Winners are grinners…. winners of the annual North West Metro Small Business Awards at Joondalup Resort.
Camera IconWinners are grinners…. winners of the annual North West Metro Small Business Awards at Joondalup Resort. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Plumber is Joondalup’s Entrepeneur of the Year

Justin BianchiniJoondalup Times

Ridgewood-based plumber Calvin Flatters (25) also won best new business at the North West Metro Small Business Awards at Joondalup Resort.

“It has been a massive time for me starting my business eight months ago and having all this (the awards) happen,” he told the Weekender.

Mr Flatters, who left school to start an apprenticeship at 16, believed his use of technology and marketing had attracted the judges’ eye.

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“I think it was the way I’m going about business, using new technology and software; it’s paperless,” he said.

“I have a marketing campaign in which I give out rubber ducks (to clients) with my logo and they can post a picture of the duck on my facebook page for a chance to win Gold Class cinema tickets every month.

“One was even posted in Nepal; my sister was volunteering there on the building of a community centre I donated some money to.”

Of all, The Good Guys are the best

Joondalup business leader Debbie Lanario paid tribute to her staff in accepting a major award.

Her store, The Good Guys Joondalup, won the award for best business with more than 15 staff.

“The award was acknowledgement of my staff and how important they take their job and engagement with the customers,” she said.

“As they say you’re only as good as your people; I found it very humbling.”

Ms Lanario said her store was collecting cans of food to give to The Spiers Centre in Heathridge in the lead-up to Christmas.

“We have a shopping trolley out the front so people can donate,” she said.

Commonwealth Bank Joondalup again was the major sponsor of the awards.

NORTH WEST METRO SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS Best new business – Calvin’s Plumbing and Gas (sponsor Choices Flooring Joondalup) Home-based business – Love Letters (sponsor First Western Realty) Customer service – John Mason Real Estate (sponsor Joondalup Resort) Best educational services – Talent Co Dance and Entertainment (sponsor Moore MHR Ian Goodenough) Best business under 15 employees – Outback Initiatives (sponsor Commonwealth Bank) Trade services – A Man at Hand (sponsor Advanced Mining and Civil) Retail – Aroma Cafe West Coast Institute of Training (sponsor Dome Warwick) Online business – CommunityToGo (sponsor Joondalup Weekender) People’s choice – West Coast Cabling Solutions (sponsor Red Cross) Best business over 15 employees – The Good Guys Joondalup (sponsor Commonwealth Bank) Entrepreneur of the Year – Calvin Flatters (sponsor Simplicity Funerals Joondalup)