The intrepid Big Barker team has gotten lots of accolades as of late. Not to toot our own horn or anything, but the awards have really been piling up!
We had a big honor over the summer when we were named to the Inc. 5000 list. Next, we were named one of Philadelphia’s top 100 fastest-growing privately-held companies by the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Then in September, all of us team members who live locally got together for a bash at SugarHouse Casino on the waterfront in Philadelphia to celebrate a rather unique recognition: beingnamed one of Philadelphia’s Soaring 76 companies by the Philadelphia Business Journal. It was unique because the Journal considered both public and private companies in the region when compiling its list.
We weren’t sure where we had landed within the top 76 until the awards were announced, and we were excited to find out. So we rounded up our gang along with some significant others and headed to the big city. Jaime, our customer service superstar, used to be a more-than-casual poker player—plus it was her 36th birthday, so she was feeling lucky!
There was a cool taking flight theme (“Soaring 76,” get it?), and all the staff and presenters were dolled up like flight attendants and pilots. When we got there, we immediately started chowing down on the impressive spread of food and partaking of the open bar. Apasta station, a carving station, cheeses and fruit, and an endless supply of hors d’oeuvres like coconut shrimp and sliders kept us busy before we were ushered into the ceremony to find out where we ranked among Philadelphia’s finest.
The countdown from #76 down to #1 began. We were on the edge of our seats as the presenters started reeling off the winners. Jaime was in a gambling mood and bet that we were going to be #36 on the list—but 36 came and went. We couldn’t believe it! We were in some amazing company with the list of winners: Toll Brothers, Nutrisystem, WSFS Bank, and Five Below had all already been called, and we were feeling pretty chuffed that our little big-dog-bed company was growing even faster than some of the big boys!
Finally, Big Barker was called at #21—and we were thrilled! Eric went up to the stage to receive our award as we were cheering and jumping up and down. The presenter gave us a“woof, woof” to start off his intro. And after all that waiting, we had worked up and appetite and figured we earned our reward. So Jaime and I got a jump on the dessert table, which was out of this world—I ate at least 20 chocolate covered strawberries, and they were worth every single calorie!
Basking in the glow of our achievement, the team stepped out onto the terrace to take in the water, the bridges, and the skyline.
Thanks to Philadelphia Business Journal for planning such a great event. It was a lot of fun to get out from behind our computers and into the real world! And thanks most especially to all of our amazing customers who care enough to give their dogs the very very best!
Read the Business Journal’s writeup here.
Watch the presentation here:
