Each year, area chambers of commerce honor select companies as part of the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards. The following are picks by area chambers for companies that stand out.
BURGAW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Mojo Musical Supply, which also operates under the name Mojotone and is owned by Michael McWhorter, “has continued to invest in our community on so many different levels,” Burgaw chamber officials wrote in selecting the business as an overall top pick from the past decade. “It’s not about just keeping the doors open, a small business needs to represent our goals as a chamber: it’s about value, professionalism, commitment, jobs. Mojo Musical has been an asset to Pender County and continues to give back in other ways,” officials said.
GREATER TOPSAIL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Jeff and Susie Meyer, the owners of the Brass Pelican in Surf City, “have one of the most recognizable businesses on Topsail Island and are known for their community outreach with their annual toy and food drives as well as their ‘Save 2nd Base’ breast cancer fundraising event. Their business, The Brass Pelican, is the classic small beach bar complete with all the charms that one associates with that atmosphere,” chamber officials said.
NORTH BRUNSWICK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Carolina Marketing Company Inc., which launched North Brunswick Magazine in 2005, is the chamber’s choice for top organization of the decade. The company has grown to include South Brunswick Magazine, North Brunswick New Homes and Real Estate, South Brunswick News Homes and Real Estate, Discovery Map of Brunswick County and the Discovery Map of Wilmington, websites and Facebook pages. Owner Justin Williams “is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He is a person who has demonstrated his ability and talent for organization and management of many enterprises. Through initiative and risk, Justin Williams has become a media mogul,” chamber officials wrote.
PLEASURE ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, in concert with the UNCW Entrepreneurship Center, awards the Pleasure Island Entrepreneur of the Year annually. The mission of the Pleasure Island Entrepreneur Awards is to help foster entrepreneurial activity – and higher paying jobs – in the region, according to chamber officials. This year, the chamber’s board chose Chef Craig Love of Surf House and Southerly Biscuit & Pie. Chamber officials said, “Craig Love is not just any chef. He’s a visionary, an ambassador, philanthropist and scholar—the brains behind one of the most exceptional restaurants on not only the island, but in the entire Greater Wilmington area. Founded in 2009, Craig opened Surf House with a mission to provide Pleasure Island with a fully sustainable farmto- table restaurant focused on serving Southern hospitality combined with high-end dining…In 2017, Craig opened his second restaurant, The Southerly Biscuit & Pie located in the Michael’s Shopping Center in Carolina Beach.”
SOUTHPORT-OAK ISLAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Southport Magazine, the chamber’s 2017 winner, “captures the soul of the Southport- Oak Island area through its focus on lifestyle: arts, entertainment, food and shopping,” chamber officials wrote. They said owner Kris Beasley spent her career in support of the community and started the magazine in 2012 to support the town and businesses in the area.
WILMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Chamber officials chose Cloudwyze as the chamber’s choice for top organization from the past 10 years. Cloudwyze partners with businesses to design and implement technology solutions that enable organizations to focus on operations and growth. Chamber officials said Cloudwyze employees “go above and beyond to determine how best to help their clients.” The firm, they said, is also “committed to Wilmington, to building a community that people are proud to call home and to building a business environment that helps all grow and prosper.”
