AACCC 2012 Small Business of the Year

Zia Boccaccio, owner and Creative Director for Alpaca International, is proud to have received the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce 2012 Small Business of the Year Award. At the October awards event, Boccaccio commented, “As I stand here to receive the Small Business of the Year Award, I suddenly realized I was living the American Dream.”

The award signifies her amazing journey that started in the mountains of Peru. There, Boccaccio built a vertically integrated business which manages the South American Camelids, harvest their precious wool, and makes the lush garments. Alpaca International has since expanded to include stores in Annapolis, Washington D.C., Park City, Utah, and Juneau, Alaska, as well as her signature store in Peru.

She attributes her success to the passion she has for her work - creating an outstanding product which has become increasingly popular. Alpaca has become one of the leading fashion names in the area.

On November 2 [2012], Alpaca joined forces with Koren Ray of Hobo (an Entrepreneur of the Year nominee) and Morgan Gerard Salon and Spa of West Annapolis to create the Second Annual Bay Theatre Fashion Show fundraiser benefiting the theatre. Boccaccio and Ray launched their outstanding fall and winter collections at the event. It was a truly winning combination.

Zia has been a long-time supporter of CASA for the past eight years. She has attended numerous CASAblanca galas and donated her glorious Alpaca capes to multiple CASA events.