The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce has announced their 2016 class for their Business Hall of Fame.

Back in 2011 the Hall was created to honour those that have shaped the Humboldt and area business landscape and none are more deserving than longtime Diamonds of Detroit owner Michelle Bankowski.

"Oh wow, I was really, really surprised," Bankowski said from her home in Saskatoon about the call she received with the news that she would be the lone inductee this year on March 11th at the Chamber's Mark of Excellence Awards.

"Just totally taken off guard, I didn't expect it all," she added.

Bankowski opened Diamonds back in 1985, at that time there was two other jewelry stores in Humboldt but hers seen to be the only one that showed long term success. Admittedly Bankowski said her long run maybe even exceeded her own expectations.

"I had a vision of having a beautiful jewelry store and I just thought with really good hard work and discipline we could make it go. Humboldt and the jewelry store, the whole experience has been very good to me and my family."

Along the way Bankowski collected numerous Mark of Excellence Award honours as well as three ABEX awards. Those come from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. She won the service award in 2003 and 2013, in 2013 she also took home the top business award in all of the province. However this latest recognition tops the list.

"Coming from a smaller centre perhaps you don't really expect to win some those awards and receive that kind of recognition and certainly receiving business of the year for the entire province was definitely one of my highlights. I have to say being entered into the Business Hall of Fame probably tops everything because Humboldt is my hometown."

Even running a busy business, Bankowski managed to volunteer for a number of local non-profit groups. She was involved with the local Health Foundation, she was also a board member with PARTNERS Family Services. The last two Summers she chaired their 'Community Rising' galas raising thousands of dollars for the family support organization as well as also being the driving force behind the 'Rush for Gold' campaign.

She believes giving back to the community you serve is a key to business success as well.

"When you are in business it is really important to give back to your community and I guess over my career my big thing was try and make a difference in other people's lives and if you do things come to you."

Since selling Diamonds, Bankowski has since moved to Saskatoon with her husband Kevin to be able to spent more time with their family and grandchildren although she is keeping busy with some business consulting in the Bridge City.

Tickets are still available for the MOEA, call 682-4990 to reserve your seat.

You can hear more from Bankowski below in her interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork.