The Tampa Bay Chamber proudly announced the winners of the 2023 Small Business of the Year Awards on November 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino Tampa. Congratulations to BoylenPoint Contender Dealership, named Startup Business of the Year; Paragon Cyber Solutions, named Small Business of the Year 5-20 Employees Category; Bake More Pies Digital Marketing Agency, named Small Business of the Year 21-50 Employees Category; Mid Florida Armored & ATM Services, named Small Business of the Year 51-250 Employees Category; and Robert J. Clark, Jr. President of Tampa Steel Erecting Company, named Outstanding Small Business Leader of the Year.
More than 500 guests gathered to celebrate small businesses, which represent a vital part of the local economy. The tradition dating back to 1980, now draws approximately 400 nominations annually. This year, 20 small businesses made it to the final round of reviews, whereby more than 50 judges and SBOY committee volunteers reviewed company finances, community involvement and ethical business practices. This year’s signature event was presented by Adcock Financial and Vistra Communications.
Here’s a closer look at the 2023 SBOY winners:
Startup: BoylenPoint Contender Dealership
As the official dealers for Contender Boats, BoylenPoint Contender Dealership is a family-owned business based in St. Petersburg. The BoylenPoint team walks customers through the process of building their “dream boat” - from the design phase with the customer, to order placement with Contender, to factory inspection and delivery. BoylenPoint, also specializing in boat maintenance and mechanics, serves as a subject expert on inshore and offshore fishing.
5–20 Employees: Paragon Cyber Solutions, LLC.
Paragon Cyber Solutions is a minority-owned, veteran-owned, woman-owned business with more than 20 years of specialized experience in security assessments, cybersecurity services, and technical engineering for mission support and execution. Paragon is known for providing customized solutions to reduce clients’ risk of exposure to cyber-attacks, while strengthening the client’s security infrastructure. Paragon’s Founder and CEO is a member of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator 2024 Cohort.
21–50 Employees: Bake More Pies
Bake More Pies (BMP) is an all-inclusive marketing agency, established on the principal that superior work at exceptional value enables all stakeholders to metaphorically “bake more pies.” The BMP team specializes in innovative digital content creation, including development of an advanced XR production studio for video content and content delivery that seamlessly integrates into client campaigns.
51–250 Employees: MidFlorida Armored & ATM Services, Inc.
MidFlorida Armored & ATM Services is a locally, minority-owned & operated business. Starting in 2002 in Tampa, the company has grown to more than 60 employees, 60 armored vehicles and a service area now spanning the entire state of Florida. MidFlorida serves the financial needs of customers on a variety of levels, from streamlining business flow to embracing technology, including the use of GPS/camera system on every armored vehicle.
Outstanding Leader: Robert J. Clark, Jr. – Tampa Steel Erecting Company
Robert J. Clark, Jr. is the President of Tampa Steel Erecting Co., which is Florida’s oldest remaining steel fabricator, founded 77 years ago. Among the many highlights of Clark’s long career is the fabrication of EPCOT's Spaceship Earth at the Walt Disney World Resort. In 1995, Engineering News Record named it one of 125 most significant structures ever built. Clark has also been recognized for numerous award-winning bridges during his storied career. In the community, he is known for his work as the Executive Director of Miss Tampa Pageant in the Miss America System for 30 years.
Congratulations to all 2023 winners, as well as finalists! During the 43rd annual SBOY awards ceremony, winners’ acceptance speeches were incredibly emotional and brought many guests to their feet with applause and hugs. To enjoy the acceptance speeches for yourself, visit our Chamber website for updates in the coming days including video clips and photo gallery.
About the Tampa Bay chamber: The Tampa Bay Chamber has been serving the region since 1885. A not-for-profit membership organization, it currently serves approximately 1,400 member companies of all sizes and industries and is among the 2% of chambers in the nation with a 5-star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.