New coworking space, Golden brewery among Chamber award winners

Seven local businesses and community members were recognized by the Golden Chamber of Commerce at its annual meeting and awards ceremony May 18 at the Applewood Golf Course.

The recipients were:

• Craft Coworking Golden for Budding Business of the Year;
• The Eddy Taproom & Hotel for Business of the Year;
• The Cloud 96.9 for Community Impact of the Year;
• Holidaily Brewing Company for The Golden Standard Award;
• Jean Miller for Volunteer of the Year;
• Mahnke Auto Body’s Megara Pullen for Ambassador of the Year; and
• Sirona Physical Therapy’s Katie Carbiener for Young Professional of the Year.

Executive director Nola Krajewski described how the chamber redid a few of its award categories, so the Budding Business of the Year and The Golden Standard Award were new this year. They recognize, respectively, a new up-and-coming company and a company that lifts up others and champions diversity, equity and inclusion.

“It’s extra special that it’s the first time (for the award),” Holidaily owner Karen Hertz said. “We (at Holidaily) want to be a leader, and this is such a great area to be a leader in.”

A budding business

While the chamber has always had a Business of the Year Award, a subcommittee suggested having a category this year to recognize new businesses.

“When you start a business, it can be a really challenging time,” Krajewski said.

According to the nomination form, since opening, Craft Coworking Golden has proven “a fun, energetic new business” that supports the Golden community.

“Being a caretaker for a lot of other businesses is a great way to be in community,” said Kevin Besure, co-owner and operator of Craft Coworking Golden.

He added that he was honored to be recognized, stating it demonstrates that “hard work pays off in a lot of ways.”

The coworking space opened at 420 Indiana St. about two years ago and currently has about 30 businesses using the space. Because companies and individuals can drop in and out as they want, Besure said no two days are the same.

The tenants range from large-scale companies with small drop-in offices to “first-time business owners who are looking to have consistent internet and coffee,” Besure described.

It’s a great option for people who enjoy the flexibility of working from home but also enjoy being in a professional environment, he commented. The space also hosts regular mixers and tenant events, such as a surgical robot demonstration on May 31.

“We take care of all the secondary stuff — the coffee, the printer, the mail — so you can show up and take care of your work,” Besure continued. “That way, you’re focused on business, not the building.”

Setting a golden standard

According to Krajewski, The Golden Standard Award was created to recognize a business that supports DEI in the workplace or in Golden, and contributes to and enhances the local business environment by improving “opportunities for the diverse communities we serve.”

Holidaily Brewing Company received the inaugural Golden Standard Award for its monthly “Raise a Pint, Lend a Hand” fundraisers, for raising awareness of Celiac disease, and supporting women- and Black-owned businesses, among other efforts.

The brewery, located at 801 Brickyard Circle, is a woman-owned business and tries to partner with and support diverse businesses and organizations, Hertz described.

The “Raise a Pint, Lend a Hand” events, which are usually the last Thursday of the month, have supported various nonprofits through 10% of all sales from that day. Epic Experience, which empowers cancer survivors, and Black Girls Do Bike are among the nonprofits the events have benefited.

“It’s so great to support those groups and get to have them in our taprooms,” she continued. “It’s good exposure for them and their missions.”

After receiving The Golden Standard Award, Hertz said her company will continue focusing on its internal DEI efforts and its work supporting the community. For instance, she commented, the brewery is launching a beer this summer to support the people of Ukraine.

Overall, Hertz said of winning the award: “It’s just an honor to be recognized.”