Village honors Gordon Larsen Business Achievement Award winners
The village of Lake in the Hills is excited to announce the following winners of the 2015-16 Gordon Larsen Business Achievement Awards: home-based business Bright Star Pet Services for "Best Customer Service," DLS Internet Services, 950 E. Oak St., for "Best Employer of Choice;" and Lowe's Home Improvement, 300 N. Randall Road, for "Best Community Service."
As a resident, Gordon Larsen was influential in shaping the physical and civic landscape of Lake in the Hills and believed in philanthropic businesses whose success was attributable to exemplary service to employees, customers and the community.
"We received some great nominations this year and we're proud to see the values and principles established by Gordon Larsen continued in the community by Lake in the Hills businesses," said Village President Paul Mulcahy.
The village received over 450 nominations for 22 different storefront and home-based Lake in the Hills businesses. Nominations were accepted through Nov. 13. The winning businesses were recognized at the Jan. 14 village board meeting with certificates of recognition, category banners, and window decals. The businesses will also receive recognition throughout 2016 in various Village publications, including ad space, social media campaigns, and more. Applications and nominations for the 2016-17 Gordon Larsen Business Achievement Awards program will be accepted starting in the fall.
Best Community Service:
The majority of the 76 nominations repeatedly acknowledged Lowe's recent work to remodel the kitchen at the Turning Point Women's Shelter in Woodstock. Lowe's donated materials and labor to demo the kitchen, replace cabinets, replace the sink, and paint the kitchen walls. They also repainted and finished hallways as well. Lowe's previously won in 2014 for the Employer of Choice category. Lowe's Home Improvement, which came to the village in 2004, has 148 employees and store manager Donald Richter.
Best Customer Service:
Bright Star Pet Services, owned by Jessica Frost with three employees, offers pet sitting, walking, and training. The nominations received spoke to the above and beyond customer service provided by the business and cited personal examples in which the individuals received customized and professional care. The business, which started in 2014, does not have the foot traffic or volume of customers that storefront businesses have, but still received 16 nominations for the customer service category. This is the highest number of nominations the village has ever received for a home-based business.
Best Employer of Choice:
The nine nominations for DLS Internet Services highlighted the friendly work environment, flexibility, ongoing education, and extensive benefits offered to employees. Employees are encouraged to learn and advance skills to propel their careers, leading to a high number of past employees who have been promoted away to become senior leaders at other companies. The company, owned by Paul Maurin and Sam Rozenfeld, is celebrating its 15th year in the village and has 26 employees.
For information on the winning businesses and a sample of the nominations received, visit www.lith.org/gordenlarsen or call the village's administration department at (847) 960-7410.