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Executive's Small Business Awards
Beginning in 2025, OEOCE is the new producer of the Executive’s Small Business Awards.
2025 Executive's Small Business of the Year Awards
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Executive's Small Business of the Year awards.
Go to the 2025 ESBA page to view the winners of each category
Executive's Small Business Award categories
Small Business of the Year
The U.S. Census Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were 71,070 non-farm firms with employees in King County during 2010, and 95% of these had 50 or fewer employees. The challenges to operating a small business are infinite and often daunting, but the collective contributions of small businesses are vital to the diversity and growth of the county's economy. On behalf of all small businesses throughout the county, this award is given to the small business that best exemplifies the tenacity, perspicacity, and audacity it takes to successfully operate a small business.
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
The U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 Survey of Business Owners showed that minority-owned businesses accounted for 21.3% of all non-farm U.S. businesses. King County's percentage of minority-owned businesses was over 13%. Given this significant ownership percentage, this award recognizes the minority-owned business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by minority-owned businesses in King County.
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
The U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 Survey of Business Owners showed that women-owned businesses accounted for 28.7% of all non-farm U.S. businesses. King County had the 14th highest percentage among all U.S. counties for women-owned businesses at 29%. Given this significant ownership percentage, this award recognizes the woman-owned business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by women-owned businesses in King County.
Exporting Small Business of the Year
Economies grow through trade, by exporting their products and services globally. This brings in income which allows wages to rise and the tax base for critical public infrastructure and services to grow. Consistent with the President's National Export Initiative to double our nation's exports in five years, this award recognizes the small business that has achieved significant increased international sales through existing and/or new international markets.
Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year
King County is a hotbed of innovation in the field of sustainability and has a rich history of environmental stewardship. This award recognizes the small business that has achieved excellence in the creation and implementation of sustainable business practices. Practices include waste and recycling programs, water stewardship, energy management, efficiency in the built environment, or any other significant effort designed to limit the way a business impacts our local environment.
Workforce Small Business of the Year
A skilled workforce is vital to the growth of businesses and our economy. This award recognizes the small business with outstanding practices in hiring, retaining, and developing the skills of its workers. Practices include on-the-job training or support for ongoing skill development; partnerships with other businesses, education institutions, community organizations or government agencies; internships, mentorships or other practices that allow young people to learn about and gain skills in the business/industry; or other practices that demonstrate effective and innovative hiring, retention and training.
Rural Small Business of the Year
The rural economy is an important link to the urban area and provides opportunities for residents to both live and work in the rural area. The King County Strategic Plan supports rural economic development that maintains the character of the rural area. This award recognizes the small business that has achieved excellence in one of the traditional rural industry clusters - agriculture, forestry, equine, home-based, or other.
Creative Economy Small Business of the Year
The creative businesses of King County make our region culturally vibrant and economically strong, while uplifting our quality of life. The award for Creative Economy Small Business of the Year recognizes the small business with outstanding achievement in the generation or production of art, film, music, design, media, architecture, fashion, advertising, or gaming, demonstrating agility and innovation in response to market need and contributing to the growth of the economy in our region.
Past ESBA winners from 2011 to 2023
Due to COVID-19, no Executive's Small Business Awards were given from 2020 through 2023.
Small Business of the Year - Intelligent Partnerships
- Finalist - Lumenomics
- Finalist – Notkin Mechanical Engineers
- Finalist – Square Peg Development / Construction?
Rural Small Business of the Year – Steel Wheel Farm
- Finalist – Black Fish Spirits Distillery
- Finalist - Rent-a-Ruminant LLC
- Finalist - The Grange
Exporting Small Business of the Year – Impact Bioenergy Inc. (now Chomp)
- Finalist – Breedt Production
- Finalist – JC Logistics
- Finalist – MacDonald Meat Company
Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – Moonie Icy Tunes
- Finalist – Ballard Sheet Metal Works
- Finalist – Bob Oates Plumbing
- Finalist – Stillwater Massage
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Planled
- Finalist – Daramola Inc.
