By Quentin Young, The Villager

The winner of the 2000 Small business of the Year Award is a company that attributes much of its success to keeping the “business” side of its business in check.

Maureen Clarry and Kelly Gilmore, principals of CONNECT:The Knowledge Network Inc., accepted their award at a luncheon Feb. 25. The event was sponsored by the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and the Business Growth Center. CONNECT was chosen from among four finalists, who were in turn chosen from a field of 20 nominations.

Only 8 years old, CONNECT provides information technology staffing services to such powerhouses as Hewlett Packard, Polaroid, TCI, Exxon and RJ Reynolds. The company handles over 2,000 information technology professionals who are available for consulting, contract-to-hire and direct hire.

Clarry and Gilmore pointed out the major strength of their company, saying family and life apart from work should never be neglected for the sake of business. “We set out to do something important without forgetting what’s really important,” said Gilmore. She said as a businessperson, you should “integrate your work self and your home self and make them one self.”

In its early days, CONNECT was run from Gilmore’s bedroom. Then the company moved to Clarry’s basement. When it outgrew the basement, it moved to its present location in Littleton, a building that was once a convent.

In her acceptance speech, Gilmore said, “We did set out to create an award-winning company, but we didn’t expect to win an award.” Said Clarry, “we believe our success has been a result of God’s grace.”

The other three finalists were Sandhill Scientific Inc., CoCal Landscape and Microtech-Tel Inc.

With only 25 employees, Sandhill Scientific has gone from floundering to being a leader in its field. The company makes hospital diagnostic equipment used by gastroenterologists and endoscopic surgeons.

Founded in 1992, CoCal is a full-service landscape construction, maintenance and renovations contractor. The company is dedicated to providing opportunities, such as English classes and year-round employment, to its largely Hispanic employees.

Microtech-Tel Inc., founded in 1988, is a “one-stop shop” for voice, data and video solutions. Founder Sam Koumar, an immigrant from India, told the luncheon audience, “This is a fabulous country … I want to thank the American people for giving us this great opportunity.”