“It’s elation, honor, pride, relief, bewilderment, thankfulness and in some ways added pressure,” said co-owner Chris Allen. “Being recognized on a national scale, and particularly in that type of professional setting, is something we could have never seen coming. Everyday we feel as if what we started is growing and developing into something larger and more meaningful.”

Alongside Allen is co-owner Megan Brown. The couple is currently enrolled in Haywood Community College’s business program. They were nominated for the award by Katy Gould, director of the Small Business Center at HCC. 

“We were notified that we had been selected as finalists in July, some two months after submitting the nomination essay. From there we did not know where we would place, only that we had placed and would be attending the conference in Phoenix,” Allen said.

And it wasn’t until the Soda Jerks arrived in Phoenix that they found out they’d won.

“We didn’t really know what to expect. Would it be like an award ceremony where no one knows until the last moment or would they send a letter or some other announcement?,” Brown said. “It turned out that the results were printed in the conference program, so we found out shortly after checking in. We had a good feeling going into the conference, but when we saw it in print it was still a shock.”

The award includes a $2,500 cash prize and a $1,500 travel stipend to attend the conference. And with the accolade, it’s back to business as usual for the Soda Jerks, who are evolving and growing leaps and bounds. Though still a mainstay at the Haywood Historic Farmer’s Market, their products can also be found at The Strand at 38 Main, Kanini’s and Frog’s Leap Public House, all in Waynesville. 

“For the remainder of 2014, we have a full slate planned. We are ramping up distribution of our handcrafted sodas and syrups, and we are in the testing phase of our first run of hand-bottled soda — Haywood County Concord Grape,” Allen said. “We’ve been doing a lot of work on the marketing front and are pleased to begin unveiling our updated logo and image. Definitely keep an eye out for Waynesville Soda Jerks to appear on more local shelves and menus in the coming months.”