Consumer picks
Several North Shore companies have been honoured with 2013 Vancouver Consumer Choice Awards.
The annual awards recognize business excellence by using third-party market research to select top-ranked companies within a number of industries.
This year's local winners include the Cruikshank Advisory Group Ltd. at 5117 Francisco Court (business category); Dermal Laser Centres at 101-1940 Lonsdale Ave. (health and fitness category); Beyond Beige Interior Design at 1121 W. 15th St. (home category); and Craftsman Collision at 810 W. 1st St. (transportation category).
Leading landscaper
A North Vancouver landscaping company has been awarded the 2013 Best of Remodeling award by Houzz, an online platform for home remodeling and design.
The Great Canadian Landscaping Company, which has been operating on the North Shore for 13 years, was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that make up the Houzz community.
The Houzz Best of Remodeling award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design.
Appeal to Oprah
Vancouver-based feminine products maker Lunapads were angling for the attention of Oprah Winfrey when she visited Vancouver on Jan. 24.
In honour of her visit, Lunapads founders Madeleine Shaw and Suzanne Siemens, a North Shore resident, decided to donate 400 washable menstrual pad and panty kits to girls in South Africa.
Using the Twitter hashtag #Pads4Oprah they enlisted the support of their fan base to attract Winfrey's attention and interest in socially challenging topics.
UNICEF reports that in countries where menstrual hygiene is taboo, girls in puberty are typically absent for 20 per cent of the school year.
"The issue of keeping girls in school matters so much, and providing them with adequate menstrual products is such an easy way to make this happen," says Shaw.
In addition to making and selling their signature collection of natural menstrual products to North American green and health conscious consumers, Lunapads, in partnership with AFRIpads, has helped more than 120,000 girls receive reusable supplies through their Pads4Girls and One4Her programs.
Rental awards
Karyn Bruschinsky, of Pike's Rentals in North Vancouver, has been honoured by the Canadian Rental Association.
Bruschinsky won the BC Regional Award at the association's regional trade show held at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition in Surrey. The two-day event featured a variety of exhibitors showcasing rental products, tools, equipment and services available through stores and suppliers across the province.
Awards were handed out Jan. 11 at a banquet that drew more than 130 people.
West Van opening
Wakefield Home Builders, a company that has been building on the Sunshine Coast for 10 years, has just opened an office on Marine Drive in West Vancouver.
Wakefield Home Builders is a Deep Green construction company founded in Sechelt, B.C. The company is a member of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association and currently has over 60 employees working in Sechelt, West Vancouver and Whistler.
The company also recently announced the consolidation of Wakefield Marine Services with Hanson Marine Services, forming the new company, Wakefield Hanson Marine Services, a subsidiary of Wakefield Construction Inc.
The new venture will perform services related to marine consultation, design and construction.
- Compiled by Christine Lyon To submit information on North Shore business groups or events to our Briefcase section, email [email protected].
