When we founded Tributary in 2015, we set out to do things differently. We organized our firm around the philosophy that relationships come first, and have since developed a set of five core values that guide us personally and as a company. We have worked hard to grow our business thoughtfully, intentionally and with dedication to each other and the Denver community.

That’s why we’re so proud to have been named one of the Denver Business Journal’s 2021 Small Business Award honorees. Commitment to community is the theme that runs through each of the Small Business Award honorees this year. According to the DBJ: “These small businesses are not only devoted to their communities — they wouldn’t be finalists in the Small Business Awards if they weren’t — but they’re inherently connected to their communities. They’re a part of something bigger.”

Receiving this honor, which recognizes “excellence and resilience among small businesses, highlighting their contributions to metro Denver’s community” is validation of not only our hard work in building Tributary but also in our decision to build our company with people and values that believe in service and contributing to something greater than ourselves.

Our five core values are simple but powerful:

• Show Up: We are fully present and fully invested. We show up for each other, for our clients and partners, and for our community.

• Advocacy Always: We are strategic advisors who remain focused on our client’s long-term success. We cultivate enduring relationships through our tireless advocacy and expertise.

• Do the Right Thing: We go the extra mile in every interaction. Being successful doesn’t mean anything if it isn’t done with integrity.

• Team Above Self: By working together toward a common vision and leaning into our individual strengths, we win together. Every hiring decision is made as a team to maintain our corporate culture.

• Give Back: We share our success by paying it forward and representing the Tributary values in our communities.

Although we’re guided by five core values, the one that really drives our day-to-day work is “team above self. ” We have all learned, especially this year, that by consistently supporting one another, we’re able to achieve more together than we can individually.

Some of our specific community efforts in 2020 included assembling Thanksgiving baskets for young adults through Bridging the Gap, part of a Mile High United Way program that helps young people transition out of the child welfare system and ramping up individual volunteer efforts in the community in various capacities. Our team members volunteered with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Alliance Children’s Foundation and the Denver Foundation.

Because our company culture is so important to us and our success, we worked hard to maintain morale throughout the worst of the pandemic in 2020. Through virtual happy hours and socially distanced activities, like early-morning mountain bike rides, we managed to stay connected and celebrate wins together. We also hosted webinars for team members and clients to interact and discuss issues around the economic fallout of the pandemic.

As we look ahead to the rest of 2021, we’re so excited about continuing to grow our business according to the values that have brought us so far. Congrats to our amazing fellow Small Business Award winners and cheers to navigating this next chapter of doing business in Denver together!