Georgeann Quealy sees how Integrative Flavor’s roots are a source of strength as she and her team celebrate being named the Northwest ISBDC’s Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year.
“Being in a family business, there is a sense of togetherness and pride that makes you want to do your very best to keep the company running and your team members employed to support their families,” said Quealy, President of Williams – West & Witt’s dba Integrative Flavors.
The Michigan City-based company was purchased in 1981 by Quealy’s parents, Victor and Dorothy Palmer.
“With little knowledge of the food business, my parents began their lives as entrepreneurs. They were lucky they survived, according to my mom. I came onboard in 1990. My husband (Brian) joined us in 1995. In between this, we had two beautiful daughters,” she said.
“Owning a family business has enabled us to raise our children to have a great value system and to love people, be compassionate and to give of themselves and their talents.”
Integrative Flavors began in 1938 as Williams-West & Witt’s Products Company and supplied C-rations to the Army during World War II. Today, the company has grown from a supplier of Cook’s Delight chicken and beef base products to a line of gourmet, organic and vegan selections.
“We also offer custom formulation, contract packaging and private labeling,” Quealy said.
“Integrative Flavors’ vision is to be the food industry’s preferred source for gourmet quality foundation flavors. Our specific goal for 2013 includes capturing a larger portion of the seafood base market.”
The Integrative Flavors team will join additional honorees at the NW-ISBDC’s 21st annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards luncheon on Nov. 14 at the Star Plaza in Merrillville. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the event begins at 11:30 a.m. Jim Oberweis, of Oberweis Dairy, will share his story as the keynote speaker.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling the NW-ISBDC at (219) 644-3513 or emailing northwest@isbdc.org. For more information, visit www.edayleaders.com. The 2012 E-Day winners include:
• Northwest ISBDC Client of the Year: Paul Williams - President - Big Dog Transportation - Merrillville
• Small Business Person of the Year: Melissa Neff - President/CEO - Mechanical Concepts, Inc. - Gary
• Entrepreneurial Success of the Year: Cole Doolittle - President - Waste Revelation LLC - Valparaiso
• Emerging Business of the Year: Christine Newton - Owner - South Shore Insurance - Chesterton
• Minority/Woman-Owned Business of the year: Jeanne Sommer - President - Century 21 Alliance - Valparaiso
• Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year: Georgeann Quealy - President - Williams - West & Witt’s Products dba Integrative Flavors - Michigan City
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Wade Breitzke - President - 27 Entertainment, Inc. - Valparaiso
• Garry Bradley Small Business Advocate of the Year: Thomas Rowland - President - TreeHouse Financial - Merrillville
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Gus Olympidis - President/CEO - Family Express Corp. - Valparaiso
Serving seven counties in the region, the NW-ISBDC offers no-cost assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses. Through one-on-one consulting, the NWI SBDC helps guide small businesses toward their goals by offering referrals, workshops, training opportunities and other essential business tools. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners. For more information, visit www.nwisbdc.org.
Photo by Rich Ramirez Jr. of Legacy Photo Design Georgeann and Brian Quealy of Integrative Flavors are the Northwest ISBDC’s Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year.