Suffolk Executive Offices took home the award for “Top to Watch” from the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce last Friday.

“I was very shocked that I won,” said Richard Chaing, co-founder and owner of Suffolk Executive Offices. “I was eating cake when they announced it, because I didn’t think I was going to win.”

Chaing’s business went up against five other small businesses — Array Digital, Candie’s Treats Bakery and More, Commune, Productive AV and Wasserhund Brewing Company.

The award recognizes a small business that has been around for less than three years, has fewer than 99 employees or introduced a new product or entered a new market.

Chaing launched Suffolk Executive Offices less than a year ago.

“I was going against a media company, and I figured they had a huge platform for social media and getting votes. Another business just looked like they had their act together,” Chaing said. “I was very surprised when they called my name, and it was an honor.”

Chaing believes the success of his business is from involving the community and bringing new ideas to the city.

Suffolk Executive Offices has a downtown networking group to help connect businesspeople with others to help grow their respective businesses.

“We just try and get the community involved,” Chaing said.

Chaing’s business helps business owners and entrepreneurs grow their own businesses without having to use all of their capital.

The offices, located at 425 W. Washington St., provide fully furnished office spaces with everything a new business could need – chairs, copiers, desks and even coffee. All they need to get started is their laptop, Chaing said.

The idea to provide so much for tenants came from working in commercial real estate for 18 years. Chaing and his father were providing office space with nothing inside, and they would see owners struggle to stay afloat before having to leave.

“We want them to succeed and if they do, well, they can pay us rent,” Chaing said.

The award reminded Chaing of all the hard work he put into his business.

“I think this award is icing on the cake for us, and winning the award lets us know we are going in the right direction,” Chaing said. “The Chamber of Commerce sees we are making an impact, and they are watching what we are doing.”

Also at the Hampton Roads Chamber’s 2018 Small Business of the Year awards, The Catering Place was awarded the Suffolk Small Business of the Year award. SimIS Inc., of Portsmouth, won the regional Small Business of the Year award, beating out The Catering Place and citywide winners from Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.