The 2024 CO—100 Small Business Forum wrapped up with the Night of 100 Stars, a gala event celebrating the businesses that made this year’s CO— 100 list.
This list recognizes 100 of the best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses in America. A panel of esteemed judges, which included U.S. Chamber members, small business experts, and experienced entrepreneurs, chose these businesses from among 14,000-plus applicants based on the innovation, growth, and ingenuity they’ve demonstrated in their local communities and beyond.
The gala, which was sponsored by T-Mobile, was held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington, D.C., and was emceed by actor and auctioneer Christopher J. Hanke of The Bidding Group. Attendees enjoyed live performances, insightful interviews with honorees, and inspirational words from Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO—’s Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, Jeanette Mulvey.
“For us, this is the beginning of a relationship with these 100 [businesses]” said Mulvey. “It’s about creating this community and this connection and this relationship that we hope will last years.”
“All of you here tonight are the North Star for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” Sullivan added. “There are over 400 people who work in this … building who get up every day and fight for free enterprise, and your stories are our inspiration.”
CO—100 Top Honorees
Each of the businesses on this year’s CO—100 list was placed into one of 10 distinct categories based on the nature of their companies and achievements. Throughout the event, Hanke announced the top-ranked businesses in each of the 10 CO—100 categories.
“Growth Accelerators” Top Honoree: 787 Coffee
New York, New York-based 787 Coffee was named the Top Honoree in the Growth Accelerators category. This category celebrates businesses that have grown through exceptional creativity, ingenuity, and unique strategies.
787 Coffee was selected for its unique "farm to cup" approach of growing and roasting its own coffee from a farm in Puerto Rico. This approach, combined with its strong commitment to sustainability and a fantastic customer experience, has fueled the company’s expansion from a single location to 25 coffee shops across multiple states.
[Read more: Meet 787 Coffee]
“Community Champions” Top Honoree: glassybaby
Seattle, Washington-based glassybaby was named the Top Honoree in the Community Champions category. The businesses in this category have had a significant impact on their local communities.
Glassybaby was recognized for its long-standing commitment to giving back. The company donated $15 million to support cancer care, animal welfare, and environmental causes, while also creating meaningful opportunities for local communities like Seattle and Livingston, Montana, through employment and training initiatives.
[Read more: Meet glassybaby]
“Micro-Business Leaders” Top Honoree: Aspire Construction & Design
Atlanta, Georgia-based Aspire Construction & Design was named the Top Honoree in the Micro-Business Leaders category. This category honors companies that have built profitable, thriving businesses with a team of just one to five employees.
Aspire Construction & Design stood out for its impressive ability to deliver high-quality, client-centered design-build services with a team of just three. The company drove nearly $1 million in revenue last year and fostered meaningful community impact through mentorship, education, and local projects.
[Read more: Aspire Construction & Design]
“Champions of Adaptability” Top Honoree: Beehive Meals
Layton, Utah-based Beehive Meals was named the Top Honoree in the Champions of Adaptability category. The businesses in this category have demonstrated resilience and tenacity in the face of significant challenges or adversity.
Beehive Meals was chosen for the way it navigated challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. The company evolved to maximize efficiency, minimize waste, and grow rapidly while continuing to meet changing customer demands.
[Read more: Meet Beehive Meals]
“Customer Champions” Top Honoree: The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge
Colorado Springs, Colorado-based The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge was named the Top Honoreee in the Customer Champions category. This category’s honorees are known for their outstanding customer service and innovative engagement strategies.
The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge was recognized for its innovative approach to customer engagement. It offers a personalized and relaxing luxury service experience that has bolstered client loyalty and driven business growth.
[Read more: Meet The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge]
“Global Stars” Top Honoree: Aquantuo
Dover, Delaware-based Aquantuo was named the Top Honoree in the Global Stars category. This category celebrates businesses that have increased their international footprint significantly over the last year while successfully navigating the challenges of global expansion.
Aquantuo stood out for the impressive expansion of its cross-border commerce services into eight African countries. The company has developed logistics solutions that simplify international trade and established its own warehouse in China to facilitate smoother shipments to customers buying from that country.
[Read more: Meet Aquantuo]
For us, this is the beginning of a relationship with these 100 [businesses]. It’s about creating this community and this connection and this relationship that we hope will last years.
Jeanette Mulvey, VP and Editor-in-Chief, CO—
“Digital Innovators” Top Honoree: Digit7
Richardson, Texas-based Digit7 was named the Top Honoree in the Digital Innovators category. Businesses in this category have leveraged new technologies and automated solutions to drive significant growth.
Digit7 was recognized for its AI-driven solutions like cashier-free checkout systems and non-GPS drone navigation. These offerings use advanced technologies like computer vision, machine learning, and augmented reality to drive business growth and efficiency in new ways.
[Read more: Meet Digit7]
“Enduring Businesses” Top Honoree: Confero, Inc.
Cary, North Carolina-based Confero, Inc. was named the Top Honoree in the Enduring Businesses category. This category’s honorees have achieved long-term growth and sustainability through changing markets and evolving landscapes.
Confero was selected because it has achieved long-term growth and sustainability over nearly four decades. The customer experience research company is driven by its strategic adaptability, financial resilience, and continuous innovation in customer service solutions.
[Read more: Meet Confero Inc.]
“The Disruptors” Top Honoree: Atlantic Sea Farms
Biddeford, Maine-based Atlantic Sea Farms was named the Top Honoree in “The Disruptors” category. The businesses in this category have introduced groundbreaking products or services and set new industry benchmarks.
Atlantic Sea Farms was recognized for pioneering the U.S. seaweed farming industry. Its vertically integrated operations have created a sustainable, climate-positive food source while empowering local fishermen and women in the seafood sector to grow and sell kelp.
[Read more: Meet Atlantic Sea Farms]
“Culture Champions” Top Honoree: Industry Gymnastics
Long Island City, New York-based Industry Gymnastics was named the Top Honoree in the Culture Champions category. This category’s honorees have cultivated company cultures that attract and retain dedicated employees who drive the company's success.
Industry Gymnastics was chosen for the inclusive, supportive environment it has created for students and staff. The company prioritizes personal well-being and mental health, empowering its LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse staff, while creating a welcoming, non-competitive gymnastics environment for children of all abilities.
[Read more: Meet Industry Gymnastics]
CO—100 Top Business 2024: Confero, Inc.
At the end of the evening, Confero was named the CO—100 Top Business 2024. This business was selected by the panel of judges as the overall top business among the 100 companies on the list and received a grand prize of $25,000.
President and CEO Elaine Buxton shared some words of advice for small businesses that want to achieve lasting success like Confero, which has been in business since 1986 and worked with major corporations like Coca-Cola North America, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and AMC Theatres.
“When you … think it’s time to give up because you’ve run out of clients or you’ve run out of money … or you’ve run out of pretty much everything, don’t stop,” said Buxton. “That’s really the moment when you … just have to keep going on. [Keep] on keeping on and living to fight another day.”
Buxton also encouraged small businesses to think big when it comes to their customer base, even if they think they’re too small for a big business to want to work with them.
“Large companies really want to buy from small businesses,” she said. “They really want people who are going to … give them the value that they can’t get from other big companies.”
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
