HHI-Bluffton Chamber honors top small businesses | Business

By Jaime Dailey - bio | email

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (WTOC) - Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and on Wednesday, several of the lowcountry's finest were honored on Hilton Head Island during a special luncheon at the Country Club of Hilton Head.

For the first time, The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce announced two winners for the Small Business of the Year Award, Beach Properties of Hilton Head and Collins Group Realty.

"This is an amazing honor," said Chip Collins, Collins Group Realty. "The economy is so much driven by small businesses and we feel like this is a wonderful representation of that today. We're a hard working company and to be recognized and honored by the chamber is a real treat."

"It's a great honor for us," said Ray Malonem, Beach Properties of Hilton Head. "Linda and I started the business 17 years ago and we never imagined it would get up to 300 properties that we would be managing and that we would have such a dynamic staff. We are thrilled to be part of the business community and thrilled to get the award."

Both companies say one of the secrets to their success is putting their customers first.

"We do whatever it takes to make the guests happy," said Malone. "Satisfied guests do come back and stay with us over and over."

"They certainly go above and beyond in customer service. Going above and beyond is what they do for our community," said The Chamber's CEO, Bill Miles.

The event's keynote speaker was Darlene Miller. She is the President and CEO of Permac Industries and a past national winner of the U.S. Chamber's Small Business of the Year. Miller also serves on President Obama's Jobs Council. She spoke about the power of believing and where it can take you.

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