SPOKANE, Wash.—Silk Road Manufacturing was named the 2026 Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Star Client of the Year. Owners and siblings Tan Vo, Son Vo and Joe Vo were honored at the Small Business Awards Gala on May 6 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
“Silk Road Manufacturing represents the very best of entrepreneurship in Washington state,” said Washington SBDC Interim State Director Rich French. “The Vo family turned uncertainty during the pandemic into an opportunity to build something remarkable—not just for themselves, but for their employees and community. Their story is one of resilience, innovation and an unwavering commitment to creating opportunity for others.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the manufacturing industry, Son Vo, a supervisor at a soft goods manufacturing business, learned that his entire crew of 50 sewers was going to be laid off, he said, go ahead and make it 51.
Son then turned to his siblings, Tan Vo and Joe Vo, with a bold idea and they started making plans to open their own textile manufacturing business. His goal, he said, was to hire back all 50 of his former sewers, most of whom, like his family, are immigrants from Vietnam.
The idea was ambitious, but entrepreneurship was already woven into the family’s history.
The original Silk Road Manufacturing began in 1985 in a two-car garage after the Vo family arrived to the United States as refugees from Vietnam. Their mother, who didn’t speak English, relied on her sewing skills to support her four children, taking on garment work from local factories and eventually building a network of other immigrant mothers who also needed work.
“Watching my mom sew in our garage, I saw firsthand the opportunities that manufacturing brought to our family,” said Joe Vo. “As her children now, we want to push that legacy forward. We want to bring manufacturing back to the United States and create jobs for our community.”
Today, Silk Road Manufacturing operates out of a 10,000-square-foot production facility in Renton and specializes in highly technical sewn products for our military, law enforcement and firefighters. The company is one of only a few manufacturers in the United States authorized to produce a specific type of carry system used by service members.
The company’s growth was fueled by determination, but also by the support of strategic partners, including the Washington SBDC.
The Washington SBDC is a network of more than 35 business advisors working in communities across the state to help small business owners and entrepreneurs start, grow or buy/sell a business. SBDC advisors assist clients in just about any industry and at any stage of business development. SBDC services are provided at no cost to the business owner and are completely confidential.
In early 2025, the Vo family began working with Washington SBDC at Highline College advisor, Phon Sivongxay, during a critical stage of growth when they needed financing to expand their operations. After being turned down by several major banks, the family connected with Sivongxay for guidance.
“As a first-time business owner, I was naïve,” said Tan Vo. “I didn’t know how the banking systems worked or how to approach a bank for financing. Phon really mentored me and guided me through the process. She helped with everything from the business plan to presentations and ultimately helped us secure the capital we needed to expand.”
Sivongxay said the Vo family’s passion and long-term vision made them stand out immediately.
“They are deeply committed to their employees, their craft and their community,” she said. “What they’ve accomplished in just a few years is incredible, but what excites me most is their vision for the future and the impact they’re creating through manufacturing jobs here in Washington.”
Silk Road Manufacturing’s story also drew national attention when the company was featured on the PBS series “StartUp.” Host Gary Bredow described the family as embodying “the essence of hard work and unwavering patriotism.”
The Washington SBDC is part of a national SBDC program known as the America’s SBDC and is managed by a cooperative agreement between Washington State University (WSU) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). About half the funding for SBDC services is from the SBA and the other half is from multiple state and local funding partners, including the Washington State Department of Commerce, WSU, Highline College, other institutions of higher education, economic development agencies and civic and business groups.
