Jax Wax, owned by the husband-and-wife team of Tina and Geoff Copeland, produces a blended wax used for a variety of products from surfboard makers and beauty salons to wineries.

Mr Copeland said news of the award was a pleasant surprise and it was good to be recognised for the company's efforts and achievements.

"Everyone says it's hard to run a small business and some things, I think, are hard.

"But the old idea that everything gets easier after five years is somewhat true."

Jax Wax, which employs four part-time workers, exports products to Singapore, China, New Zealand, Iceland and the United Kingdom.

Mr Copeland said the company was not a retail business but sold through a range of distribution networks.

"We sell products for a lot of unrelated industries that all use wax products, from hair removal and beauty products to wax for corking bottles, snow-ski and surfboard wax, and products for industrial laundries."

The winners of the Telstra Victorian Business Awards will be announced on September 19. Deatils: 1800 262 323.