By Lindsay Walker
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

The Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest announced it had honored two Phoenix-based companies with its inaugural award. 

The 2021 BBB Spark Award was given to Michael Wang, the CEO of PeerSquared, Inc. and Alyssa Leon, owner of Cherry Blossom Doula Services.

Both were awarded based on their ethical character, transparent and open company culture and a history of giving back to their communities, the BBB said in a news release. 

"It's truly an honor to be awarded the first-ever Spark Award,” Wang, who started a peer-to-peer tutoring service, said in a prepared statement. “As a startup, it's motivating to know that our company culture and values are headed down the right path. I look forward to continuing to improve myself and my team members as we work towards making a bigger impact in our community.”

Wang and Leon were each awarded $1,500 from the BBB to further grow their companies and focus on their respective missions. 

"Winning the Spark Award was truly an honor and surprise,” said Leon. “I feel proud to be seen as a business that is actively making a difference in our community through inclusion, advocacy and education. We hold integrity at the core of all we do and are excited to continue serving expectant and postpartum families well in the greater Phoenix area.” 

The BBB Spark Award honors young entrepreneurs aged 35 and under, as well as new business owners who have been operating for less than three years. These “Trustmakers” are the future of the marketplace, according to the BBB, and the award helps their startups gain recognition.

The BBB said it hopes to continue to build meaningful relationships with its award winners over the year. The organization is adding the award to the support it already provides to entrepreneurs, including business loans, accelerator programs and more.