ASHLAND — The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce recognized 11 local businesses Thursday evening at its largest ever member awards banquet.
Approximately 500 people attended the annual celebration at Ashland University’s John C. Myers Convocation Center to honor 11 noteworthy businesses, including Z’s Hair Design as small business of the year.
“This award really helps solidify the hard work that goes into having a small business. The grind all day, all month sometimes that goes into it,” said owner of Z’s Hair Design Hillary Heydinger.
Her Aunt Sherry Zarnstorff opened the salon at 1011 East Main St. in 1997, and Heydinger purchased it two years ago. She had been doing hair professionally in the early 2000s, but her passion was clear from childhood. She’d practice her skills on manikins and willing family members.
“We joked, I’ve always been the exit plan for my aunt,” Heydinger said.
Other awards were presented to the following businesses: Centerra Co-Op for Agriculture, Kiwanis Club of Ashland for Culture and Recreation, OhioHealth for Health and Medical Services, Ashland Parenting Plus for Social Services, SJE Rhombus for Industrial Business, Smetz’s Tire and Service Center for Retail Business, Olivesburg General Store for Speciality Store, Advantage Marketing for Sales and Marketing Services, Thiel’s Replacement Services for Commercial and Residential Services and Sutton Bank for Professional Services.
The winners were chosen from 32 finalists and 68 nominees.
The annual member awards are open to any businesses and organizations that are members of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and have not been a recipient of the award in the past five years. Nominations come from the community, and if the nominee chooses to pursue the award, they are required to submit a packet of information supporting their eligibility.
A judging committee — consisting of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce leadership team — then judges the submissions based on business performance and standing, customer service strategies and practices, community involvement and promotion of Ashland County and the surrounding area.
