(BBB Central Ohio)
Better Business Bureau Central Ohio is proud to announce and celebrate the finalists and recipients of the 2023 Torch Awards, Spark Awards, and Students of Integrity Scholarships. Recipients were announced at BBB’s annual Toast to Trusted Leaders gala, powered by BBB’s Center for Character Ethics. The central Ohio community raised a glass to Trust on October 18, 2023, at The Bluestone in honor of these ethical businesses, outstanding community leaders, and future leaders.
Congratulations to our finalists and winners for their unwavering dedication and positive impact on our community. Take a moment to explore these businesses and be sure to share your support of them going forward.
Enjoy images of the festivities captured.
Torch Award for Ethics
BBB Torch Award for Ethics was established to publicly recognize local companies that have practices in place that elevate their commitment to ethical business. This year, 27 finalists were chosen, from which four final winners were selected.
BBB Torch Awards for Ethics winners demonstrate a high level of Character; foster an authentic Culture; generate trust with their Customers; and make an impact with their Community. These “four C’s” are the basis for the Torch Awards selections.
The 2023 Torch Award for Ethics Winners are:
Acloché provides HR services, employee training, and innovative staffing solutions for regular and temporary employment in a wide array of business environments. With more than 50 years of experience as a full-service workforce solutions agency, Acloché connects local employers and job seekers throughout central Ohio. “At Acloché, we know people.”
Acloché's core vision and business function revolve around three essential relationships: clients, associates, and employees. Clients perceive Acloché as an indispensable extension of their businesses, relying on them as experts in workforce recruitment and development. Acloché is committed to going above and beyond just “filling an order” for their clients and is intentional about gaining a thorough understanding of each client's goals.
Associates consider Acloché an advocate for their career goals, matching them with suitable positions and providing career advancement. Acloché ensures that associates know their worth and are paired with a compatible employer that provides growth for their future. Internal employees find Acloché a place for professional development, with rewards tied to solving client challenges. Acloché is committed to sustainable and intelligent expansion, focusing on success and profitability, and aims to be a model of high performance, with a clear structure, collaboration, and technology investment driving its vision forward.
Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, Inc
Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, Inc takes pride in being central Ohio’s trusted HVAC Trane Dealer. Their expertise lies in the installation and maintenance of both residential and commercial HVAC Systems, including advanced solutions like Geo-Thermal, Navien, and Generac Generators. With a commitment to excellence, Advanced Heating and Cooling Services prioritizes doing what's right for consumers, tailored to their specific needs.
Their motto? “Don't just repair the furnace - make the area around it cleaner than before, polish the furnace, take the trash out for the customer. We have had calls from people who have seen our vans stopping to help people in accidents. Sometimes they just might listen to an elderly customer talk for a bit and we make sure we don't charge that customer for the time.”
Community support is at the heart of Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, proudly sponsoring various local events, from the Summer Concert Series to the Hospice Halloween Ball, to organizing events like Good Neighbor Day for town clean-ups, and participating in philanthropic activities like Bowl for Kids Sake, Festival of Trees, and the Carr Center Cake Auction. Their community commitment also extends to preventive maintenance for the local Battered Women's Shelter Transitions, sponsoring the Salvation Army Red Kettle, and offering scholarships for skilled trades education.
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians provides round-the-clock live answering, convenient online scheduling, and reliable, expert services in plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, water heater repair, drain and sewer, and water treatment throughout greater Columbus and central Ohio.
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians employ various strategies to unite their team around their mission and core values, fostering a sense of purpose and understanding among team members. Visual aids display the company's mission statement, core values, and guarantees, serving as constant reminders of their goals and commitment. Internal communications are a crucial aspect of their company culture, with regular one-on-one and quarterly conversations between team members and managers. Company meetings and morning huddles communicate long-term and short-term goals, foster motivation, and celebrate achievements while maintaining transparency and empowerment.
Eco Plumbers University is an integral dedicated training program designed to educate and empower the company’s new plumbing professionals with high level technical training on Eco’s unique service system, creating both a rewarding career and well educated and responsible services to consumers. The company also emphasizes celebrating individual and company achievements, utilizing tools like Bonusly to recognize and reward team members for their contributions and customer reviews. These practices contribute to Eco's strong organizational culture, alignment, motivation, and commitment to their mission and core values, ultimately fostering individual and collective growth within the company.
Petland, Inc. began in 1967 as a single pet store on South Paint Street in Chillicothe, Ohio. Since then, it has evolved into a global organization, spanning over 300 operations across eight countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, El Salvador, and Saudi Arabia, as well as nearly 24 U.S. states. At the heart of Petland's mission is the commitment to match the right pet with the right customer, nurturing the unique bond between humans and animals. This vision was the brainchild of its founder, Ed Kunzelman, who aimed to create a positive and enriching experience for visitors to his store. Petland's mission now extends to enhancing the knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond for those who already have pets.
Employees are recognized for their achievements in sales, community engagement, and customer service. Through Petland Charities, the organization and its employees actively champion various causes, including ending inhumane breeding practices in the pet industry, supporting rescues and shelters, combating pet homelessness, and facilitating meaningful connections between pets and people. Petland has made a substantial impact through initiatives such as granting nearly 1000 “Make a Wish” requests for children, supporting service dogs for veterans, providing for police K9 service dogs, aiding abandoned or unwanted pets, and raising significant funds for St. Jude's Research Hospital. Petland's commitment to community service is integral to its corporate-owned stores, with employees and teams regularly engaging in activities that support local charities, animal rescues, and shelters. This dedication to both its customers and the broader community underscores Petland's mission to promote the well-being and happiness of pets and their human companions.
