Top Business Awards: How Small Businesses Become Award Winners

Many entrepreneurs and business owners only dream of winning top business awards. To actually do so, however, you need to believe in yourself and start submitting nominations on your own behalf. This guide explains everything you need to know to give your company, your team, and yourself the chance you deserve to capture that long-awaited brass ring.

Why top business awards matter

Winning small business awards gives you a powerful megaphone with which to announce your business’s greatness to the world. But that’s not all. People actually believe a business is truly great when it has won a business competition or possesses some other kind of certification to prove it. That’s because, when disinterested, independent awards organizations give you a favorable ranking, they essentially vouch for you and your business.

This outside endorsement impresses consumers — as well as prospective business partners and investors — much more than the business’s own advertising does. Moreover, customers naturally become curious about award-winning products or services and want to try them for themselves.

Indeed, research shows that business award winners see an increase in profitability. Moreover, this positive effect persists for years after the company emerged from the competition in the number one spot. Once a prestigious award has been secured, it remains secure for all time.

Nominations give you a chance to recognize and celebrate excellence

When people learn that their boss thinks so highly of their work that they nominated them for an award, it makes them feel appreciated and boosts their morale. When they learn that their hard work and dedication set them above their peers at rival establishments, they feel even more seen and validated. As a result, they apply themselves to their work more than ever.

Notably, the aforementioned research shows that winning honors of this kind gives staff members renewed motivation. They rededicate themselves to the mission and attack their work with passion.

Moreover, attending awards ceremonies and participating in these excellence programs often helps you network with other business leaders in your local community or particular industry. This is another great reason to participate, since everyone gets to take advantage of these opportunities, not just the winners.

Prestigious business awards, industry prizes, and award categories

While it’s natural to want to be named among America’s top 100 or take home the trophy from major international business awards, most companies will want to start on the regional level and build up a track record of success first. That’s why it makes sense to check with your Chamber of Commerce to see what contests they might hold to elevate local businesses.

Some organizations, such as the Stevie Awards, are structured with geography explicitly in mind. The Stevies name finalists in the U.S. separately from those in the Middle East and North Africa or Asia, as well as globally.

This business award program recognizes companies for their outstanding achievements in dozens of categories and subcategories. For instance, the American Business Awards offers multiple competitions in customer service, marketing, technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, among others. If you host or produce a podcast, take note: The Stevies have opened new categories specifically for your show starting in 2025.

Other awards programs salute the best workplaces, new products, customer experience touchpoints, and many other aspects of running a successful business. Likewise, trade associations often uplift their sector by issuing awards.

Judges and deadlines 101

To figure out which contests would be best to enter, think back over the previous year. What notable achievements did your business successfully complete? What innovations did you bring to market? What new market segments did you bring your excellent products or services to? What parts of your company do you wish more people understood? Go after prizes that would attract attention to those aspects of your business in which you innovate and excel.

Fear that your small business would be like David going up against Goliath? The good news is that many business excellence programs offer separate competitions for large, small, and medium-sized companies, recognizing that it would be unfair to pit local outfits or startups against established global businesses.

However, most business excellence awards are only open for submissions for a couple of months each year, usually in the fall or early winter. That’s just around the corner, so now is the time to start assembling your materials. Keep in mind that the fees involved in becoming an applicant are usually the lowest if you get your file in early.

Take your business to the next level: Become an award winner in 2025

The best companies win awards, and so should you.

Acknowledge your business’s strengths. Assemble an application that showcases your business’s commitment to excellence and unique contributions. Gain the credibility you deserve. Nominate yourself, your team members, and your business for awards in 2025!