- Finalist – Drag and Drop Creative
- Finalist – Salus Architecture
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Project Corps
- Finalist – Anthro Tech
- Finalist – Rail Hop’n Brewing Company
- Finalist – Susan’s Green Cleaning
Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – Sustainable Business Consulting
- Finalist – Forest Concepts LLC
- Finalist – Johnson Barrow Inc
- Finalist – SBW Consulting Inc
Small Business of the Year - TomboyX
- Finalist - Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law PLLC
- Finalist - Cortona LLC
- Finalist - Dan the Sausageman
- Finalist - Repair Revolution
Rural Small Business of the Year - Reber Ranch
- Finalist - Eye of the Needle Winery
- Finalist - Productive Performance, Inc
- Finalist - Sidetrack Distillery
Exporting Small Business of the Year - Pier2 Marketing
- Finalist - Codeproof Technologies Inc
- Finalist - Whooshh Innovations
Workforce Development Small Business of the Year - Cognission Corporation (DBA Sponge)
- Finalist - Gardico, Inc
- Finalist - PowerScreen of Washington
- Finalist - Simma Restoration Group LLC
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year - Concord Engineering
- Finalist - 2A
- Finalist - EHS-International, Inc
- Finalist - Warner Marketing, Inc
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year - Triangle Associates
- Finalist - Ergosynch
- Finalist - Leading Retirement Solutions
- Finalist - Red Arrow Logistics
Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year - Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™
- Finalist - Artisan Electric Inc
- Finalist - Friendly Earth International Inc
- Finalist - Mr. Pressure Wash
- Small Business of the Year – Odin Brewery
- Rural Small Business of the Year – Keep It Simple
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – Industrial Revolution
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – Falco Sult and Company
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – LDC, Inc.
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Evia
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – Pacific Rim Environmental
- Small Business of the Year – GardnerGlobal
- Rural Small Business of the Year – First Light Farm
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – KuKuRuZa Gourmet Popcorn
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – Uyeta Landscape & Maintenance, Inc.
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Schemata Workshop
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Team Soapbox
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – 3R Technology
- Small Business of the Year – Chameleon Technologies
- Rural Small Business of the Year – Seattle Urban Farm Company
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – Athena Marketing International (AMI)
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – A&R Solar
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Integrated Design Engineers LLC
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Asante Salon
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – OneEnergy Renewables
- Small Business of the Year – Fremont Brewing Company
- Rural Small Business of the Year – Krainick Dairy, LLC.
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – Concut Inc.
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – Community Attributes Inc.
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Global Venture
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Fyer-Knowles, Inc.
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – Cascadia Consulting Group
- Small Business of the Year – Keeney’s Office Supply
- Rural Small Business of the Year – Growing Things Farm
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – Pacific Valley Foods
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – DRY Soda
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – TokuSaku Consulting
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Equinox Business Law Group PLLC
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – Green Canopy Homes
- Small Business of the Year – Easy Street Records
- Rural Small Business of the Year – The Root Connection
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – Enprecis
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – Kona Kai Coffee Company
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – General Microsystems, Inc.
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Seattle Chocolates
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – MicroEnergy Credits
- Small Business of the Year – Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
- Rural Small Business of the Year – Rockridge Orchards and Cidery
- Exporting Small Business of the Year – Paula's Choice, Inc.
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year – Seidelhuber Iron and Bronze Works
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Triple XXX Rootbeer
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – PRR Inc.
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year – General Biodiesel
ESBA application frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Beginning in 2025, the ESBAs have moved to an application (self-nomination) process. Please share this application with your favorite King County businesses and encourage them to apply.
No - All past winners from any year and in any category are ineligible to reapply.
However, past finalists that did not win can reapply. Review the list of past winners.
No - all applicants must be a for-profit business in operation for at least three years.
For the ESBAs, a business must have 50 or fewer employees. We do not consider revenue/income or other factors in defining "small."
Businesses may self-determine rural status. If there’s a reasonable case for your business to be considered rural, you may count yourself in. Examples include being based in a small town center surrounded by farmland or wilderness, or being located in a primarily rural area and also serving primarily rural populations.
We recognize that some areas are less clear-cut. While King County’s official regional planning maps use technical Urban Growth Area boundaries, for this award the definition is more flexible.
Yes. A business must have its primary physical location in King County to be eligible to apply. Online-only businesses must be registered to a physical address in King County.
Yes, a business may apply in more than one category. However, you will need to complete a separate application form for each entry.
Your business qualifies for both categories. We cannot advise individual businesses on the “best” category to choose if more than one applies. We suggest all applicants submit for the categories in which you’re qualified and where the business impact story is most powerful. Also consider the Small Business of the Year general category.