BBB’s 2023 Torch Award for Ethics finalists are:
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians
Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, Inc
Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana
The Law Office of David G. Bale
Precision Slate and Tile Roofing Company
Richardson Marketing Group, LLC
Universal Windows Direct of Columbus
Body Ache Escape Massage Center
DPG Senior Signature Solutions
The Law Office of Dmitriy Borshchak
Spark Awards
The BBB Spark Awards recognize entrepreneurs 35 years old and under or those in business for three years or less who demonstrate high character, authentic culture, and connect with the community.
This year’s winners are:
Abundant You Chiropractic & Wellness
Third Street Digital is a pioneering all-women digital agency with standout commitment to a people-first approach. The agency's exceptional character and culture are underpinned by 11 core values: Trust & Transparency, Education, Community Impact, Innovation, Data & Analysis, Partnership, and Evolution. These values are the foundation for its unique environment of trust and open communication. Their dedication to internal growth, including educational stipends and a balanced work-life approach, has been instrumental in fostering a thriving team. Their physical office space serves as a hub for camaraderie, embracing flexibility and autonomy while promoting accountability, further strengthening their culture of trust.
What truly sets Third Street Digital apart is their unwavering commitment to the community. Actively engaging with non-profit organizations and local efforts, they offer their digital expertise to create meaningful impact. The organization’s own Pixie Partner Program is a unique initiative supporting minority-owned businesses, non-profits, and organizations by providing education, training, and strategic guidance related to digital advertising and marketing. Third Street Digital’s culture embraces giving back, with many team members volunteering with various organizations, showing that community focus is not just an initiative but an integral part of their daily operations.
Waymakers Restoration is a distinguished emergency services restoration company specializing in emergency water and fire cleanup in Central Ohio. At the company’s heart is a profound commitment to character. Their leader sets a powerful example, emphasizing the importance of serving and loving people. They embrace values like transparency, honesty, and going the extra mile, which are not just words but the foundation of their identity. The company's unique hiring mantra, "Don't lie, don't steal, be loyal," ensures that their team is aligned with their character-driven approach. This focus on character extends to relationships with clients, where they treat every customer as family, regardless of circumstances, ensuring lasting impressions and outstanding reviews.
This focus on character not only translates to the high-quality service they provide but also to their commitment to the community. The company’s WayMakers Foundation helps single parents, widows, domestic violence survivors, and individuals in need by providing essential items. They also conduct blanket drives, school supplies drives, and volunteer to assist veterans. Waymakers Restoration's success is not just about what they do but who they are as a company, embodying the spirit of being a true WayMaker.
E&E Tea Co., the purveyor of high-quality organic loose leaf and herbal teas, exemplifies a winning blend of character, culture, and community engagement. The company's leadership, steeped in transparency and a commitment to personal growth, fosters a culture of trust and continual improvement. They actively seek feedback from team members, contractors, volunteers, and customers, showcasing their genuine desire to provide the best for all involved.
Their dedicated small team, including family members and supporting entrepreneurs, collaborates to achieve common goals and give back to various communities. E&E Tea Co.'s focus on healing and well-being extends through their support of organizations like Enduring Minds, the Black Magic Burlesque show, Pilot Dogs Inc., ROX Ruling Our Experience Girls group, and Fallen 15. E&E Tea Co. doesn't just offer a perfect cup of tea; they infuse their positive impact and dedication to holistic well-being throughout the central Ohio community.
Abundant You Chiropractic & Wellness is not just a healthcare provider. They're a vital force, nurturing the well-being of their patients and community. Their commitment to character, transparency, and ethics, combined with their focus on continuous improvement, has created a trusted and patient-centered chiropractic office.
Their active involvement in the community reflects their dedication to promoting health and well-being beyond their practice - creating a story of transformation, impact, and wellness.
Abundant You offers complimentary services such as spinal screenings and educational workshops, donates to local charities, and pursues strategic community partnerships. The clinic actively collaborates with local organizations, healthcare providers, and wellness professionals to address community health challenges, promote preventive care, and provide comprehensive support systems for individuals in need.
Students of Integrity Scholarship
The Students of Integrity Scholarship annually recognizes 10 local high school seniors who exhibit high character through leadership, community service, integrity, and academic performance. Each of the following students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice:
Alexa Morales-Lopez, Bishop Ready High School
Arya Chabria, Columbus Academy
Connor Fulton, London High School
Emma Lucas, Federal Hocking High School
Kaitlyn Hughes, Grove City High School
Kaleb Randall, Fredericktown High School
Kenzie Hannahs, Northridge High School
Nathaniel Palaia, South-Western Career Academy
Reese Cordonnier, Marysville High School
Trinity Gayle, Metro Early College High School
About BBB Center for Character Ethics
BBB’s Center for Character Ethics is a non-profit organization focused on serving businesses, social enterprises, startups, and non-profit organizations. Our mission is to provide assessment, training, and recognition programs for current and future leaders who are intentional about character, culture, customers, and community.
Explore here for more information or to apply for an award.