Thirty-two years ago Rotorua ecological business Wildlands started as a sole trader.
Now it's named Rotorua's Business of the Year - quite an achievement for its 80 staff in 10 offices around the country.
The best of Rotorua's businesses came together for an evening of glitz and glam at the2017 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards on Saturday night.
Held at the Energy Events Centre the annual event recognised the work of more than 15 people and organisations across Rotorua.
MC Steve Pinder kept the crowd engaged with his jokes and banter as the crowd enjoyed dinner.
The Love Doctors had the dance floor full at the half time break, led by Rotorua boy Rio Panapa and later in the night Shihad's Jon Toogood got the crowd rocking again, his high energy set including Kiwi classics
As a company they have worked on weed management at Cathedral Cove, geothermal vegetation and habitats on Mt Tarawera and ecological restoration of the coastal sand dunes near Papamoa.
The big award of the night - the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards Supreme Winner 2017 is...
"We've had a lot of people believe in us over the years and I'd really like to thank our clients and the organisers of the awards, for understanding our business," Mrs Beadel said.
"It's a very special company."
The couple behind Pipi Ma, te reo Maori speaking dolls, took out Holland Beckett Law Innovation Business Award.
Hohepa Tuahine gave his acceptance speech in te reo before their table responded with a haka, showing the pride that came with the business' recognition of te reo.
The category winners were: Holland Beckett Law Innovation Business Award: Pipi Ma Deloitte Service Provider Business Award: Wildlands Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings Ltd Retail Business Award: Artisan Cafe Rotorua Daily Post Hospitality Business Award: Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park Rotorua Weekender Attractions Business Award: Adventure Playground Rotorua Lakes Council Emerging Business Award: AJ's Strike Zone, Megazone & Timezone The Hits Community Business Award: Rotorua Multicultural Council Talent ID Employee of the Year: Gretchen Livingstone, Regent of Rotorua Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Emerging Young Leader: Jasmine Adams, Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park Trustpower Customer Service Award: Holiday Inn Rotorua. The Arista Group Social Responsibility Award: Professionals - McDowell Real Estate Bay of Connections Excellence in Sustainable Practices Award: Rotorua Drycleaners & Apparelmaster Ministry of Education Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Sophie Glasgow, Western Heights High School
