The Better Business Bureau announced the winners of the annual Torch Awards at a May 14 luncheon, which celebrated the BBB’s 90th anniversary.

For the first time, two winners were named in the small business and medium categories because of a tie. Most years, the BBB receives 100 nominations, with 25 of them submitting an entry. This year, the number of entries was doubled.

“It is a wonderful, positive attribute to the Northwest Ohio area that we have so many businesses that are terrific and eligible to enter,” said Marilyn Levine, director of the BBB Foundation.

Small business (1 to 10 employees)

Mullan Insurance Services, 4221 Lewis Ave., is an independent insurance agency established in 1948.

The company prides itself on its service credo that includes striving to do the best, smiling, reacting quickly, using proper telephone etiquette and never saying “No.” Mullan employees take a challenge and respond with, “I’d be happy to check that out for you.” The goal of the company is to provide quality insurance protection at the lowest possible cost, according to President Michael J. Fitzpatrick.

In a letter of recommendation, a woman wrote that she is one of many customers who believe that Mullan is ethical and deserving of this Torch Award.

“The staff is very helpful and friendly to work with,” Kristina A. Grindstaff stated. “Not only do they provide me with a review of my insurance every year, but they keep me informed of any changes to my policies.”

That Special Woman prides itself on being kind, caring and ethical, according to owner Kristin Beard. When Beard opened That Special Woman, it was her goal to offer service and privacy for women. To her knowledge, she has never turned away a cancer patient in need of prosthetics or wigs. In the beginning, she paid out of her own pocket for women in need.

The company at 2461 N. Reynolds Road has been known to call customers who were by chance overcharged as little as 41 cents and offer a refund. Larry Knudsen, president of Trulife’s breast care division, wrote a letter of recommendation, stating that he has a tremendous amount of respect for Beard as an entrepreneur and an individual. That Special Woman deserves a Torch Award, he said. “In my discussions with Kris, she often mentions that she went into this market segment to serve the needs of women who survive breast cancer,” he stated. “She has never lost sight of her mission and works tirelessly to educate her patients and the community on breast cancer issues.”

Medium business (10 to 50 employees)

The Toledo LASIK Center, 6975 W. Central Ave, Suite 103, puts its patients before making money.

Whether it is waiving a bounced check fee for a woman who desperately wanted LASIK and could barely afford the services or donating LASIK surgery services to help raise money for needy causes, Toledo LASIK prides itself on supporting charitable organizations, according to its winning entry.

In 2001, a nationally owned LASIK franchise closed its Toledo facility within two weeks of performing its final LASIK surgeries. Toledo LASIK staff stepped in to provide the follow-up for patients. This was done without any cost to the patients or without direct compensation from the closed facility.

The Toledo LASIK Center opened as a subsidiary of The Cleveland Eye Clinic in 1999 by then-owner Robert G. Wiley, M.D. In 2002, William F. Wiley, M.D., joined the company and became owner in 2004.

The services of Toledo LASIK come so highly recommended that one patient flew all the way in from San Francisco after being referred by a relative. “Your staff was patient,” Abel Grebenik wrote. “They explained everything in detail and were quick and efficient without being hasty.”

The employees of Uckele Health and Nutrition are devoted to helping every client to be well and in good health.  The Blissfield, Mich., company has grown from only a couple employees to more than 50.

Uckele provides nutritional products and services to animals and humans for more than 50,000 customers in nearly 40 countries.

“I believe our success grows because we’ve stuck to our core values,” said Mike Uckele, president and CEO. “We keep it simple; we provide high quality products at a reasonable price; we’re responsive to our customer’s needs and treat them as we’d like to be treated — like the individuals we are.”

A member of the National Animal Supplement Council, Uckele also provides private labeling and custom manufacturing for many other companies and organizations. www.uckele.com

Large  business (51-plus employees)

“Do what we say, finish what we start and be on time.”

That’s just one motto of the Children’s Discovery Center (CDC), which has been committed to ethical business practices since its inception in 1982, according to its winning entry.

CDC strives to make excellence an overarching theme, and “Autograph Your Work with Excellence” has been instilled in each staff member. Founder and owner Lois Mitten Rosenberry believes a company that is dedicated to serving families and children is only as good as its employees.

One of the company’s values is compassionate philanthropy. When an employee’s husband had been laid off and the family was in danger of being evicted, the Children’s Discovery Center made the next month’s rent, paid the utility bills and gave money for groceries.

The center also prides itself on providing a creative, nurturing and Christian environment. An example of this is when the CDC was endeavoring to expand into the Columbus area and applied for a small business administration loan.

The company was told it could not qualify if God was mentioned to the children. It was determined that growth with compromise was unacceptable.

“It appears to me that the Children’s Discovery Center has made a very positive commitment to children, families, staff, members and colleagues. From ‘the top down,’ ethical responsibilities remain a constant focus,” said Linda Borton, early childhood instructor at Penta Career Center.

Nonprofit winner

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, 2149 Collingwood Blvd., adheres to four core values. Providing quality services to all in need; being accountable and responsive; pursuing professional excellence; and offering a fulfilling work experience and professional development for its staff.

These ideals may sound lofty, but are achieved through a statement in its human resources manual: “It is expected that each staff member will see his/her work in the agency as a service to people and as a witness of the Christian faith.”

The nonprofit provides training to qualified, volunteer legal guardians to serve as advocates for indigent older adults living in Lucas County. Besides helping the elderly, it also provides adoption services, mental health counseling services, emergency food programs and parenting classes.

Lutheran Social Services prides itself on being donor-centered, according to its winning entry. About one year ago, a couple came to the nonprofit willing to make a sizable gift with an inheritance.

Lutheran Social Services worked with the couple so the gift could be made and the taxable gain completely erased through a tax deduction.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Special Section.
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