Winners:

Best small company

• Vacation Internationale
• Zillow.com
• Verity Credit Union

The voting here was action-packed. Everyone, it seems, has a favorite small company. We saw votes for plenty of one-person operations (and lots of boasting about the joys of working in your pajamas all day long), but ultimately a trio of established small companies came out ahead. Bellevue-based timeshare and vacation company Vacation Internationale garnered acclaim for its "friendly atmosphere, with managers and coworkers who really care about others." The gang over at online real estate service Zillow.com commented on how much the company likes to work -- and play -- hard. Says one staffer, "Our offices are great, complete with Astroturf and air hockey, and we're in a great downtown location." (Rumors of free pop at Zillow abound, too.) Verity Credit Union's employees were equally enthusiastic. "I know everyone here at Verity. We're like a family!" said one employee.

Honorable mention:

Herrera Environmental Consultants
Though its daily focus is on the environmental needs of the western United States (from storm runoff to waste management), employees at Herrera appreciated the global awareness of the Seattle-based company. Says one employee, "Herrera cares about other countries in the world, and sponsors bridge-building trips to countries such as Tibet. ... (These projects) are life-changing for the villagers and those from the company that are involved in the design and construction."