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Love of job, community a recurring theme at Parksville business awards

About 200 people were on hand Thursday night for the Parksville and District Business Awards
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The Parksville and District Business Awards were handed out Thursday night at Tigh-Na-Mara. The winners were

Dave Paul will remember your name.

And likely what you drink. Perhaps he will sing a song. His face will be inviting and friendly. He will be full of knowledge about what his facility has to offer, and what else you can do for fun in the community. He will be at your table promptly when you need him, invisible when you don't.

If you have ever dined at Pacific Prime Restaurant at The Beach Club in Parksville, you will know why Paul was honoured Thursday night with the Outstanding Customer Service Award at the Parksville and District Business Awards dinner.

Paul grew up on a farm outside Ottawa and moved west to work in Whistler. He's been in the service industry for 26 years.

"I learned about service and I learned about balance — balance in my lifestyle," Paul said to a crowd of about 200 people at Tigh-Na-Mara, most notably his

10 year-old daughter Morgan, the publisher of the Whisker Weekly, a newsletter dedicated to all things feline. Morgan was doing some networking with the chamber crowd before the awards.

"I love my life, I love my job — it really enriches life when you love your job," said Dave Paul.

Kristy Lotzien of Soak Essentials, the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, expressed similar thoughts in her acceptance speech.

"I'm really fortunate to do what I love, every single day," said Lotzien.

Isle Golf Cars was the winner of the Business of the Year Award (fewer than 15 employees).

"We're happy to be part of this community, happy to help out," said Isle Golf Cars president Ron Chiovetti.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort and Spa was selected as the Business of the Year (more than 15 employees). General manager Paul Drummond spoke about the unique partnerships the resort has in the community, sometimes with other resorts, to produce events that either drum up business for all, or help the less fortunate in our society, events like the Party on the Drive and the Toy Drive Breakfast.

"What is normally competition, we've partnered with," said Drummond.

The awards are sponsored by the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce, The Parksville Qualicum Beach News, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, Vancouver Island University and Coastal Community Credit Union.

Here's a list of all the finalists:

Outstanding Customer Service: Suzanne Hedges (Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort), Lois House (Quality Foods), Dave Paul (The Beach Club Resort).

Entrepreneur: Kristy Lotzien (Soak Essentials), Marieke Nijenhuis and Adam Skriver (Coastal Cake Company), Kyle Johnson, Ryan Quinney and Antonio Zanchetta (PASS Woodwinds — Junior Achievement B.C. Business Challenge).

Business of the Year, under 15 employees: Bosley's, Isle Golf Cars, Nanoose Business Service Directory.

Business of the Year, over 15 employees: Eat Fresh Urban Market, Joe Cunningham Ford (2012) Ltd., Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort.