TWEED Growers owner Grant Cook has claimed Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2013 Northern Rivers Business Awards.

He said winning the award was great, if somewhat unexpected.

"It was a bit of a shock," Mr Cook said.

"My wife actually put the entry in, so I didn't really know much about it."

While Tweed Growers has been a long-standing business, Mr Cook began assisting management five years ago, before going on to buy the business two years ago.

Mr Cook said running the business had been a great journey, despite inevitable challenges along the way.

"Any small business will tell you it's challenging.

"But I obviously enjoy what I'm doing, because I'm still doing it."

After taking over the business, Mr Cook and his wife have gone to new levels of customer service with the introduction of online shopping, home deliveries and - quite recently - an iPhone app.

Mr Cook said such connections with his customers were of high priority. "We're always looking for better ways of doing things."

He said the new iPhone app allowed customers to access exclusive specials and customer loyalty benefits.

Mr Cook said Tweed Growers sourced as much Australian produce as possible, with high quality and reasonable value of utmost importance.

He said while winning the Young Entrepreneur category of the Northern Rivers Business Awards was never something he aimed for, it was a pleasant surprise.

"The main goal is for the customers to be happy, but it's very rewarding when all the hard work pays off."

"For us, it's about building our own community here."