Hickory recognizes 2023 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners
The City of Hickory’s 2023 Business. Well Crafted. Award winners were announced during the Hickory City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Presented by the City’s Business Development Committee (BDC), the Business. Well Crafted. Awards annually honor businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs that support and affirm the City of Hickory’s vision for economic vitality.
Congratulations to the following 2023 Business. Well Crafted. Awards winners (This is not a complete list):
Youth (25 years of age and younger)
Jose Saucedo - JS Auto Detailing
As a young Hispanic entrepreneur, Jose Saucedo started JS Auto Detailing LLC to provide superior automotive detailing services to the Hickory and surrounding areas. He is loyal to his customers and continues to work hard despite the challenges faced in the early stages of his startup. Saucedo is a very dedicated and knowledgeable entrepreneur, taking full advantage of resources that are available in the community to help him be successful. He completed the Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) Everyday Entrepreneurship Venture Fund Program, which provides grants to support CVCC students and recent graduates by helping them start and scale their own businesses.
With support from CVCC’s Small Business Center, JS Auto Detailing received grant funding to assist with business growth and sustainability. The mobile detailing company has grown into a leading competitor to other automotive detailing companies in just under two years. From 2022 to 2023, the business obtained a substantial number of customers that are serviced weekly. By August 2023, the business had doubled its revenue and increased profitability. The company’s strong business model and unique position in the market help it to be innovative and flexible for clients. The company has grown its social media presence to over 3,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, which greatly contributes to the successful marketing of its services to new and existing clients. To further his business, Saucedo has also become active in business networking groups like BNI and The Chamber of Catawba County.
Saucedo’s goal is to provide work opportunities as well as financial support to local charities, school boards, and individuals who need help to support their families. He regularly participates in local college and entrepreneurial events. Through his business, Saucedo contributes to the local economy and seeks to have a positive impact in the community.
Individual (Entrepreneur of the Year)
Leroy Kennedy - Thistle Dew Nicely Florals and Gifts
Leroy Kennedy opened Thistle Dew Nicely Florals and Gifts in November 2015. The business started slowly, but has flourished over the past two years. Growing from just one employee (Kennedy) to now employing four people, the business has reaped the benefits of the improved downtown and the recent increase in restaurants, housing, and other businesses that have extended the downtown area.
Thistle Dew Nicely offers gifts and items ranging from the “rustic to the antique” to the “modern and chic.” Most importantly, the shop has become well known for the floral arrangements available for birthdays, funerals, weddings, and other special occasions. As owner and designer of Thistle Dew Nicely, Kennedy
puts his love of flowers, family history in the floral business, and dedication to customer satisfaction into his work at the store. He personalizes each floral arrangement based on the wishes of the customer. He also works to ensure that patrons visiting the store - adults, kids, and dogs - all feel welcome and appreciated.
Kennedy loves having a business in downtown Hickory and supports the continued growth and development of downtown and the central business district. Kennedy and Thistle Dew Nicely are members of the Hickory Downtown Development Association (HDDA) and regularly participate in HDDA sponsored events like art crawls, cookie crawls, and holiday events, etc. The store participated in the downtown’s Christmas storefront decoration competition the past two years and won the competition both times.
Business and/or Organization (10 or fewer employees)
Master Tech Auto Mechanics
Specializing in the repair and maintenance of BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Mini Cooper automobiles, Master Tech Auto Mechanics prides itself on excellence, experience, and integrity. When the local automotive dealership serving those brands closed and moved to Charlotte in 2012, Master Tech Auto Mechanics opened to provide dealership quality services without the dealership markup. Since then, the company has grown from two employees generating $90,000 in sales revenue to a shop employing eight people with annual sales of $1 million.
In addition to supporting local car owners with quality service, Master Tech Auto Mechanics is committed to nurturing the automotive technician industry through apprenticeship programs. Master Tech works with three local high schools to offer its facility for their internship program. The business also works with the NCWorks NEXTGEN paid apprenticeship program and has helped with more than a dozen young adults. The business owners stated that the experience has been very rewarding to be able to mentor young people and help them develop skills that will assist them in being successful employees in a professional environment.
Master Tech also supports the community through charitable contributions. Master Tech hosted a car show fundraiser and donated 100% of the proceeds to a local primary school. The company has also purchased snacks for the school, as well as walkie talkies for the staff and more. Master Tech Auto Mechanics is currently raising funds for the school by selling artwork created by the students.