Rustic Rose nominated for provincial business award
One enterprising young woman is quickly moving up the ladder as she builds her jewelry and clothing business.
It was just three years ago when Medicine Hat College student Beth Lewis started up Rustic Rose, making affordable jewelry with a western flair. As a college student, she wanted to craft items that would be affordable for student on a shoe- string budget.
Three years later, the native of Hanna expanded her business to included clothing and competed in the Medicine Hat College’s Pub Pitch Night and the APEX Business Challenge where she earned $ 4,200 to be used for needed equipment. On June 9, 2018, she launched the western- themed apparel side of her business.
Most recently, Lewis was nominated by the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce for a 2019 Alberta Business Award of Distinction in the Young Entrepreneur category.
Lewis said she was a bit surprised when she learned of the nomination.
"When I received the e- mail letting me know that I was chosen as one of the four nominees, I was speechless. It was such an honour to be nominated for the Medicine Hat award and the Alberta nomination was really unexpected. I have received so much support from the community and my customers this year since I have expanded into apparel. To have been recognized is such an honour," said Lewis.
Lewis and Rustic Rose was just one of dozen southeast Alberta businesses nominated by the Chamber to be shortlisted for a provincial award. In total, the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce nominated 67 businesses in 10 categories.
"Our area continues to be well represented, as several businesses have been selected as finalists and winners in various categories over the last few years," said Sarah MacKenzie, Chamber president.
"The Chamber of Commerce is incredibly proud to nominate each of these businesses and have them represented at the 2019 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, allowing us to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments of our region through recognition at a provincial level."
Finalists from southeast Alberta include:
Customer Service Award of Distinction
- Hiebert Cabinets and Fine Woodwork
- Silver Lake Sod Farm 2017 Ltd. Diversity Award of Distinction
- Big Marble Farms Mentorship Award of Distinction
- Mavericks Baseball Club
- South Country Co- op Limited Global Growth Award of Distinction
- Parrish and Heimbecker
- Methanex Leading Edge Award of Distinction
- Kinetisense Marketing Award of Distinction
- Safety Buzz ETC Ltd.
Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction
- Rustic Rose
The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction was started in 1992 by Alberta Economic Development and Tourism. In 1996, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce took over the management and presentation of the awards.
To date, over 300 companies have been named Alberta Business Award of Distinction recipients.
The 2019 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction will be held in Edmonton on March 1, 2019.