TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- Will Nicklin spent much of his life working in the corporate world before deciding in 2008 to take a leap of faith, and start his own business with his wife.

Apparel, signs, banners, products with logos and laser engraving fill an office in the basement of a building formerly used by Topeka's Frye-Allen advertising company. Frye-Allen has gone out of business, but Nicklin's Riverside Marketing & Promotions has continued to steadily grow in its four years. It's in that basement office that Nicklin and his wife run their business, display the work they've done, and show potential clients what they can do for them and their business or organization.

Riverside Marketing is a 2012 nominee for the Emerging Entrepreneur Award. "We are very honored and humbled, and we've just been blessed by the growth we've had," Nicklin said. "We just hope that it was what we've done in the community that helped us get to where we are."

It's safe to say Nicklin's company is doing its part to give back. Riverside donates time and product to non-profits and their events, ministries, and they help people in small businesses get started.

"We just always believed in helping out and giving back," Nicklin said. And it's paid off. Nicklin and his marketing director, Meg Guindon, aren't sure who nominated them for the small business award.

"We just love seeing the finished product and seeing people get to use it," Guindon said. "I'm very excited for Will and his wife. They've put a lot of work in this."

Another small business award nominee, Education Credit Union, uses Riverside Marketing for some of their promotional items. ECU is nominated for the Capital City Business of Distinction Award.

Riverside Marketing & Promotions is one of three nominees for the Emerging Entrepreneur Award. The other nominees include Shop Gracie B and Stage Coach, LLC. Winners of the 2012 Small Business Awards will be announced at a special luncheon Wednesday, May 16.