Local entrepreneur Kelly Ann Woods has won the CANIE Woman Entrepreneur award for the BC region.
The co-founder of Gillespie’s Fine Spirits was chosen by The Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation, which is part of the CANIE Digital Awards.
The award recognizes outstanding achievement in Canada’s entrepreneurship and innovation community.
“It is an incredible honour to be recognized for my work and commitment to the growth and evolution of women-led businesses across our great nation. If there’s anything women are, it is adaptable,” Kelly Anne Woods said.
“These are challenging times, but I see a lot of opportunities opening up for women to innovate and lead in the coming days,” Woods said.
Known locally for spirits and vodka, Gillespie’s recently shifted gears to making hand sanitizers to meet the growing demand in the time of COVID-19.
As much as 300 litres of hand sanitizers has been sold so far to local organisations, including RCMP, construction companies, retailers and massage parlours.
The hand sanitizers, made from aloe vera gel, vegetable glycerine, tea tree oil and 65% ethanol, enabled Gillespie’s to make some profit and keep the business going during this trying time.
“I am grateful that we are making hand sanitizer for the community, and that I can help in some way,” Woods said.
In April, Woods was also honoured in the community builder category by BC Business Magazine for their 2020 Women of the Year Award.
Regional CANIE award winners will be evaluated by the National Adjudication Committee, comprising some of Canada’s leading entrepreneurship and industry experts.
The national winners will be announced and celebrated at the CANIE Awards Grand Finale in Ottawa this fall.
