Presenting the 2025 Northwest Arkansas Outstanding Business Award finalists

As we enter the second quarter of 2025, it’s time to recognize some outstanding businesses in our community through our annual Northwest Arkansas Outstanding Business Awards, presented by Arvest Bank.

For weeks, we have been soliciting the business community in Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith for nominations for this first recognition program of the year. This year, we had a wide variety of nominations for worthy businesses — big and small, startups and nonprofits. 

An independent panel of regional business leaders whittled that down to four finalists in each of four categories, and we are pleased to present them in this issue.

As we celebrate and spotlight these finalists, we recognize the collective impact of their efforts. They have not only achieved remarkable growth but have also made an impact on their communities and the broader business landscape.

We eagerly anticipate announcing the four winners — as determined by our judges’ panel — and celebrating their achievements with their fellow finalists at a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 9 at the Holiday Inn in Springdale.

I wish you all continued success. We celebrate your achievements and extend our heartfelt congratulations.

Below are the 2025 finalists. Individual profiles on each business will be posted on Monday and Tuesday (April 7 and 8).

• Nonprofit business finalists
  • 7hills Homeless Center (Fayetteville)
  • Havenwood (Bentonville)
  • Northwest Arkansas Food Bank (Lowell)
  • Water for Good (Bentonville)

• Startup business finalists
  • Barbell Gyms of NWA (Bentonville)
  • Carter’s Flowers and More (Lincoln)
  • Horizon Roofing, Solar and Exteriors (Fort Smith)
  • mejo (Bentonville)

• Small business finalists
  • Allegiance Title of Arkansas (Fayetteville)
  • Miller, Boskus and Lack (Fayetteville)
  • PodcastVideos.com (Rogers)
  • The Stitt Group (Rogers)

• Large business finalists
  • 49 Financial (Rogers)
  • Emery Sapp & Sons (Springdale)
  • Onyx Coffee Lab (Rogers)
  • Rausch Companies (Fayetteville)