Summary:

King County Executive Shannon Braddock has announced the winners of the 2025 Executive's Small Business Awards, recognizing outstanding local enterprises that are driving innovation, creating jobs, and enriching the cultural and economic fabric of the region. The awards were presented during a ceremony held on October 1 and highlighted businesses across sectors ranging from technology and hospitality to agriculture and the arts. The awards program received 107 applications from across the county, and finalists and winners were selected by a panel of local business leaders and recognized for excellence in innovation, community impact, workforce development, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.

King County Executive Shannon Braddock has announced the winners of the 2025 Executive’s Small Business Awards, honoring outstanding local enterprises that are driving innovation, creating jobs, and enriching the cultural and economic fabric of the region. The awards were presented during a ceremony held October 1 and highlighted businesses across sectors ranging from technology and hospitality to agriculture and the arts.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our neighborhoods, reflecting the rich diversity of our region,” said Executive Braddock. “This year’s winners and finalists embody the spirit of entrepreneurship, equity, and sustainability that makes King County thrive.”

Now in its 13th year, the awards program received 107 applications from across the county. Finalists and winners were selected by a panel of local business leaders and recognized for excellence in innovation, community impact, workforce development, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.

2025 Executive’s Small Business Award Winners and Finalists:

• Small Business of the Year Winner: Able Environments, LLC (Woodinville) Finalists: El Mixteco Aguas Frescas and More LLC (Seattle); Triple Bottom Line Construction (Seattle)

• Workforce Development Small Business of the Year Winner: Bellden Cafe (Bellevue) Finalists: Project Feast and Ubuntu Street Café (Kent); Northwest Credible Messenger (Federal Way)

• Creative Economy Small Business of the Year Winner: Baile Dior Studios LLC (Renton) Finalists: BLASTFEST (Seattle); MLK Commissary LLC (Seattle)

• Rural Small Business of the Year Winner: Lora Lee’s Family Farm (Duvall) Finalists: Aroma Coffee Co. (Fall City); Chickadee Bakeshop (Snoqualmie)

• Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Winner: Abyssinia Salon and Beauty School (Renton, Kent, and Kenya) Finalists: Cole Cleaning Solutions (Skyway); Growing Contigo LLC (Seattle)

• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year Winner: Women in Cloud (Sammamish) Finalists: FMS Global Strategies (Tukwila); Noir Lux Candle Bar (Seattle)

• Sustainable Small Business of the Year Winner: Recompose (Seattle) Finalists: Puget Sound Solar (Seattle); Triple Bottom Line Construction (Seattle)

• Exporting Small Business of the Year Winner: O’dlee Collective (Seattle) Finalists: FIAlab Instruments Inc. (Seattle); LILOTREE (Redmond)

The Executive’s Small Business Awards are hosted by the King County Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy, with support from community partners and sponsors. Since its inception in 2012, the program has recognized the vital contributions of small businesses in shaping a thriving, inclusive, and culturally rich regional economy.