The winners for the 2012 Small Business Awards are:

See 2011 Finalists, Winners and Sponsors

Small Business Eligibility

To be eligible for any of the awards, a business must:

• Be located in King County
• Have 50 or fewer employees
• Be a for-profit business in operation for at least 3 years
• Be nominated by a chamber, city, or business association. The program cannot accept self-nominations.

Watch 2012 Awards ceremony

2012 Small Business Award Sponsors

2012 Award Categories

Small Business of the Year

In the first quarter of 2010, the Washington State Employment Security Department reported King County had 79,022 firms of which 75,646 had 50 or fewer employees. The challenges to running a small business are infinite and often daunting, but the collective contributions of small businesses are vital to the county's economy. On behalf of all small businesses throughout the county, this award will be given to the small business that best exemplifies the tenacity, perspicacity, and audacity it takes to successfully operate a small business. 

2012 Small Business of the Year finalists:
Easy Street Records | Seattle
Kenmore Camera | Kenmore
Trophy Cupcakes and Party | Seattle – Bellevue

Minority Small Business of the Year

The US Census Bureau’s 2007 Survey of Business Owners showed that minority-owned businesses accounted for 21.3% of all non-farm US 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.

2012 Minority Small Business of the Year finalists:
General Microsystems Inc. | Bellevue
Idea Entity Corporation | Bellevue
Nesby Associates | Renton

Woman Small Business of the Year

The US Census Bureau’s 2007 Survey of Business Owners showed that women-owned businesses accounted for 28.7% of all non-farm US businesses. King County had the 14^th highest percentage among all US 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.

2012 Woman Small Business of the Year finalists:
Dynamic Language | Seattle
Global Resource Group | Bellevue
Seattle Chocolates | Tukwila

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.

2012 Exporting Small Business of the Year finalists:
Enprecis | Seattle
Pacific Metallurgical | Kent
TransNET Inc. | Issaquah

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.

2012 Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year finalists:
MicroEnergy Credits | Seattle 
Natural and Built Environments | Kirkland
Model Remodel | Seattle
 

Workforce Development 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.

2012 Workforce Development Small Business of the Year finalists:
Kona Kai Coffee Company | Kent
Thinkspace | Redmond
Thrive | Seattle

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 King County supports rural economic development that maintains the character of the rural area. This award recognizes the rural small business that has achieved excellence in one of the traditional rural industry clusters - agriculture, forestry, equine, home-based, or other.

2012 Rural Small Business of the Year finalists:
Jubilee Biodynamic Farm Inc. | Snoqualmie APD*
Mosby Farms | Upper Green APD*
The Root Connection | Sammamish APD*

*Agriculture Production District

2012 Award Partners