Awards

2018-     Fauquier Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year

Fauquier County Chamber Names Discovery Publications Best Small Business

The Fauquier Chamber of Commerce held its 32nd Annual Meeting and Awards Gala on November 4 at Stoneridge Events Center in Warrenton. In addition to naming its Business Person of the year, Large Business of the Year, and Nonprofit of the year, the Chamber named our own Discovery Publications as the 2018 Small Business of the Year. The award was accepted by our owner and publisher, Kathy Harper.

Discovery Publications has an amazing 27-year history. At the request of several local businesses, Fauquier County advertising executive Bill Harper, along with his wife Kathy, launched the business as a vehicle to promote local businesses, first in Fauquier County (on February 14, 1991) and then in Prince William County a year later.

The Harpers understood the importance of finding new ways to support their clients, and as a result, editorial pieces were introduced. The front-page article was the first to make its debut, followed by several other highlights, such as “Focus on Business” articles and “Business Profiles.”

After Bill’s passing in 1996, Kathy was left with the sole responsibility of running the business. She continued to follow the mission that Bill set forth: “We pledge to provide high-quality advertising and ‘people-friendly’ articles to the community. We will also encourage support for local businesses which, in turn, support the community. We take pride in enabling our readers to discover the community’s values…its goods and services, and the people who make it all worthwhile.”

As time passed, Kathy realized that supporting local community and nonprofit organizations with positive press would ultimately be more beneficial to the entire community. These organizations—with a broad range of missions, including health and wellness, theatre and music, community service, youth development, and much more—have since been regularly featured in “Community Profiles,” “Your Business & Community in Action,” and other editorial pieces—like this one. In 2011, she launched the inaugural Discovery Publications Home & Garden Show, another opportunity to connect business owners and potential clients. This annual spring event continues to grow.

Kathy says she would not have received this award without the help of her staff of sales representatives, graphic artists, writers, and administrative support. Western Prince William sales representatives include Katie Quadrini (Kathy and Bill’s daughter) and Monique Laventure. They are dedicated to working with clients on advertising and ways to promote their business through editorial features.

Discovery Publications’ clients have been happy with their results and continue to advertise with our papers over the years. “They understand that the health of the businesses and charities of the community are intrinsically intertwined with their own business and the overall health of the community,” says one longtime advertiser. “It’s a friendly paper,” says another business owner. “I watch people pick it up, read it, and respond to it.”

Thanks to its ever-positive tone, Discovery Publications has long been referred to as “the good news newspaper” that paints pictures of organizations, situations, and issues that positively impact the community. “Our hope is that we continue to help businesses to grow while connecting them to the community,” Kathy says.

2015-     Woodbine Church Certificate of Appreciation

2011-     American Cancer Society Outstanding Media Partner Western Division

2009-     Conservation Business Partner by the John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District.

2009-     Outstanding Media Partner, American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division, Inc., Western Virginia.

2008-     Outstanding Media Partner, American Cancer Society, North Western Region 9.

2007-     Virginia Small Business Journalist of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

2006-     Business Person of the Year by the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce.

 

2006-     “Wo-mentor” (A woman who owns a business and mentors other women) by the Fauquier Business and Professional Women.

2001-     Spirit of Business Award by the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce.

1999-     Louis E. Maroon Award (Business of the Year) by the Prince William-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce.