SEPT 2025 – The Christine Bergeron Award for Sustainability, co-presented by Vancity and WeBC, honours a woman-identifying or non-binary entrepreneur demonstrating innovation, resiliency, ethical leadership, climate action, and community impact. The award reflects a growing commitment to equitable, sustainable economic development in BC.

This was an innaugural award, making it all the more special for a small, queer-owned business.

SEPT 2025 – The 12th annual Untapped Workplace Inclusion Awards recognize businesses of all sizes that are leading the way in workplace inclusivity and accessibility. We were incredibly pleased to win the “Inclusive Culture Champion” in the Social Enterprise category. In addition, we placed as a top three finalist in the Small Business Category (under 99 employees).

Inclusion is not a competition and we’re grateful for ALL the work being done by everyone in this room. We’re in this together!

Award ceremonies are often filled with people in positions of power, and to us, they can be spaces of activism. If you’re a business with a spotlight shined upon you, now is a very good time to use it wisely.

NOV 2024 – At the Small Business BC Awards in 2024, we placed 2nd in the Best Youth Entrepreneur category, with much excitement.

As part of our prize package, Carolyn, and her team, at True Calling Media made a fantastic video in our studio, featuring Tess and Ariss. We also attended the Awards Gala at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Nov 1st, 2024, where the winners were announced.

2024 – In 2024, we were nominated for a CanadianSME’s National Small Business Award in the 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusive Excellence Category! We have our eyes on this award for the future.

FEB 2023 – We were included in the Canada Post Tales of Triumph Contest in 2023, which involved both a written and voting portions.

As part of the Contest (in the Rising Stars category), Ariss Grutter participated in a panel discussion on small businesses. You can read more about our participation in the Tales of Triumph here, on Canada Post’s website.

AUG 2022 – In 2022, we were chosen for the BC Busines 30 Under 30 list, alongside 28 other inspiring youth. This was our second print feature, with photography by Adele Thomas.

Read more about this in BC Business’s article about Awl Together Leather