Being a new business, we were surprised by The Well’s nomination and even more so when we became finalists in 2025! While the application process is quite involved, it is worth the effort. It gave us a chance to really deep dive into aspects of the business we don’t normally investigate or dissect and assess what’s working well and which areas need work. The awards give you a sense of joy and achievement that someone in the business world acknowledges you are doing a good job! An added bonus is meeting and workshopping with other business owners through the info sessions and Gala Night.

The Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards provided me with a rare opportunity to pause and examine how our business truly creates value. The application process required me to think through strategy, outcomes, and the real impact of our work. For Grantus, that mirrors the work we do with clients - but I hadn't done it for ourselves. Preparing the submission was a valuable exercise in reflection. Winning the 2025 Professional Services Award was a great outcome, but the real benefit of the process was gaining greater clarity and confidence to lead and grow the business.

Participating in the Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards for the first time was a meaningful milestone for Alevo. As a Ballarat-based manufacturer that has been designing and producing treatment tables for more than 35 years, the process gave us the opportunity to reflect on the journey of our business and the legacy behind what we do. Preparing the application encouraged us to look closely at our history, our innovation, and the impact our products have on healthcare professionals and patients. It was also a great way to connect with and celebrate the strength of the Ballarat business community. We encourage other local businesses to get involved and share their stories.