The South Snohomish County Chamber's Business Excellence awards honor Snohomish County companies and organizations that incorporate the highest ideals of the South Snohomish County business community.
The Chamber's 2008 HomeStreet Bank Businss Excellence Award winners will be honored at the Chamber's Business Excellence Awards Luncheon June 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mill Creek Golf & Country Club. Visit www.s2c3.com or e-mail info@s2c3.com to register for the luncheon.
Congratulations to:
Comcast
www.comcast.com
Comcast isn't satisfied to provide the most innovative entertainment and communication this side of the galaxy. Comcast and its employees also give back to their communities - and they're proud of it.
Comcast's mission is to empower communities and enrich lives, with a special interest in literacy, volunteerism and youth leadership.
"We want to ensure our communities' ongoing prosperity and success. That's why Comcast has worked to develop community partnerships that support our neighborhoods with a wide variety of resources: human, financial and technological."
Those partnerships include the South County Chamber. Comcast is a frequent and enthusiastic Chamber supporter, because, as Comcast says on its website: "We go to the people and groups that know best: the local organizations and leaders in the communities we serve. Working with them, we identify the best ways to enhance learning, help businesses grow, and encourage leadership. That's how we help communities not only reach their goals, but also prepare for the next generation."
Community Transit
www.commstran.org
Community Transit's vision statement says it all: "Together we will do the extraordinary so that people will always think transit first."
Community Transit's services and community spirit are more vital to the prosperity of the South Snohomish Couunty area than ever. Take our congested roads, mix in our Pacific Northwest's concern with preserving our environment and record prices for gasoline and all of a sudden transit is hotter than ever. A reliable, robust, convenient mass transit system is essential to the continued economic health of our region.
Community Transit's public service is widespread and highly valued. Over the years Community Transit has been a valuable Chamber partner. Always a groundbreaker, Community Transit was one of the first to offer free WiFi Internet access on its buses. Last year it became only the second in the nation to introduce a modern double-decker bus into regular service. The bus has proven so popular and cost-efficient that Community Transit recently announced plans to order 23 more double-decker buses.
Community Transit has been a leader in Snohomish County in creating a paradigm shift in transportation. From providing safe, reliable and efficient transportation, to improving our environment, to the extensive involvement Community Transit employees have in the community, Community Transit is an essential part of Snohomish County. The result of its incorporation of technology, community service innovation, Community Transit is recognized as a national leader in public transportation.
Community Health Center of Snohomish County
www.chcsno.org
The mission of Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) is to reach out to those who face obstacles to health care and improve the health of our diverse community. Its vision is to create a community focused health care organization that:
· Provides high quality comprehensive primary care
· Delivers excellent service
· Strives to eliminate socioeconomic barriers to health care
· Responds to the needs of our diverse community
· Values and supports their employees
· Provides compassion and respect for the individual
Its work is more important than ever. Good physical health is essential for a healthy economy. By providing health and dental care for the employees of micro and small businesses, CHC serves both the community and the economy. In 2007, families living in the Lynnwood and Edmonds zip codes made 19,578 doctor appointments at Community Health Center facilities. While many health care organizations across the country are cutting services and closing clinics, CHC has been able to remain financially stable. Its salaries alone infuse $3.37 million into the local economy, providing a true economic impact.
Its community spirit is infused throughout its work. CHC works collaboratively with many community organizations to provide a medical and dental home for low-income families, and employees also volunteer their time helping low income and homeless families.
As the number of uninsured families increases, so does the number of CHC patients, making the work of CHC and its network more vital to our healthy communities than ever.
Western Type & Print
www.print98121.com
Owners Warren and Flo Funnell started business in Seattle in 1973 with 1,250 cases of lead type and the sort of equipment used to set type before the digital revolution. Their start-up company began life producing high school newspapers, and rapidly worked its way up to handing the advertising composition for companies such as Safeway, Schuck's Auto Parts, Bon Marche, Frederick & Nelson's and more
The company made its name for being "careful, quick and competitive," continuing to invest in the business and in rapidly evolving technology.
"A new company found us and liked what we were doing," the couple relates in the company's history. "We set the type for their manuals, until they were able to get enough money to do it themselves. Yes, Microsoft's first books were born in our shop."
The advent of desktop publishing doomed the typesetting business, but by embracing rather than fighting the changes, the company emerged in 1989 as today's Western Type & Print, a print/copy/graphic design full-service company. Demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit every day, the couple sought out new markets and raised a family.
"Each of our three children worked for the company, at different times, and each has memories that will never be told," Warren Funnell relates in his history. "At least not while I am within earshot."
The company moved to Lynnood a few years ago and has never looked back. No more battling traffic to and from work. No more wasted hours on the freeway.
"But most important, it gave us community time," Warren Funnell says. "We had time to get involved with our City of Lynnwood, and the Rotary Club of Lynnwood. The South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce has been a part of my community as they are performing a great service to businesses, large and small. We are part of them now, and appreciate the relationship."
Owners of a Snohomish County for four years, after being located in downtown Seattle for 31, the Funnells are glad to be home. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.
"We thank Home Street Bank for the recognition and the courtesies extended," Warren Funnell says. "I hear they are a local business also."
Elle Marie Hair Studio
www.ellemariehairstudio.com
Beauty is more than skin deep at Elle Marie Hair Studio in Mill Creek. It is a way of life.
Mother, daughter and son co-owners Colleen Buck, Lorry Green and Jody Bossert opened Elle Marie Hair Studio in 2006, armed with years of corporate experience and management acumen. Only 5% of hair salons are profitable, they say, and they were determined to combine effective business management with quality customer service and an elegant experience that would keep clients returning.
Colleen Buck has almost 30 years experience as a corporate manager in the banking and telecommunication industries and oversees high level business operations and accounting. Her son, Jody Bossert, has a decade of IT experience in the software and telecommunications industries as well as a strong knack for marketing which is where he focuses his efforts. Her daughter, Lorry Green, has over five years of salon experience and, as the sole owner with a Cosmetology license, serves as the Salon Manager and oversees day-to-day operations.
Elle Marie has doubled its staff since opening a year and a half ago, according to a story this month in Journal Newspapers. "Typical growth rate for a salon is 2 to 5 percent a year, according to Buck, but they had 46 percent growth rate the first year and have already passed their projected growth rate of 29 percent for 2008."
Congratulations to all our winners!
