Pawsitive Impact Awards
Celebraing Dedication, Community & Excellence
The Pawsitive Impact Awards celebrate the outstanding partnerships and achievements that have made a significant difference in our community and industry. Established by The Bear Factory, these awards honor the dedication, innovation, and sustainability efforts of our valued customers, partners, and collaborators. Each year, we come together to recognize those who exemplify the values of excellence, growth, and heart, leaving a lasting impact that resonates far beyond the business world.
“I’m incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding individuals and organizations that make the Pawsitive Impact Awards so special. These awards honor the dedication, innovation, and sustainability efforts of our partners and customers who go above and beyond to create lasting change. Together, we’re not just shaping the future of our industry—we’re making a positive impact that will be felt for generations to come.”
– Jimmy Banish, COO, The Bear Factory
Pawsitive Impact Award Categories
We’d like to thank our customers for your business and support as we celebrate this great achievement & recognition.
Customer of the Year
Celebrates a customer who has shown exceptional commitment, support, and growth in partnership with The Bear Factory.
Heart of Gold
Named in honor of Co-Founder Renee McLean, this award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated remarkable generosity, kindness, and dedication to making a difference.
Collaboration Excellence
Recognizes a partner or customer who has demonstrated outstanding teamwork and cooperation, driving collective success and long-lasting impact.
Sustainability Partner
Acknowledges a partner or customer who has led the way in environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
Loyalty
Celebrates a customer or partner whose unwavering dedication and continued support have been key to building a lasting and successful relationship with The Bear Factory.
Growth Partner
Honors a partner whose collaborative efforts have significantly contributed to mutual success and expansion.
Celebrating our 2024 Award Winners
We are honored to recognize the incredible contributions of our 2024 Pawsitive Impact Award Winners! These outstanding partners exemplify excellence, innovation, and passion, making a lasting impact on our industry and beyond:
Congratulations to all our winners! Your achievements inspire us to keep raising the bar and creating lasting memories together.
Customer of the Year:
The Bear Factory, a leader in sustainable and innovative plush products, is pleased to announce Craig Heitkamp, Owner and Founder of The College Agency, as the recipient of the 2024 Pawsitive Impact Award for Customer of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes Craig’s outstanding commitment to partnership and his role in shaping The Bear Factory’s unique and impactful ‘Build Your Own Plush’ experiences across various markets.
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Collaboration excellence:
The Bear Factory LLC, a pioneer in sustainable and high-quality plush manufacturing, is pleased to announce Northgate Holdings as the winner of the prestigious Collaboration Partner of the Year award, part of the company’s inaugural Pawsitive Impact Awards. This award celebrates Northgate’s ongoing commitment to partnership and their exceptional contributions to shared goals of delivering unforgettable experiences through sustainable practices.
Click the button below read the full article about Northgate Resort!
Growth Partner:
The Bear Factory is pleased to announce that Herschend Family Entertainment has been awarded the Growth Partner accolade at the first annual Pawsitive Impact Awards. This recognition honors Herschend Family Entertainment’s outstanding dedication and success in expanding their partnership with The Bear Factory, significantly advancing their unique, sustainable, and high-quality plush offerings to guests across their family of attractions.
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Heart of Gold:
The Bear Factory is delighted to announce Paula Sayage, Owner and Founder of Fun Stuff Express, as the recipient of the Heart of Gold Award at the 2024 Pawsitive Impact Awards. This prestigious award, named in memory of the late Renee McLean, a beloved founding family member of The Bear Factory, celebrates exceptional kindness, generosity, and dedication to community values within the industry.
Click the button below read the full article about Fun Stuff Express!
Loyalty Award:
The Bear Factory, a leader in premier plush products, is proud to announce Tara Heersping and Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls as the winner of the Loyalty Award at the 2024 Pawsitive Impact Awards. This prestigious award recognizes the enduring partnership and exceptional dedication demonstrated by Tara Heersping, Director of Retail, Attractions, and Brand Experience, and the entire Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls team in supporting The Bear Factory’s mission of creating unforgettable experiences through innovative and eco-friendly products.
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Sustainability leader:
The Bear Factory is proud to recognize the Fort Worth Zoo with the prestigious Pawsitive Impact Award for Sustainability, celebrating their exceptional efforts in animal conservation. With an unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife, the Zoo has supported over 30 global conservation initiatives, focusing on endangered species and ecosystems. Through their leadership, they have helped develop and sustain nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving wildlife across the world. From elephants to amphibians, their outreach spans continents, making a global difference in environmental protection.
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Our Commitment To The Social & Environmental Landscape
Being a family-owned and operated company, we share a close relationship with our local community and have made a commitment to preserve the area we live in as well as the planet we live on. We take Social and Environmental issues seriously and passionately to be the best we can be.
Click the button below to learn more about what we’re doing and how you can get involved.
Our Global Distributors
Since opening in 2001, The Bear Factory has supported small businesses to Fortune 500 companies all over the globe. We’ve found that once our Huggable, Lovable Friends make their way into a new market, everyone seems to love the Build Your Own Plush concept. To support local economic growth in a new market segment, we’ve made a conscious effort to partner with like-minded individuals in the specific countries we’ve seen potential in.
By partnering with and supporting a local business, we are able to provide the same excellent service, quality, and values we hold in the highest regard. Our TBF Distributors are hardworking, family-owned businesses like ours and are committed to creating a positive impact in their community.
Click the button below to learn more About Our Distributors.
