Priority Signs & Graphics was awarded the 2026 Southlake Chamber Small Business of the Year at the annual Southlake Awards Banquet, earning one of the community's highest honors for local businesses.
The recognition comes after over a decade of growth, community involvement and customer service, transforming the company from a new Southlake business in 2013 into a recognized name across the city.
What is the Small Business of the Year award?
Presented by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Frost Bank, the Small Business of the Year Award recognizes companies that impact the community while maintaining a strong reputation for business excellence.
This year's nominees included:
- Priority Signs & Graphics
- Polly Plumbing
- April Willis Consulting
- Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen
- SciFit Center
- S&B Roofing
Why Priority Signs & Graphics won
During the awards presentation, Mayor Shawn McCaskill highlighted the company's commitment to business excellence and community service. Other factors include:
- Active involvement with the Southlake Chamber of Commerce
- Service on community boards and committees
- Support for local nonprofits and charities
- Sponsorships for schools, youth programs and community events
- A strong reputation for customer service
- Long-term relationships built through referrals and repeat customers
Their reaction to winning
Although the company knew it had been nominated, winning was unexpected.
“We honestly weren’t expecting it,” owner Curt Horak said. “With so many great businesses nominated, hearing our name was a special moment and a huge honor for our team.”
For sales team member Cole Carney, the recognition reflected the company’s and its people’s progress.
“Watching the business and our team grow over the years and being part of that growth made this moment meaningful, especially with so many strong nominees,” Carney said.
The team behind it
Company leaders emphasize that the recognition belongs to both employees and ownership.
“It really comes down to our people and the pride they take in what they do every day,” Horak said. “From the way they work with customers to the way they support each other, there’s a real sense of pride in everything they do, and it shows in the final product.”
This team-first philosophy shapes how projects move from concept to completion. Employees work closely with customers throughout the signage process, helping local businesses, developers and community organizations turn ideas into finished work.
Instead of focusing solely on job size or scope, the company prioritizes service, communication and follow-through—an approach they say has built lasting customer relationships and steady growth in Southlake and nearby communities.
Looking ahead
While the award celebrates Priority Signs & Graphics’ achievements over the last 13 years, company leaders see it as motivation to continue serving the community that helped the business grow.
Today, the company works with commercial developers, businesses moving into new lease spaces and regional organizations. As Southlake grows, Priority Signs & Graphics aims to remain what the award recognized it for: a community-minded business committed to its customers and city.
To learn more about this award-winning small business or request a consultation, visit prioritysignsandgraphics.com.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
