At Guidant Financial, we are proud to announce that we have won the Better Business Bureau’s 2024 Torch Awards for Ethics. This important award is given to companies that show strong integrity, follow the highest ethical standards, and build trust with their customers and communities. We are honored to be recognized for our ethical business practices and our commitment to helping small businesses across the U.S.
Guidant Financial Named Winner of the 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics
Celebrate with us as Guidant Financial has won the 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Guidant a great company to support and work for!
Our Journey
Guidant Financial started in 2003 with just $10,000 and a laptop, founded by David Nilssen and Jeremy Ames. Initially, they aimed to help people use their retirement savings to invest in real estate. Over the years, Guidant has grown into a leading company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses.
Today, we’re the top provider in innovative funding solutions for over 30,000 small businesses across the U.S. Our team excels in creating tailored financing plans, offering options like SBA loans, portfolio loans, unsecured loans, and our flagship service, 401(k) business financing (also known as Rollovers for Business Startups or ROBS) — the most popular of its kind and the one we provide more than anyone else in the industry, with an impeccable record with the IRS.
Guidant has also broadened its services to include essential business support like Bookkeeping & Tax, Payroll, HR, and Business Valuations to help small business owners at every stage of their business journey.
Discover more about what Guidant Financial offers here.
Empowering Small Businesses
Listen to what real small business owners from across the U.S. have to share about their experiences with Guidant. Our dedication to customer satisfaction is rooted in our commitment to minimizing customer effort. We focus on making things easier for our clients by providing personalized, attentive interactions and services. Whether it’s through phone calls, texts, virtual meetings, or emails, we make sure our clients feel valued and supported.
We also take extra steps to highlight our clients’ unique business journeys on our Client Success Stories site. These narratives take you from the initial stages of their business dreams to their partnership with Guidant to make those dreams a reality. Here’s what some of our clients have to say about working with Guidant:
“Guidant is our one-stop shop for us to do it all. And I will say that one of the characteristics of Guidant that I really appreciate is the commitment to service and getting it right.”
— Tom Gonzalez, Woof Academy
“[Working with Guidant has] been excellent. Everybody that touched the process throughout the whole setup was incredibly knowledgeable, from the initial contact to moving through and getting everything put. One of the most pleasing things about working with Guidant was that we were able to have continuous contact. … That, to me, was very helpful to help me keep track of things but also to feel confident that I wasn’t just another number.”
— Rob Offerman, Transblue
“I created Le Village for everyday working families. I knew that I needed a funding partner that would be a reflection of the community we are trying to serve — and that is really where Guidant shines. … We needed and found a partner that would be with us every step of the way.”
— Daniella Cornue, Le Village Cowork
Awards and Achievements
Since its inception in 2003, Guidant Financial has been regularly acknowledged for its commitment to excellence. The awards and honors we’ve received underscore our dedication to delivering high-quality services, supporting small businesses, and creating an outstanding workplace environment. Below is a selection of the awards Guidant has received over the years:
- Eastside Small Business of the Year, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce (2007, 2016): Recognized as a leading small business in the Eastside region, Guidant Financial has been honored by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce for its outstanding contributions.
- Best Rollover As Business Startup Provider, Fit Small Business (2014 – 2024): Guidant Financial’s expertise in Rollovers for Business Startups has been acknowledged with multiple awards from Fit Small Business.
- Washington’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Seattle Business magazine (2015, 2016): Guidant Financial has consistently been recognized as one of the best workplaces in Washington State by Seattle Business magazine.
- Fastest Growing Private Companies in America List, Inc 5000 (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2016): Guidant Financial’s rapid growth and success have earned it a place on the prestigious Inc 5000 list multiple times.
- Blue Ribbon Small Business Award, U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Guidant Financial’s commitment to excellence and ethical practices has been acknowledged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award.
- 18th Fastest Growing Company in Washington State, Puget Sound Business Journal: Our consistent growth and impact on the business landscape in Washington State have placed us among the fastest-growing companies according to the Puget Sound Business Journal.
- Washington’s Best 100 Companies to Work For, Washington CEO magazine: Washington CEO magazine has recognized Guidant Financial as one of the best companies to work for in the state.
