Baylor to Recognize 'Mom and Pop' Firms in Annual Contest

by Alan Hunt

WACO, Texas -- That corner store you've been patronizing for years could qualify for an award in the ninth annual Texas Outstanding Family Business of the Year contest sponsored by Baylor University's Institute for Family Business.
Members of the public and more than 250 chambers of commerce throughout the Lone Star State are being asked to nominate top family firms for the competition. Each year, the Institute for Family Business honors firms that demonstrate strong business and family values.
Awards are given in three categories -- large firms, with more than 250 employees; medium-sized firms, with 51-250 employees; and small firms, with 50 or fewer employees. Outstanding firms are also recognized in the special award categories of Family Values, Community Commitment, Fastest-Growing Family Business, Well-Managed Family Business, and the Founders Award, for the business that best maintains the identity and original concept of its founders.
In previous years, many members of the public have nominated their favorite family businesses, said Doris Sandberg, coordinator of the Institute for Family Business. "They explain they have been loyal customers and this is their way of saying 'thank you' to the owners." In addition to independent nominations, family business owners can also nominate their companies for the awards.
Last year, more than 200 "mom and pop" businesses were nominated for the contest. Sandberg said outstanding family firms should demonstrate contributions to their industry and
community and be positive role models for both the business community and the family in business. Family businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, she said, adding, "It has been estimated that 75 percent of all businesses in the United States are family-owned or controlled."
The eight Texas firms honored in last year's competition were Casa Olé of Beaumont, Alford Media Services, Inc. of Dallas, Five Star Food Services, Inc. of Stafford, Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Food Restaurant of Fort Worth, Lammes Candies Since 1885, Inc. of Austin, Transportation Unlimited of Dallas, Elliott's Hardware of Dallas and Pulliam Pool Builders, Inc. of Fort Worth.
Family business consultants and advisers and principals of family firms will be among the judges for this year's program. The awards will be presented Oct. 22 during a ceremony in Austin.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Institute for Family Business, P.O. Box 98011, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798-8011, telephone (254) 710-4154, fax (254) 710-3724. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 1, 1998.