ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - We continue to take a look at the finalists for the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Gala. Tonight we take a look at the Small Business of the Year Award sponsored by Citizens National Bank. Those nominated are:
The owner of Beauty by Jill, Jill Bakies, is a Lima native and graduated from Apollo Career Center's cosmetology program. She became a licensed cosmetologist at the age of 17 and opened her own salon 10 years later in downtown Lima. Beauty by Jill is a full-service salon and spa offering over 50 services and having trained some of the most successful stylists in the region. Bakies says she is dedicated to being a staple in the Lima community.
Jessika Phillips started the NOW Marketing Group as a way to serve, not sell, to the more than 100 clients they have across the United States and beyond. Named as one of the top global rising stars in social media to watch, Phillips has also founded Magnet Marketers and the relationship marketing system. She believes that her methods can help provide real solutions for businesses. They have grown from just social media marketing to including web design, video production, and advertising management.
They took a failing business and turned it around into a 2-million-dollar operation serving the Lima Allen County region. ServiceMaster "At YOUR Service," owned by Mike and Beth Kleman, started with 5 employees and currently employs more than 50 technicians and support staff with a fleet of 20 yellow ServiceMaster vehicles serving the area. Last December, they celebrated 25 years of business serving the Greater Lima Region.
The winner will be announced at the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce's Gala event on May 1st at the UNOH Event Center.
