The U.S. Chamber CO—100 list recognizes the top 100 small and mid-sized American businesses that demonstrate outstanding innovation, growth, and resilience. This year, 10 top honorees were recognized for outstanding achievement in their CO—100 list category.
The 10 categories include Micro-Business Leaders (micro-businesses that have shown growth while staying small), Champions of Adaptability (small businesses that have overcome extreme challenges), and Digital Innovators (small businesses that have used technology to advance their business), to name a few.
We asked each of the 10 top honorees about what free enterprise means to them and how a growing American economy fuels their businesses.
787 Coffee
Category: Growth Accelerators
787 Coffee, based in New York City, has grown from a single location in 2019 to 25 coffee shops spanning Puerto Rico, New York, and Texas. The company is committed to sustainable sourcing practices and supporting local communities.
“A growing American economy means growth for 787 Coffee,” says Brandon Pena, founder and CEO of 787 Coffee. “It allows us to continue investing in our people, our products, and the communities we serve while staying true to our mission of delivering farm-to-cup coffee and creating positive impact.”
787 Coffee was named the top business in the Growth Accelerators category, which recognizes creative and innovative strategies that fuel business growth.
Learn more about 787 Coffee in this profile on CO—.
Aquantuo
Category: Global Stars
Aquantuo, based in Dover, Delaware, is an international logistics company that enables individuals and businesses in Africa to easily buy goods from any international store.
“Free enterprise is essentially the environment most suitable for small businesses to thrive,” says Clement Owusu-Donkor, founder of Aquantuo. “The existence of free enterprise system in our countries of operations has made it possible to compete with competitors by utilizing the opportunity to market our services and reach out to our customers without the fear of any governmental interference or inhibitions. This is most necessary as we aim to establish our presence in more African countries.”
Aquantuo is the top business in the Global Stars category, which recognizes businesses that have successfully expanded globally and overcome the challenges of operating in different markets.
Learn more about Aquantuo in this profile on CO—.
Aspire Construction & Design
Category: Micro-Business Leaders
Aspire Construction & Design in Atlanta is a commercial AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firm that provides personalized first-class design-build services to small businesses.
“Free enterprise gives us the ability to try and do or try and fail,” says Amber Lawson, Founder and Principal of Aspire Construction & Design. “Either way learning has happened. The constant experimentation, reinvention and hypothesis testing inherent in a free enterprise system provided Aspire Construction & Design the space and place to do both – try and do AND try and fail. This iterative process is how we found our lane.”
Aspire Construction & Design is the Top Honoree in the Micro-Business Leaders category, which celebrates small businesses with one to five employees who have demonstrated exceptional profitability and growth.
Learn more about Aspire Construction & Design in this profile on CO—.
The Top Honorees were celebrated at the Night of 100 Stars on October 8, 2024, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Clement Owusu-Donkor of Aquantuo and Sabina Gabriele of The Cavern Men's Barber Lounge.
Natalie Fuertes of Industry Gymnastics.
Adam and Allyse Jackson of Beehive Meals and Amber Lawson of Aspire Construction & Design.
Elaine Buxton of Confero and Balasubramani Murugesan of Digit7.
Lee Rhodes of glassybaby and Sam Sepulveda and Brandon Pena of 787 Coffee.
Atlantic Sea Farms
Category: The Disruptors
Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford, Maine, is a mission-driven, regenerative seaweed farming company helping shape a new seaweed farming industry in the United States.
“We are working to prove that good food can do good and that we can build a breakthrough industry focused on improving the planet, creating resilience in coastal communities, and providing one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet to consumers,” says Briana Warner, founder and CEO of Atlantic Sea Farms. “Based in Maine, we have the opportunity to benefit from innovative technologies and expert mariners who are constantly innovating as a result of independent, free-thinking and entrepreneurship.”
Atlantic Sea Farms was named the Top Honoree in The Disruptors category, which recognizes businesses that have pushed the boundaries of innovation by introducing groundbreaking products or services or redefining traditional business structures.
Learn more about Atlantic Sea Farms in this profile on CO—.
Beehive Meals
Category: Champions of Adaptability
Based in Layton, Utah, Beehive Meals offers nutritious and convenient freezer meals through its meal-prep and delivery services.
