Finalists for Small Business of the Year award announced
Apr. 29—LIMA — Back on Track Therapy and Wellness, BIGGBY Coffee and Tomorrow's Technology Today are finalists for the Lima/Allen Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award.
Each independently owned and operated small business has grown, demonstrated community involvement and operated with no more than 150 employees for at least 18 months.
The winner will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, during the Lima/Allen Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala at the University of Northwestern Ohio event center, 1450 N. Cable Road, Lima.
Back on Track Therapy and Wellness
Founded in 2017 by Cameron Dennis, Back on Track Therapy and Wellness began in a yoga studio inside the Wapak Athletic Club and has since grown into a full-service physical therapy clinic based at FAST in Shawnee.
The clinic operates with two locations, five physical therapists, and more than 400 monthly visits.
"We help people who've been told they'll always be in pain — those who struggle to walk, carry groceries or play with their grandchildren," Dennis wrote to the chamber.
"We even provide free care to those on fixed incomes when insurance won't cover it."
Dennis turned to Facebook Live to increase visibility. According to data provided by Dennis, patients have increased by 257 percent since 2019, from 209 to 748.
Data also shows revenue rose 679 percent from $95,649 in 2019 to $745,679 in 2024.
Staff work 36-hour weeks with three days off, and the business refuses to increase patient loads to preserve quality care and holds regular team meetings and bonding outings.
Community involvement includes sponsoring the Flying Angel 5K, Healthy Kids Running Series and the Lima Locos baseball team.
Dennis also gave guest lectures at Mercy Health this spring.
Back on Track expects to break the $1 million revenue mark in 2025 and plans to open a new location in Sidney.
BIGGBY Coffee
BIGGBY Coffee, led by Adam Rector, has grown from a single specialty coffee shop into a three-location operation employing more than 50 people in Lima.
Established in 2009, BIGGBY now serves more than 500,000 cups annually.
"We have always felt that we would use our business as our pillar to be able to give back to our community," Rector wrote to the chamber.
Over the past five years, BIGGBY has grown from two to three locations, including one inside Lima Memorial Hospital, and increased revenue from $2 million in 2020 to $2.5 million in 2024.
The company has nearly doubled its assets, created a district manager position, and paid off loans while continuing to reinvest in upgrades.
BIGGBY Coffee is deeply embedded in the community, donating thousands of gallons of coffee to schools and nonprofits.
Rector also serves as board chair for the Lima YMCA, past president of Lima Young Professionals, and is active in the Lima Memorial Hospital Foundation.
"We believe if we have a strong chamber and strong community, we all thrive," Rector said.
Tomorrow's Technology Today
Founded in 2002 by Lisa Niekamp-Urwin, Tomorrow's Technology Today began in the Urwin family dining room with just one client.
The company has since grown into a managed information technology service provider employing 13 people at its St. Henry office and supporting more than 4,000 businesses.
The company reached the $2 million revenue milestone in 2023 and sustained 18% growth into 2024, according to data provided to the chamber.
Key to its success was a pivot to Microsoft 365, which allowed clients to remain operational during the pandemic.
The company also implemented a business operating system to track quarterly goals and performance.
"We treat every computer like a finely tuned race car," Niekamp-Urwin said.
"Our goal is to make sure clients can work efficiently and securely every day."
The business also hosts cybersecurity webinars and in-person learning sessions, writes weekly blogs, and mentors students through programs at Tri-Star Compact Career Center.
Several students have gone on to tech careers or internships with the company.
The business supports various youth programs, bands and academic clubs and has launched a green initiative in partnership with Charitable Recycling.
Funds raised through this program benefit Dayton Children's Hospital.
Niekamp-Urwin also volunteers with the Mercer County Board of Health, the Toledo Infragard Board, and the Chamber Board of Directors.
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