2014 finalists for Small Business Awards

Only about half of all new businesses last five years, according to data collected by federal agencies.

So to make a somewhat rough analogy, it’s even harder to make a business work than a marriage.

The statistics on small businesses make the achievements of the winners of the annual Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards all the more impressive. Over the 10 years that the contest has been held, 15 winners have been named, and every one is still in business.

Today The Eagle, which helps sponsor the awards, offers a closer look at the 10 finalists for the 2014 awards. The businesses featured have been through a months-long process that includes written applications, participation in chamber events, and site visits from judges. The finalists are divided into two divisions: Tier 1 for companies with 25 or fewer employees and Tier 2 for companies with 26 to 100 employees.

Their stories represent the hard work, solid values and admirable ambitions that go into running a successful small business.

The next step in the competition will be to determine an overall winner in each division. The announcement of those winners will be made at a luncheon event May 7. For information about the luncheon, go to wichitachamber.org

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Profiles of the 2014 finalists:

J.P. Weigand & Sons, now largest of its kind in Kansas, began in 1902 with one man

Couple likes ‘doing our own thing’ as Icon owners

Building Controls and Services’ early work on big project propelled success

Insurer Chapple seeing solid growth

Credit union goes for the personal touch

Emphasis is on quality at Kingman company

Companies’ identities take shape at Cassandra Bryan Design

International projects a growing part of Balco‘s business

General contractor Zernco growing by leaps and bounds

Kansas Truck Equipment provides products that make people more mobile

This story was originally published April 17, 2014 at 6:55 AM with the headline "2014 finalists for Small Business Awards."