And the Winners Are: Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center, Excellence in Small Business (1-10 Employees)

What happens when a multi-sports training facility enters the local business arena?

If it’s Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center, the whole community benefits — which is one reason they won the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Excellence in Small Business award for businesses with one to ten employees.

Located in Woodbridge, Competitive Edge specializes in training student-athletes looking to improve their sport-specific skills. But these young athletes also train in speed and agility, injury prevention, nutrition and health, developing what Competitive Edge calls “the complete athlete.”

The facility boasts 20,000 square feet equipped with batting cages, pitching tunnels, running speed lanes, a virtual golf station, weight room and more. And while the focus is on students, adults are also invited to join in the fun by taking part in separate fitness activities.  

Operations Manager Shanel Evans said she believes Competitive Edge has a “family atmosphere and strong ties to the community,” that have contributed to their success. “We do a lot of work with the schools, local club teams and expanding our roles with the military and family events,” she said.

“I also think our athletes are our best advertising because coaches can see them getting better because of the training and programs we offer,” said Evans.

Last year, Competitive Edge was named a 2017 American Small Business Grand Champion by The Score Foundation and Sam’s Club. Evans herself won a Prince William Living magazine Influential Women Award this year. Competitive Edge’s student-athletes have won dozens of awards and championships locally and nationally.

Yet, the Chamber award was not something Evans expected.

“I did not know that we’d be nominated,” she said. “It was a surprise and an honor to be recognized by the business community. We were excited to be nominated, but then to be announced as winner was amazing.”

Growing the business over the past two years has taken innovation, along with the ability to see how the community could most benefit from all Competitive Edge’s resources. Summer camps and clinics have always been popular. But seeing a need, the facility also opened its doors to teams, families and organizations seeking a unique, fun place to hold events. And physical therapy services for all ages are offered onsite through DMV Sports Medicine Institute.

The result is a business that caters to “the complete athlete,” Competitive Edge’s goal.

To other new businesses, Evans offers this advice:

“Business ownership can be challenging and hard to manage,” she said. “But consistency to your original mission and goals will lead to good results.”

“And the Winners Are” is a series highlighting Prince William Chamber of Commerce business award winners.