On May 4th, 2022, SCORE hosted the 2022 Small Business Awards Gala. SCORE Greater Seattle hosts this event each year with support from the SBA and its Resource Partner Network of: SBDC, WBC, and VBOC. The event celebrates and honors outstanding entrepreneurs and small businesses from across our communities.
2022 Small Business Person of the Year
Notably, the top award for the 2022 Washington Small Business Person of the Year was given to Efrem Fesaha of Boon Boona Coffee. Efrem opened the doors to Boon Boona in Renton on January 7th, 2019. That same day, he had just begun pursuing his MBA at Seattle University.
Efrem has participated in a variety of offerings at Business Impact NW. Just three months before he opened the doors to his first shop, he had won Best Community of Color-Owned Business at Business Impact NW's Impact Pitch 2018. “The opportunity to win, it really meant a lot. It was a surprise to us, and it really helped us with the buildout,” he stated.
Fast forward just 3 years and Boon Boona is rapidly growing. Its second location now in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Efrem noted, "Above all, as challenging as the last 3 years have been, I am grateful to still be living out my wildest dream. Thank you to all who have supported."
2022 Women's Business Center Client of The Year
Lumenomics Founder & CEO Marti Hoffer was awarded the 2022 Women's Business Center Client of The Year Award.
Over the past 12 years, Marti has grown lumenomics from just 2 employees at its inception to now having 38 employees and over 50 independent contractors on staff. Marti has intentionally invested in pursuing and hiring underrepresented groups in the construction industry including women, LGBTQ+, racial minorities, immigrants, and refugees. Today, lumenomics is made up of 46% women.
"Being recognized at this level for giving back to [and inspiring] my community validates lumenomics' core values of 'equity' and 'community'" noted Marti.
2022 Veterans Business Outreach Center Client of The Year
Die Hard RC Founder Brenda Wilson was awarded the 2022 Veterans Business Outreach Center Client of the Year Award.
An educator, leader, and military veteran, Brenda Wilson is also a community-builder who is passionate about inspiring others to explore and utilize drones and remote-control technology in personal, professional, and research capacities.
Additionally, she participated in Business Impact NW's 2018 Impact Pitch competition. She earned a finalist spot and took the skills learned onto winning the 2019 Ford Fund Grant for Business Owners.
"In 2018, when I left my 27-year career with a fortune 50 company, I reached out to the VBOC [at] Business Impact NW for coaching... I have had 24 coaching sessions with the VBOC. Each one has helped me to learn and grow as a person and as a business." noted Brenda.
