Business Vinton Trophy & Awards celebrates 1 YEAR under new ownership!

It’s been 1 year since Ashley Hesson took over Vinton Trophy & Awards from previous owners Lee & Barb Smith, who operated the business for 27 of the 30 years of its existence. Despite the anniversary landing on Friday the 13th, it’s a day worth celebrating! What has the year produced? Well, other than a HUGE amount of wisdom gleaned from Lee and Barb about the various intricacies of running a successful awards and engraving business… 

While the Vinton-Shellsburg Schools, Virginia Gay Hospital, and Vinton Parks & Recreation Department are frequent (and much appreciated!) customers, the largest portion of business comes from various individuals and small businesses who request unique jobs. There are dog collars, wine boxes, veteran flag boxes, and bobble heads out there that bear the work of Vinton Trophy. There is literally an award for everything! World’s Greatest Marriage? – there’s a plaque for that! Survived another meeting that could have been an email? There’s a trophy for that too, complete with mounted coffee mug! 

If you have an idea for a special trophy/plaque/medal/ribbon, or would like help coming up with an award for that "special someone" (maybe a "Chilli Cook Off" award for the next family gathering), let Ashley know. If you can think of something deserving recognition...Vinton Trophy can create a one of a kind award! For more information or ideas to get the creative juices flowing, check out the Vinton Trophy website (www.VintonTrophy.com) or Facebook page.  

Ashley enjoys the challenge and creative thinking of coming up with fun awards. However, she appreciates the hours of time, effort, and sacrifice that goes into receiving any award that leaves her workshop. “It’s a great line of work to be in because it’s always good news for someone! No one (yet) has requested a trophy because they got fired! And working in a close-knit community like ours, I know many of the recipients. It’s great working on awards that I know are going to incredibly deserving people.”