- Best of Bellevue Award, U.S. Local Business Association: Our contribution to the local business community in Bellevue has been acknowledged with the Best of Bellevue Award from the U.S. Local Business Association.
- Hire Power Award (No.7 Financial Category), INC: Guidant Financial’s role in creating employment opportunities has been celebrated with the Hire Power Award by INC magazine.
- Top 20 Best Places to Work, Seattle Metropolitan magazine: Our dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture has landed us a spot on Seattle Metropolitan magazine’s list of the top 20 best places to work.
- Best Places to Work in Idaho (2021, 2023): By encouraging a culture that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, independent thinking, and a sense of family, we’ve been recognized multiple times as one of the Best Places to Work in Idaho.
These awards demonstrate Guidant Financial’s dedication to supporting small businesses and fostering a great work environment for our team. We take pride in these accomplishments and are excited to keep advancing our mission of empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Explore all our Awards and Honors here.
Leading with Character
Our Vision: To increase the number of people who succeed in small business.
Our Mission: We leverage technology and services to make more capital available to Main Street American small businesses.
At Guidant, we uphold the belief that ethical leadership begins with our senior management. We are committed to our core values and ACE principles, which stand for Adaptability, Connection, and Excellence. These principles shape our actions and decisions, helping us adhere to the highest ethical standards in all our activities.
To support our team, we actively celebrate individuals who demonstrate our values and principles through everyday actions and through an annual event we call the “People Celebration.” During this event, employees nominate colleagues who exemplify our values through specific actions, fostering a culture of recognition and appreciation.
Our Connection, Opportunity, Growth (COG) Committee is essential in nurturing our community and promoting our guiding values. The committee organizes various employee-focused events, from wellness activities to leadership discussions, ensuring that our team members feel connected and supported in alignment with our values.
Championing Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Guidant also supports a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee that upholds our commitment to fostering an inclusive culture. The DEI Committee actively explores and assesses ways to enhance awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company. They organize regular events and initiatives aimed at promoting understanding and celebrating our diverse workforce. This year, they have launched several employee-focused activities, including:
- Caring For Your Mental Health Seminar: Featured a licensed social worker who offered insights into managing mental health and coping with stress.
- National Military Appreciation Month Presentation: The committee organized a collaborative presentation to explore military life in various countries represented by our team members. This aimed to educate employees and raise awareness about the experiences of those serving in the military, or having close friends or family members who serve, thereby fostering stronger connections and empathy within our diverse team.
These events, led by our DEI Committee, promote understanding and inclusion, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among our team. We believe that embracing diversity and enhancing equity and inclusion not only enriches our workplace but also empowers our organization to achieve greater success.
Creating a Culture of Trust
A culture of trust is vital for any organization. At Guidant, we bring our team together around our mission and vision through regular all-company meetings and team gatherings, setting the standard for our organizational expectations.
Our leaders are deeply involved in the growth and development of our team members, holding one-on-one meetings and engaging in leadership discussions across the company. We are committed to the idea that our organization grows as our people grow.
Learn more about careers at Guidant here.
Giving Back to the Community
Community engagement is fundamental to Guidant’s identity. We participate actively in our community through volunteer work and donations, concentrating on organizations such as Treehouse that support local foster children, aligning with our vision of long-term social improvement.
Additionally, Guidant frequently organizes events like Meet Main Street, where employees are encouraged to patronize local small businesses and share their experiences on social media, further supporting our community.
Closing Thoughts
At Guidant Financial, we hold ethical business practices, trust, and community involvement as foundational pillars of our organization. We are honored to be the winner of the Better Business Bureau’s 2024 Torch Awards for Ethics and are dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all our activities. Thank you for being part of our continued journey in ethical leadership and supporting the empowerment of American small businesses!
Call us today at 425-289-3200 for a free, no-pressure business consultation to get started — or pre-qualify in minutes for business financing now!
“If you’re committed to it and you have a vision, then Guidant is the way to make it come to life.”
— Marc Warner, Bovine Burgers
Read the stories of REAL small business owners who work with Guidant.
