what’ s working
excellence in washington family-owned business
The Excellence in Family-Owned Business Award is given to a family-owned business that sets the bar for growth, service, and personal connection. winner: northwest health care linen, of Bellingham, is the steady cycle of care and clean behind Washington’ s health care system. But, as one employee said,“ We are more than wash, rinse, repeat.”
Founded in 1992, this second-generation family-owned business now serves 17 hospitals and more than 500 clinics— delivering more than 20 million pounds of hygienically clean linens annually throughout the Puget Sound region.
They’ ve scaled with purpose, investing in green tech, inclusive hiring, and lasting partnerships. Integrity, quality, and care guide every decision. finalists:
• Seattle Chocolate Company is a familyowned, woman-led business that rebranded to Maeve to advance its mission: making the world better through chocolate.
• The Columbian, based in Vancouver, is a family-owned newspaper that keeps reinvesting to serve Southwest Washington for the long haul.
washington veterans & families award
The Washington Veterans and Families Award recognizes employers that support veterans, service members, and military spouses through strong hiring and retention practices. winner: association for integrated healing, Olympia, helps veterans and military families reenter the workforce with purpose.
Through partnership with WorkEx, the agency offers hands-on internships where service members explore healing careers and gain realworld experience.
AIH prioritizes lived military experience and builds trauma-informed roles for long-term success.“ We lead with care, because we’ ve lived it,” wrote founder and healing advisor Kim Nedrow.
With a board rooted in military life and a team culture built on purpose, they walk alongside those who’ ve served— creating pathways to wellbeing and purpose.
“ We lead with care, because we’ ve lived it.”
- Kim Nedrow, founder and healing advisor, Association for Integrated Healing, winner of the Washington Veterans & Families Award
30 association of washington business