NWA Business Journal honors winners at Outstanding Business Awards ceremony

One week ago, the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal honored its winners in the inaugural Outstanding Business of the Year awards. The luncheon event, sponsored by Arvest and Rose Law Firm, was held at the Springdale Holiday Inn conference center.

There were four category winners from a group of finalists in each category:

Nonprofit
Winner: Children & Family Advocacy Center
Runners-up: Best Friends Pet Resource Center; Circle of Life Hospice; and Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas

Startup
Winner: Engine
Runners-up: AdventureFares.com; Baron Fork Clothing Co.; and FOY

Small Business
Winner: Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics
Runners-up: Phat Tire Bike Shop; Specialized Real Estate Group; and Table Mesa Restaurants Group

Large Business
Winner: Crafton Tull
Runners-up: Benchmark Group Inc.; Multi-Craft Contractors Inc.; and SupplyPike

“These businesses were recognized for their great contributions to the Northwest Arkansas community. There is no doubt the competition was stiff, and the final winners were extremely worthy of this recognition,” Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Editor Paul Gatling said. “All of the businesses that made the cut as finalists were exceptional and have contributed invaluably to the Northwest Arkansas business scene. We look forward to watching all of them grow and continue to prosper in the years to come.”

You can read about all of the finalists at this link.

Here is a short overview of each of the winners:

Non-profit: Children & Family Advocacy Center

The Children & Family Advocacy Center, based in Little Flock, was established in 2023 by merging two long-standing nonprofits dedicated to restoring the lives of children and families impacted by trauma.

The merger included the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County, an agency that served children and families when there were allegations of child abuse, and Restoration Village, a long-term shelter for women and their children who had experienced domestic abuse, homelessness and other forms of trauma.

The merger not only consolidated resources but also pooled over 30 years of experience in serving the community and aiding individuals in their recovery from abuse.

The CFAC offers comprehensive services, including advocacy, forensic interviews, medical examinations, mental health counseling and residential care, all provided at no cost to the client. Its mission is to break the cycle of abuse and build resilient families through a holistic, trauma-informed approach. Read more here.

Startup: Engine

Retail/consumer packaged goods (CPG) analytics industry veterans Nick Dozier (CEO) and Pat Lockridge (COO) launched Engine in August 2022. Based in Rogers, the company focuses on bolstering major CPG companies’ analytical and data science capabilities within the Walmart ecosystem.

Within a brief span, the firm has drawn in premier talent nationwide to Northwest Arkansas, established partnerships with well-regarded CPG brands and experienced exponential revenue growth. The company’s products include retail data connectors, store and e-commerce data, automated reporting, dashboarding, A/B testing, forecasting, assortment precision and clustering. Dozier said Engine will soon introduce a groundbreaking data app platform.

With 40 employees, Engine serves several hundred CPG brands across three continents and major retailers. Notably, the company witnessed a remarkable growth rate of over 100% in 2023. Lockridge said projections indicate a doubling of that growth in 2024. Read more here.

Small Business: Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics

Since its inception in 2004 by Dr. Missy Clifton, Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics has been an industry leader for skin care in Northwest Arkansas. What began as a solo practice in a modest strip mall on 28th Street in Bentonville has grown into a multifaceted enterprise with locations in Bentonville, Bella Vista and Fayetteville. Clifton’s vision to combine medical and cosmetic dermatology under one roof has propelled Premier’s growth.

The clinic’s expansion, exemplified by a sprawling 20,000-square-foot facility near Walton Boulevard in 2011, symbolizes its remarkable trajectory from a solo practice into a partnership with four other board-certified dermatologists — Dr. Kattie Allen, Dr. Blake Williams, Dr. Rebekah Baltz and Dr. Courtney Book. Read more here.

Large Business: Crafton Tull

Crafton Tull, founded in 1963 by Bob Crafton and Lem Tull, has evolved into one of Arkansas’ leading engineering, design and surveying firms. Since its inception, the company has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Northwest Arkansas through its involvement in pivotal projects, including widening 15 miles of Interstate 49 from Bentonville to Fayetteville, bike and trail corridors, numerous single-family and multi-family developments and several commercial projects that have transformed Rogers’ Pinnacle Hills region.

Initially established in Rogers, the company has now spread its footprint across Arkansas and Oklahoma, with recent acquisitions and office expansions fueling its growth trajectory. In 2022, Crafton Tull acquired B&F Engineering in Hot Springs, further enhancing its capabilities. Notably, adding a new office in Jonesboro in 2023 underscores the company’s commitment to strategic expansion. The company reports 18% growth over the past five years, more than 300 employee-owners and a record revenue of $45 million in fiscal year 2023. Read more here.