SHELBY — Hank Keller never dreamed of owning a car wash, but the unexpected path led him to what he now calls “the things we cherish most.”
The annual Small Business of the Year Awards recognized standout small businesses in Richland County for their dedication, innovation and impact on the community.
The awards were presented during a celebration hosted by the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development at the Kehoe Center on Tuesday afternoon, with Medical Mutual as the presenting sponsor.
Keller said he never expected to own a car wash when he was young. While it doesn’t match childhood dreams of becoming a doctor or professional athlete, the journey revealed the true beauty of life.
“Sometimes the things we never saw coming end up becoming the things we cherish most,” he said.
Hercules Express Wash wins 14-and-under Small Business of the Year Award
Keller, owner of Hercules Express Wash, accepted the Small Business of the Year award in the 14-and-under employee category. He credited his staff for their dedication, pride and hard work, and thanked customers who often feel more like friends.
The businesses people don’t dream about as kids, he said, can become meaningful when someone pours their heart into them.
Keller called the nomination more than a recognition. It reminded him and his team of what they do, how they do it and why they show up every day.
He described himself as humbled and honored to receive the award, while praising the other finalists.
“I am very impressed with the other finalists saying basically the same thing,” he said. “There is definitely a common thread you see in successful businesses, and that is a leadership team that truly honors and supports the employees.”
Originally opening in 2018 as Elite Care Auto Center, Hercules Express Wash rebranded in 2022.
Keller has spent the past 30 years in manufacturing, then going into real estate. A friend he was helping at the time in real estate, asked if he would be interested in partnering for the car wash.
After spending years fixing things and getting it to where it worked consistently, Keller said they made the decision to rebrand it in 2022.
Hercules Express Wash is a one-stop shop to clean, protect and maintain vehicles.
Pinnacle Building Services wins 15-and-over Small Business of the Year Award
Pinnacle Building Services co-owners Jessie Palmer and Sonya Morgan accepted the Small Business of the Year award in the 15-plus employee category.
“Do you know what’s better than public speaking?” Palmer asked. “Doing it twice in one day.”
The pair returned to the podium after receiving their finalist award, only to learn they also won the category. Palmer said standing alongside the other companies in the category felt incredible.
“It’s something we don’t take lightly,” she said. “This recognition means a lot to us and even more to the people who helped us get here.”
Palmer thanked the many people who supported the business along the way. She said they prepared a finalist speech but didn’t expect to need a second one.
After the win, Palmer asked her mother to stand, calling her the driving force behind the company’s success.
“Her dedication kept the business alive long before we knew how to run it,” Palmer said. “We’re still trying to figure it out.”
She told her mother the award belonged to her as much as it did to them.
Palmer also honored their cleaners, calling them the backbone of the company. She said the role often gets overlooked and rarely receives the acknowledgment it deserves.
“They give our clients peace of mind and give us a company to be proud of,” Palmer said.
Pinnacle Building Services is a commercial cleaning company, specializing in floor care. Morgan and Palmer took over after their mother retired.
Small Business Awards finalists
Each business received an award for being a finalist as well as had a video presented highlighting their business, sponsored by Mechanics Bank and created by DRM Productions Inc.
Finalists included small for-profit businesses in both the “14-or-fewer employees” and “15+ employees” categories, plus several nonprofit organizations.
Finalists for 14 or fewer employees:
• Hercules Car Wash
• McCready Interiors/Norwalk – The Furniture Idea
• Olive & Oak
Finalists for 15 or more employees:
• Cline Fire
• Pinnacle Advisors
• Pinnacle Building Services
The winners for large and small nonprofits had already been announced — Ohio Bird Sanctuary and Ultimate Veterans Adventures.
(Photos from the 2025 Small Business of the Year Awards. Credit: Hannah Martin)
