Awards

La Mia Felicità Wins 2008 Business Excellence Award

I am very proud to announce that La Mia Felicità has won the 2008 NHBR Business Excellence Award.  The New Hampshire Business Review (NHBR) honors businesses and organizations with 100 employees or less with this annual award.  As their web site states, these companies are selected by an independent judging panel, and are being recognized for their imagination, industriousness, innovation, achievements and contributions to the community and the state.  I'm sure that it was not easy to select the winners as there were over 60 nominations this year to review. 

Needless to say, Cathy was extremely surprised at the announcement and honored to be in such fine company as all of the other winners and nominees.  I think most of us know how hard Cathy works at the store to try to provide quality products and classes, a high level of customer service, as well as maintaining a fun atmosphere at the store.  Although she does all of this because of her love for the art, and not for any type of recognition, it is nice that her efforts have been recognized by the business community.  I applaud her.

Below is the introduction that the Master of Ceremonies shared at the announcement of Cathy's award.  I thought I would share it with you because I think it does a great job at summarizing Cathy's business methodology (and because it will embarrass her a little bit):

"Beads have been an expression of creativity, beauty and wealth since mankind climbed down from trees.  Cathy and her bead shop and studio La Mia Felicita has captured all of those ideals.

Starting with the name, which means "My Happiness," she makes a statement for the passion she has for beading but also for spreading that happiness to her customers as they learn about making jewelry.

But the happiness Cathy shares goes far beyond her studio. She has created a program where customers can create a piece of jewelry then leave it at the shop so Cathy can donate it to Dress for Success, an organization supporting disadvantaged women by offering professional attire and career development. She also encourages her customers to help create beads that are donated to Beads for Courage, helping children cope with serious illness by using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of achievement during their treatment.

Cathy also donates her time and talent to such organizations as the NH Food Bank, Toys for Tots, NH SPCA as well as many other women's and children's charities.

Cathy's expression of happiness has touched so many others, so we have named her our 2008 Excellence in Retail winner. "

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La Mia Felicità is a 2007 Business Excellence Award Nominee

I wanted to share this story, because I am so proud of my wife.  Cathy was selected as one of the 2007 Excellence in Business award nominees.  This award is presented by the New Hampshire Business Review, and honors small business owners for their  innovation, imagination, industriousness, and achievements.

"All nominees represent amazing success stories," said Sharron McCarthy, publisher of McLean Communications, parent company of the Business Review. "There is just so much talent in New Hampshire. It continues to impress me and even helps me learn what is possible."

Although Cathy was not selected as one of this year's winners, we are all proud of her and the fact that she was selected as one of the nominees for such a prestigious award.  Cathy was excited at the nomination and to be included in such fine company and wonderfully talented people as the other nominees and winners.  I have to take a moment to say that I am proud of my wife, her business ethics, her sense of customer service, her passion for her business, and her desire to give back to the community. To me, that will always make her a winner.