Any for-profit business performing services or manufacturing goods and active in the Tustin community is eligible to be nominated for this prestigious award. The Selection Committee reviewed all the applications received. The evaluation criteria is based on the nominee’s community service, community involvement, business practices and environmental stewardship.
LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY RECIPIENT
Doctor’s Ambulance Service is celebrating over 33 years of caring for Orange County residents and visitors. Doctor’s Ambulance provides basic life support transport, neonatal transport, specialty care transport and 9-1-1 emergency transport. Collaborative efforts with the Orange County Fire Authority, Laguna Beach Fire Department, facilities and communities in Orange County, Doctor’s Ambulance provides the highest level of care and transportation needs.
SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY RECIPIENT
FastFrame of Tustin provides high quality custom picture framing services and has long standing relationships with many clients who recognize their exceptional devotion to customer service. They are active members of the community and support numerous fundraising events for numerous organizations. They are also regular donors of gift certificates and prizes to help celebrate local achievements.
BUSINESS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Comerica Bank focuses on relationships and helping businesses and people be successful. They have a strict corporate code of ethics and requires annual training for its employees. Comerica Bank is a recognized leader in funding community development funds in California’s major metropolitan areas and has funded initiatives to stimulate growth of women-owned, Hispanic, Asian and African-American businesses.
NOMINEES
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
1. Best Buy strives to inspire brand, customer and employee loyalty by developing effective partnerships to strengthen the communities where they operate. Best Buy sponsors events for American Legion Post 227 and the Best Buy Children’s Foundation, which has donated in excess of $1.5 million over the past three years in the form of Tag Team Awards to local schools in need.
3. Vestar Development began serving the community in 2005. Among its many contributions as a retail developer, The District at Tustin Legacy has created 2,000 construction jobs and will create 1,800 new retail jobs in the Orange County market. Vestar has sponsored a number of good causes such as education, sportsmanship, helping people in need, drug awareness programs, among others.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
4. Sandwich Box has been in business since May 2006 and provides a wide variety of sandwiches made fresh from the finest ingredients. The restaurant provides a bright and happy environment for its customers and practices environmental awareness on a daily basis. The Sandwich Box was recently featured by Coastal Magazine. The new owner is in the process of learning more about the community and getting involved in some community events.
BUSINESS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
1. Dream Dinners is a unique company founded on a mission of bringing families together around the dinner table. They’ve made a difference in our local community by supporting programs for children and families. Their goal is to work with Tustin organizations to help parents, educators, coaches, program leaders and other community members to provide high-quality educational and extracurricular programs for children.
2. Juice It Up! is a juice bar that provides healthy juices, snacks and bagels in a fun and lively environment for the entire family. Although a new business in Tustin, the company believes in giving back to the community. They have already donated products and services to various local events and school activities and are sponsors of several soccer teams.
3. Quinn’s Old Town Grill is a full service restaurant that serves high quality delicious foods and beverages in a friendly atmosphere. Quinn’s has created a “Cheers” type environment where guests can gather and enjoy conversation and camaraderie, is committed to revitalizing Old Town and preserving its rich history and tradition, and has given back to the community and various organizations through gift certificate donations.
4. Roderick’s is a family owned full service restaurant with a friendly and professional staff. Roderick’s has established a relationship with various community organizations and hosted several events at its facility at no cost to the organizations. Roderick’s has also participated in several local events, has worked many volunteer hours, regularly provides complementary food and service to non-profit groups, and donates gift certificates.
5. Soul at Home offers products and services with a holistic focus, blending the best of Western and Eastern philosophies. It is its goal to be a community center for wellness in the heart of Tustin. Soul at Home has supported the community by donating gift baskets to be raffled for local fundraisers, provides free yoga classes to high functioning autistic middle school age children on a weekly basis, and free pre-natal and post-natal classes to moms and soon-to-be-moms from a local shelter.
