As incredible as it is to believe, 14 years have passed since The Forum partnered with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce to present The Forum Top Small Business Awards.

The nominees – all chamber members – are an outstanding group of businesses and business owners who have a drive to succeed and grow that sets them apart from other small businesses.

From the many nominees, a chamber committee analyzes data, conduct interviews and make their selections. Together, we proudly present them to you.

The class of 2016 is again is special one, and many of these businesses you may have seen on our pages before.

BNB Systems, a 40-year-old company doing business in Shreveport and Arkansas, has weathered good times and bad and is a testament to the idea that treating your employees and your customers right has its rewards. The business, formerly focused on printing, has adapted to the electronic world and expanded their offerings.

Vintage Design Group owners are advocates for downtown and reach out to the community through volunteering. Their growth over the past six years is impressive as are their architectural design skills. A specialty: revitalizing old structures. 

Twisted Root Burger Co. owner Grant Nuckolls also insists on giving to the community and focuses on fund-raising efforts for promotion his franchise. From an idea he saw on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” he found inspiration and founded the first franchise of the chain. He has opened a second unit in Bossier City.

Cook, Yancey, King & Galloway attorneys and partners commit time and resources by serving on boards and commissions for the area and supporting an array of organizations. For more than 100 years, the firm has served the legal needs of the region.

And finally, Forte and Tablada has a stake in Shreveport- Bossier City with offices in each city – as well Baton Rouge and Denham Springs. They do municipal public works infrastructure design in both the private and public sector and contributed to the Hilton Shreveport & Convention Center and the Louisiana Boardwalk. Though they have worked for the city for a number of years, they put down roots in 2010.

We know you’ll be as impressed as we are with this all-star lineup. Hard work, community volunteerism and the ability to adapt are key for these businesses. But relationships with employees and customers are cited as the most important asset of all.

– Jay Covington, Publisher, The Forum