“Free enterprise has been a crucial driver behind Beehive Meals' success,” says Adam Jackson, Co-Founder & CCO at Beehive Meals. “It provides the flexibility to innovate, adapt, and meet the evolving needs of our customers. The freedom to pursue creative business models… has allowed us to grow from a small startup to one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation.”
Beehive Meals was named the top business in the Champions of Adaptability category, which celebrates businesses who have overcome significant challenges through extraordinary resilience and problem solving.
Learn more about Beehive Meals in this profile on CO—.
Confero, Inc.
Category: Enduring Businesses and CO—100 Top Business
Confero, Inc. in Cary, North Carolina, helps companies excel in customer service through mystery shopping and compliance audits.
“A growing American economy means new opportunities for both our clients and our business,” says Elaine Buxton, President and CEO, Confero. “As the economy expands, companies invest more in improving their operations, customer service, and overall performance. This creates a greater demand for our customer research, brand compliance and mystery shopping services, as companies want to stay competitive and ensure they meet customer expectations.”
Confero has not only been named the Top Honoree in the Enduring Businesses category, which celebrates businesses who have achieved long term growth and success, but Confero also earned the title of 2024 CO—100 Top Business.
Read more about why Confero is this year’s top business in this profile on CO—.
Digit7
Category: Digital Innovators
Digit7 is an AI-driven technology company committed to innovation and sustainability that specializes in developing artificial intelligence solutions for businesses of all sizes.
“By democratizing access to advanced AI technologies, Digit7 has leveled the playing field for small and medium-sized business enterprises competing in today’s ever-evolving market trends and data-driven economy,” says Balasubramani Murugesan, Director of Engineering at Digit7.
Located in Richardson, Texas, Digit7 is the Top Honoree in the Digital Innovators category, which honors businesses that have embraced technology as a driving force of growth.
Read more about Digit7 in this profile on CO—.
glassybaby
Category: Community Champions
Founded by three-time cancer survivor Lee Rhodes, glassybaby is a mission-driven glass votive company that sells handcrafted glass containers and donates 22% of its profits.
When asked what a growing American economy means to glassybaby, Founder and CEO Lee Rhodes says, “It represents new customers, more opportunity for corporate partnerships, the ability to hire new talent, and it helps us to become a better community leader.”
Based in Redmond, Washington, glassybaby is the Top Honoree in the Community Champions category, which recognizes businesses that have made a significant impact on their local communities while achieving personal growth and success.
Learn more about glassybaby in this profile on CO—.
Industry Gymnastics
Category: Culture Champions
Industry Gymnastics in Long Island City, New York, is a Latina-owned gym that champions inclusivity and community engagement through recreational gymnastics classes.
“A growing economy means I can continue to operate Industry Gymnastics in a way that prioritizes inclusivity, community impact, and personal growth while staying financially sustainable,” says Natalie Fuertes, Owner of Industry Gymnastics. “It allows us to fulfill our mission while providing families with an invaluable resource for their children’s development.”
Industry Gymnastics is the Top Honoree of the Culture Champions category, which celebrates companies with an exceptional and unified company culture that has attracted and retained dedicated employees, driving their business success.
Learn more about Industry Gymnastics in this full profile on CO—.
The Cavern Men's Barber Lounge
Category: Customer Champions
The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge in Colorado Springs, Colorado, provides a luxurious experience to customers by combining premium barber services with a relaxing atmosphere.
“The competitive environment encourages us to introduce new services that help separate us from other barber shops within our area, keeping our approach fresh and exciting,” says Sabina Gabriele, Founder and Owner of The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge. “We thrive on community relationships, which allow us to collaborate with local suppliers and businesses, creating a strong local economy. Free enterprise offers us the ability to set our own standards; we can create a welcoming atmosphere that reflects on our unique brand.”
The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge is the Top Honoree in the Customer Champions category, which celebrates businesses who have expanded their customer reach with innovative engagement strategies and outstanding customer service.
Learn more about The Cavern Men’s Barber Lounge in this profile on CO—.
More on the CO—100
About the authors
Lillian Chase
Lillian Chase is a communications intern at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
