Two Renton small businesses honored by King County

Baile Dior Studios LLC and Abyssinia Salon and Beauty School were honored.

By Drew Dotson • October 13, 2025 2:00 pm

Two Renton businesses were named winners of the King County 2025 Executive’s Small Business Awards.

Baile Dior Studios LLC and Abyssinia Salon and Beauty School won the King County award created to celebrate the people and enterprises that power the region’s growth, create jobs, and reflect the diversity and creativity of King County.

King County Executive Shannon Braddock announced the winners at a celebration on Oct. 1. This year’s finalists were chosen from 107 applications across King County, with winners selected by a panel of local business leaders.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our neighborhoods, reflecting the rich diversity of our region,” Braddock said. “This year’s winners and finalists embody the spirit of entrepreneurship, equity, and sustainability that makes King County thrive.”

Baile Dior Studios LLC won the award of Creative Economy Small Business of the Year. The dance studio’s mission is “to expose youth of color and the community of the benefits of Historical Black Colleges & Universities thru performing arts,” according to their website. They offer a fusion of dance styles such as Hip-Hop, Jazz, African, and the art of Majorette dance named “J’sette.”

Abyssinia Salon and Beauty School won the award for Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year and has locations in Renton, Kent and Kenya. The beauty school offers students the chance to receive a cosmetology license from an accredited school in Renton. The school offers access to underserved communities and provides vocational training that can “serve as a powerful deterrent to chemical addiction by offering individuals a sense of purpose, skill development, and a pathway to stable employment,” according to their website.

Started in 2012, the Executive’s Small Business Awards are hosted by the King County Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy, with the support of community partners and sponsors.