Awards and Recognition

August 2008 – Inc. 500 Award
July 2008 – 2008 Best of Bellevue Award
May 2008 – Best Companies to Work For, by Washington CEO Magazine
May 2008 – Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
February 2008 – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business
November 2007 – 6th Fastest-Growing Company (Private Small Business) in Washington State
September 2007 – “40 Under 40” Business Leadership Award by Puget Sound Business Journal
June 2007 – Best Companies to Work For, by Washington CEO Magazine
May 2007 – Eastside Small Business of the Year, by Bellevue, WA, Chamber of Commerce
April 2007 – Northwest Regional Small Business of the Year, by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
April 2007 – National Young Entrepreneurs of the Year (to Guidant’s cofounders), by Small Business Administration (SBA)
April 2007 – Washington State Entrepreneurs of the Year (to Guidant’s cofounders), by the Small Business Administration (SBA)
March 2007 -- Blue Ribbon Small Business, by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Best Companies to Work For, by Washington CEO Magazine

Guidant Financial Group was named one of “Washington’s Best 100 Companies to Work For” by Washington CEO Magazine. Guidant was selected from among more than 400 companies nominated for consideration. The overall rankings will appear in the magazine’s July ‘08 issue in four categories: large, medium, small and non-profit/government.

Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist

Guidant Financial Group CEO David Nilssen is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 Award in the Pacific Northwest. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Nilssen was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business

For the second time in two years, Guidant Financial Group received a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. The award was given in recognition of the company’s dedication to excellence in several categories.

6th Fastest-Growing Company (Private Small Business) in Washington State

Guidant is named sixth fastest-growing privately owned small business in Washington by Puget Sound Business Journal. Winners of the Fastest Growing Company Awards were chosen based on their level of growth over the last three years, namely the percentage of revenue growth.

“40 Under 40” Business Leadership Award by Puget Sound Business Journal

Guidant Financial Group’s CEO and cofounder David Nilssen was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 under 40” awards program. Nilssen was chosen as one of 40 honorees for his demonstration of dynamic leadership and social responsibility.

Best Companies to Work For, by Washington CEO Magazine

Guidant Financial Group was been named one of the “Best Companies to Work For” by Washington CEO Magazine and is listed among the top-15 small businesses in the publication.

Eastside Small Business of the Year, by Bellevue, WA, Chamber of Commerce

Guidant Financial Group was recognized by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and the Eastside Business Awards Committee as the 2007 Eastside Small Business of the Year. The awards committee selected Guidant based on its demonstrated superior performance over a three-year period. Guidant’s revenue growth, rapid staffing rate, commitment to community and its proven history of recognizing and seizing market opportunities were all taken into consideration.

Northwest Regional Small Business of the Year, by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Guidant was named one of the seven regional finalists for Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

National Young Entrepreneurs of the Year (to Guidant’s cofounders), by Small Business Administration (SBA)

Guidant Financial Group’s David Nilssen, CEO, and Jeremy Ames, former president, were selected as the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Young Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2007. Nilssen and Ames are already co-recipients of Washington state and regional SBA awards. They were honored for their entrepreneurial excellence based on the following criteria: their development and utilization of innovative and creative business methods; tremendous growth measured in sales profits and staffing size; their dedication to the community in which they live; and their entrepreneurial potential for long-term business success.

Washington State Entrepreneurs of the Year (to Guidant’s cofounders), by the Small Business Administration (SBA)

David Nilssen, Guidant cofounder and CEO, and Jeremy Ames, cofounder and former president, were selected as recipients of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) entrepreneurial award. Nominees were evaluated by a panel based on their record of employment and sales growth, utilization of innovative business methods, response to adversity, community involvement and demonstration of entrepreneurial potential necessary for long-term business success and economic growth.

Blue Ribbon Small Business, by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Guidant Financial Group received The Blue Ribbon Small Business Award as part of the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business of the Year selection process. It is awarded to companies that show excellence in business history and commitment to customers, employees, and the community.

2008 Best of Bellevue Award

Guidant Financial Group was selected for the 2008 Best of Bellevue Award in the Financial Advisory Services category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

2008 Inc. 500 Award

Due to its significant growth, Guidant ranked number 384 on the prestigious Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. In addition to ranking number 384 overall, Guidant ranked number 23 in the Top 100 Financial Services Companies category, and number 11 in the Top 50 Businesses in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area category. According to Inc. magazine, which sponsors the annual Inc. 500, the rankings are determined by the percentage of revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based, privately held, independent, for-profit businesses that – as of December 31, 2007 – had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004 and $2 million in 2007.