More than 100 individuals representing Dalton’s business community gathered at the Dalton Golf & Country Club last Thursday to celebrate the winners of the Greater Dalton Chamber’s third annual Small Business Awards. Five local business leaders were honored with awards recognizing their dedication to the Greater Dalton community.
The Small Business Awards recognize the hard work and contributions of local business leaders in the Greater Dalton community. This year’s honorees were selected from a competitive field of fifteen finalists across five award categories.
The 2025 Small Business Award winners are:
Emerging Small Business Award
Hannah Ramey Minor – Victory Skincare
Recognized for her exceptional growth and vision, Hannah has quickly positioned Victory Skincare as a trusted esthetics destination with a vintage aesthetic.
She delivers high-quality care and personalized experiences to her customers, all while using organic products and intentionally opting out of modern technologies.
Impact Award
Viviana Ramirez
Viviana’s leadership has been instrumental in revitalizing the section of East Morris Street known locally as Block 79. She has helped to breathe life into a space that invites people to connect with one another, engage in local culture, and enjoy Dalton.
Cool Things Made in Dalton
Whitney & Brandon Cawood – To Dye For: The Documentary
The Cawoods bring a sense of community pride to residents of Greater Dalton through their locally filmed documentary covering artificial dyes in food. This documentary has been making waves and helping to start conversations, inspiring change surrounding regulations about the chemicals going into food products in the U.S.
Whitener Award
Jillian Lidderdale – Garmony House
The Whitner Award was created to help continue the legacy left by Catherine Evans Whitener, often referenced as the pioneer of the carpet industry in Dalton. Jillian received this recognition after her determination and grit shone through a year of construction that impacted her business, earning her the admiration and respect of the community for remaining a positive role model for the rest of Cuyler Street and beyond.
Small Business Person of the Year
Kristie Gazaway – JBM Office Solutions
Kristie’s commitment to excellence, resilience, and passion for uplifting others set her apart as the 2025 Small Business Person of the Year. Her leadership reflects the very best of Greater Dalton’s spirit, and she does it all while remaining rooted in her faith and giving back to her community. JBM recently celebrated its 40th year in business, with Kristie calling this award the “icing on the cake.”
“Each of these winners embodies their award perfectly,” said Jason Mock, president & CEO of the Greater Dalton Chamber. “We are so proud to have these folks as part of the community, making Dalton a better place to live, work and play for everyone.”
Charleigh Kirby, Marketing & Communications director for the Chamber, echoed that sentiment, saying, “It has been a great honor getting to see these finalists through to the end. Each of the winners is well-deserving of the recognition, and we are proud to celebrate their success and the positive impact they continue to make each day.”
The Greater Dalton Chamber extends congratulations to all the winners and thanks the sponsors, including Builtwell Bank, judges and attendees who made the awards possible.