On Thursday, November 6, the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade recognized nine winners at their 27th annual Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards, with Presenting Sponsors DP World Canada, TD Bank and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Over 400 people attended the event with Master of Ceremonies Baneet Braich of CBC leading the program.
“The Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards celebrate the entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who are driving our region forward,” said Joslyn Young, CEO of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade. “Each winner reflects the creativity, resilience, and community spirit that make Surrey and White Rock such dynamic places to do business.”
The judging team’s evaluation assessed the following competencies: organizational profile, leadership, strategy development and planning, customer focus and market knowledge, employee learning and people focus, process management, supplier/partner focus, community involvement, and overall business performance.
2025 Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Award Winners:
Business Person of the Year: Kendelle Pollitt, Pier Law & Mediation
Sponsored by Hamilton Duncan
Kendelle Pollitt launched her family law practice in 2019. Her leadership resulted in extraordinary growth: the firm scaled from a solo practice to four locations across BC, earning it national recognition as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies by The Globe and Mail in 2024 and 2025. She founded the Let’s Talk Resilience Initiative for lawyers’ wellness and is a dedicated philanthropist, donating significantly to local charities and causes. She also actively supports education by creating recurring scholarships for Surrey high school and Thompson Rivers University law students.
Surrey Business Excellence Winner with 1-10 Employees: Ignite Dance Company
Sponsored by Abbotsford International Airport
Since 2020, Ignite Dance Company has been empowering dancers of all ages to discover their creativity, build confidence, and grow through movement. Its classes include ballet, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance for beginners to competitive and professional dancers. It has recently opened a fourth studio, being awarded the Peace Arch Newspaper’s Reader’s Choice Award for four consecutive years, and achieving multiple awards for outstanding choreography and top placements in regional and national competitions. These are testaments to the company’s commitment to excellence, the quality of its instruction, and the vibrant, supportive community it has built.
Surrey Business Excellence Winner with 11 – 40 Employees: Square One Construction
Sponsored by FortisBC
Square One Construction is a full-service company specializing in high-end renovations and custom home builds across Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast. Known for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, they deliver personalized homes based on the core values of integrity, quality, and teamwork. The development of its innovative, real-time client portal gives homeowners 24/7 access to schedules, budgets, timesheets, and documentation. This level of transparency and streamlined communication sets a high standard for customer service and builds lasting trust throughout the process.
Surrey Business Excellence Winner with 41+ Employees: PCB Global Trade Management
Sponsored by MNP
PCB is the largest independently owned customs broker in BC, with over 70 years in operation. 2025 stands out for the history books due to dramatic global trade action. PCB became a critical source of information, providing guidance to thousands of businesses seeking to adapt, save money, and understand new regulations. PCB experts were sought after and quoted by CBC, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, and over 120 other publications. PCB solidified its role as an indispensable resource, guiding clients through the chaos and expanding its presence and business relationships globally.
White Rock Business Excellence Winner: A Little Bud
Sponsored by SFU
A Little Bud is a locally owned cannabis retailer known for its leadership, integrity, and exceptional service. The company has set a high bar for responsible cannabis retail, operating a self-funded packaging recycling program that has diverted nearly 2,000 lbs of cannabis waste from landfills. A Little Bud has donated over $200,000 to local charities and continues to pursue expansion while leading the industry in sustainability and ethical operations. A Little Bud was named 2024 Platinum Winner for Cannabis Retail in the White Rock Community Votes Awards and 2024 South Surrey White Rock Business of the Year.
Not-for-Profit of the Year: Mackie’s Place Youth Social House
Sponsored by Manning Elliott
Founded in 2017, Mackie’s Place is dedicated to supporting Surrey’s most vulnerable youth, aged 14 to 24, who face poverty and disconnection. The organization offers a trauma-informed environment that provides a consistent sense of belonging and dignity. Mackie’s Place continually drives innovation through hands-on programs like the Barista Training Program and the unique Mackie’s Pie Club, which builds culinary skills while raising funds. These initiatives, combined with strong financial stewardship, ensure the charity meets youth where they are and unlocks their potential for long-term success.
New Business of the Year: Mighty Cubs Childcare
Sponsored by KSW Lawyers
Mighty Cubs Childcare recognized the critical need for flexible childcare and quickly became a differentiator by offering highly sought-after weekend and round-the-clock care. Mighty Cubs combines Montessori, play-based, and STEM education with enrichment activities like Tae-Kwon-Do and yoga, all under one roof. This integrated approach enables parents, particularly mothers and essential workers, to stay in the workforce. The centre reached full capacity shortly after launch and developed a substantial waitlist, proving its success in empowering families, supporting gender equity, and contributing to local economic resilience.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Jujhar Mann, Mann and Co Bakeshop Ltd.
Sponsored by the KPU Melville School of Business
Jujhar Mann, founder and owner of Mann and Co Bakeshop, brings modern heritage desserts to Surrey, characterized by a blend of South Asian flavours and North American style. His passion led him to open a storefront after pursuing baking as a creative outlet during university. The bakeshop quickly gained fame for its inclusive menu. Jujhar’s skill earned him three wins on Netflix’s Is It Cake. This recognition helped Mann & Co get voted as the 2025 Best Bakery in Surrey, and Jujhar himself received the Changemaker Award from the City of Surrey.
The event also saw the 10th Corporate Social Responsibility Recognition Award, sponsored by Surrey Digital Printing, presented to CanCorr. This award was created to recognize a business working to improve the lives of their employees and to enhance the civic environment in which they operate, through environmental, social and governance principles.
Picture Courtesy: Instagram/ Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade
