An Alexandria-based dog product business was awarded best in show, walking away with the Excellence in Small Business award at the recent Sydney City Regional Business Awards.
The Excellence in Small Business category of the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards is sponsored by the City of Sydney and celebrates businesses with fewer than 20 employees that have attained significant and sustainable growth in the 2015–16 financial year.
Ivory Coat Companion Goods has grown its net profit by an impressive 2,300 per cent over the last 24 months, and will now be running for a state title.
Only in its third year, the natural dog food and grooming products company has increased its annual unit sales from 2,400 to over 250,000.
Founder and CEO Steven Deveraux-Stanford credits the win to his strategy of providing higher quality and locally produced products at a lower price point than major competitors.
“All our products are Australian-made and hypoallergenic, yet are at an equivalent price to many of the cheaper, imported products from larger companies,” Mr Deveraux-Stanford said.
“Ultimately, our success comes from producing excellent, affordable products that place the animal’s health first.
“We get constant feedback from our consumers that our products have changed the lives of their furry companions. We hope this award will help the rest of Australia realise this too.
“My team and I have worked exceptionally hard over the past couple of years and this award is great recognition for our hard work. It really inspires us to continue to do more.
“We now look forward to taking on the state awards.”
City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone said Ivory Coat Companion Goods was among a talented pool of small businesses operating in the Sydney region that took home top honours at the recent business awards.
“These awards represent the diverse mix of businesses in our local government area, which at the last floor space and employment survey saw 40 per cent of all jobs growth in metropolitan Sydney,” Ms Barone said.
“The City recognises and supports the incredible achievements of our many small-to-medium sized businesses, and our business awards have always celebrated their success stories.
“As a sponsor of the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards, the City is giving local businesses and the people behind them a fantastic opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas to the rest of the state and learn from other business leaders.
“We look forward to celebrating their talents and capabilities on the state-wide stage this November.”
Nine businesses collected awards in the Sydney City regional awards program on 21 July, judged and staged by the NSW Business Chamber and sponsored by the City.
Ivory Coat Companion Goods will join an impressive list of Sydney-based businesses competing with businesses from across the state for top honours at the 2016 NSW Business Chamber Business Awards on 25 November.
The City is a proud sponsor of the state-wide Excellence in Small Business category award, and has recently boosted its sponsorship of the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards to create an expanded regional awards program.
The expansion will allow all local businesses from 2017 to enter the Sydney City Regional Business Awards whether or not they are members of a local chamber.
The Sydney City Regional Business Awards are held each year, with applications for the 2017 awards opening in May and the finalists announced in July.
For more information on the Sydney City Region Business Awards program and how to enter, visit business-support/programs-and-seminars/business-awards or email citybusiness@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Belinda Wallis on 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au