Gold Canyon, a manufacturer of candles and other scented products, was started by Curt and Karen Waisath 10 years ago in their kitchen because Karen wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Since then the business has exploded into a multimillion-dollar enterprise that operates a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Chandler and sells its products through a network of independent demonstrators. Gold Canyon gives back to the community through its Prayer Child Foundation, which it created to focus on children who face such challenges as illness and abuse.

The other winner was Walsh Bros. Office Environments, a family- and employee-owned business that was founded as a typewriter shop in downtown Phoenix in 1919. Today it is an office furnishings and designs company with operations in Phoenix and Tucson. It has a tradition of community involvement through the United Way and other organizations.

View the Gold Canyon Candle Co review