FiveStar Awards and Engraving

Our Story

We are committed to building relationships with our customers for the long haul and are humbled that some of our very first customers from more than 20 years ago do business with us to this day. Our artwork, engraving, and etching are done in house—we are not a third party supplier.
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Unlike many awards businesses, FiveStar did not evolve from a family business or a history of trophy building—although FiveStar is now very much a family business! Lisa and husband Jeff together own FiveStar, and they create a family-style culture for their employees.
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Our team has more than 35 combined years of industry experience and stays involved with continuing education and new technology, so we can provide these services to our customers.

Industry Involvement

FiveStar belongs to the Awards and Personalization Association (APA) and Lisa actively contributes to the industry through her membership on several national committees. In 2021, after six years of serving on the association’s Board of Directors, she became President of the international association and will serve in this capacity through 2022. A passionate advocate for industry education, Lisa chaired the APA Education Committee for 2 years, and serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Awards and Recognition Industry Educational Foundation (ARIEF).

Industry Accolades

The ultimate recognition, in Lisa’s opinion, is to be celebrated by your industry. Being awarded the 2012 Small Business Retailer of the Year was just that for the FiveStar team. APA presents one coveted gold obelisk per year each to a small and large business from the association’s international membership. FiveStar added a second obelisk to the collection when Lisa was awarded the 2018 Volunteer of the Year gold obelisk. And in 2019, FiveStar received a clear obelisk for Best Retailer Website.

Community Accolades

FiveStar was named Small Business of the Year in 2020 by the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce. Also in 2020, Lisa was named one of five Women of Western Wake, after a challenging year and a Covid pivot. FiveStar produced Halos For Heroes, making face shields and distributing them in partnership with a Rotary District grant to area assisted living facilities, regional hospitals, and groups that were underserved by available PPE.

Education is Priority

Every year, our team attends the APA International Awards and Personalization Expo in Las Vegas. In addition to sourcing new ideas, seeing industry products and technology, and spending time with suppliers and friends from across the world, we go to the show for continuing education opportunities.

Community Service

We are firmly committed to giving back. Lisa is a member of Rotary International, and is a proud member of Rotary District 7710. She has been a charter member of the Apex Sunrise Rotary Club (President 2015-2016), a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of the Paul Harris Society. Jeff is also a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Apex Sunrise Rotary Club. Jeff and Lisa are members of and actively serve at Hope Community Church in Raleigh, NC. On a business and personal level, they are supporters of Operation Coming Home and Hope for Haiti Foundation. The company is also actively involved with the Apex, Holly Springs, and Morrisville Chambers of Commerce.