Thursday night was a big night for Parisleaf, selected by the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2014 Business of the Year for Commitment to the Environment. Chamber Public Policy Chair Mike Giampietro presented the award to 300+ in attendance that evening on behalf of the award sponsor, the Gainesville Chamber Public Policy Committee. Parisleaf was the 2011 Business of the Year for Commitment to the Environment.
Sustainable branding agency Parisleaf was selected for the award based on its “policies and procedures that have a positive impact on the environment.” Contributing factors included:
- Over 30,000 trees planted to date as part of a program to plant trees for every work Parisleaf is commissioned to develop.
- Partnerships with locally-based Gainesville Compost and international NGO Trees for the Future.
- An expansion into a nearly 100-year old home redeveloped in partnership with Trimark Properties and brokered by Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group.
- Centerpiece furniture made from reclaimed wood from local homes by Alexis Dold of Gainesville-based Circle Square Studios. The remaining wood surfaces are designed from sustainable and durable bamboo.
- Environmentally-focused clients like Maine-based Unity College, dubbed “America’s Environmental College,” and Greenpeace USA.
- In-progress application for a competitive B-Corp certification, putting Parisleaf among an elite group of brands, such as Ben & Jerry’s, known and certified for their rigorous environmental policies and standards and social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency
- A sustainably-minded culture where many on the team cycle to work in lieu of driving.
The award comes on the heels of significant growth for the studio. Founded in 2010, it was considered a small town print production supplier, providing clean, green environmental solutions for the Gainesville area. Today, the studio has grown into a team of 10 full time specialists — designers, web developers, and visual storytellers — who manage a multifaceted, global visual communications studio from downtown Gainesville. Revenue and hiring have continued to grow year-over-year and are expected to continue growing into 2015.
2014 Business of the Year Awards Honor Gainesville Area’s Best and Brightest
Gainesville, Florida – The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2014 Business of the Year Awards. The annual awards, presented this year by Northwestern Mutual, shine a spotlight on the business community and offer a chance to celebrate the area’s best and brightest.
“The Business of the Year Awards are always a crowd favorite event,” said Deborah Bowie, Vice President of Chamber Development. “The Chamber loves having a chance to celebrate our members and their growth and accomplishments throughout the year.”
The Business of the Year Awards are judged by an anonymous, non-employee panel of Chamber stakeholders.
“The competition was tough this year,” Bowie said. “The judges had a lot of qualified applicants to consider but just 8 awards to give out.” The judges awarded the following companies in the categories listed below for 2014:
Leading Women’s Enterprise: Dear Shears Hair Studio
Best Minority Business: Foresight Construction Group
Commitment to the Environment: Parisleaf
Best New Business: 160over90
Best Nonprofit: AMIkids Gainesville
Best Business Expansion: Gainesville Health & Fitness Center
Overall Small Business: Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group
Overall Large Business: Jones Edmunds