According to the U.S. Census Bureau, family-owned and -controlled businesses account for 90% of American companies today. A 2018 study of consumers’ impressions of different organizations, family-owned businesses were largely considered to be more stable, approachable, trustworthy and customer-friendly than other types of companies. Employees of family owned businesses tend to be happier and more productive as well.

In the L.A. region, new family-run organizations unceasingly enter the market, and legendary family brands continue to thrive.
Congratulations to the extraordinary businesses that made this list – thank you for your unique contributions to the Los Angeles business community and beyond.

Notable Family Owned Business: NorthStar Moving Company.
Founded in 1994 by wife and husband team Laura McHolm and Ram Katalan, Los Angeles-based NorthStar Moving Company has redefined the moving industry. It is the first to offer eco-luxury moving services, elevating basic moving and storage services to a new unparalleled level of customer service, customized care and environmental consciousness.

The Best Places to Work survey and awards program was created by the Los Angeles Business Journal and Best Companies Group in 2006. It was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Los Angeles, benefiting the county’s economy, workforce and businesses. The chosen list is made up of 100 companies. NorthStar Moving ranked an impressive #33 in the best medium sized company category.

The Los Angeles Business Journal publishes an annual Women in Business list. A women owned business is defined as a business with at least 50% women ownership. NorthStar Moving, Co-Founded by Laura McHolm and Ram Katalan, was ranked #69 in 2019.

On June 20th we celebrated women who are all responsible for moving our economy forward and pushing the boundaries of our workforce. This year’s event at the JW Marriott at LA Live was a day of inspiration, education and recognition. We welcomed more than 400 executives in the morning session. The afternoon portion, which more that 700 people attended, was highlighted by a powerful keynote presentation by powerful presentation by City National Bank Chief Executive Kelly Coffey and a luncheon awards program where we honored achievement by powerful women who make a difference throughout Los Angeles. 

Laura McHolm – Entrepreneur of the Year Honoree: One of the few women at the helm of a moving company, Laura McHolm had an unlikely start for a moving company co-founder, teaching basic programming on Apple computers, then working in marketing for Atari while the company was still in its infancy. Then, after law school, McHolm was working as a corporate intellectual property lawyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura McHolm, NorthStar Moving’s Co-Founder and Director of Marketing received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Women’s Council & Awards on June 20, 2019 in Los Angeles. It was a half day event full of inspiration and education.  Business women in Los Angeles shared their wisdom through a series of dynamic panels followed by a luncheon awards program honoring outstanding achievements by the top business women who make a difference throughout Los Angeles. 
The Entrepreneur of the Year award is given to women who started or operate a business of their own while simultaneously impacting their community for the better. Laura McHolm was chosen as an honoree for changing the dim views consumers once held of the moving industry, while contributing time, services and financial support to charitable and social conscious organizations. 

 

Founded in 1994 by wife and husband team Laura McHolm and Ram Katalan, Los Angeles based NorthStar Moving Company has redefined the moving industry. It is the first to offer eco-luxury moving services, elevating basic moving and storage services to a new unparalleled level of customer service, customized care and environmental consciousness. The company has been honored with more awards for service than any other moving company for corporate culture, green practices, community outreach, and growth. screenshot-family-owned

The Los Angeles Business Journal and Best Companies Group Created the “Best Places to Work” in greater Los Angeles award twelve years ago. The survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Los Angeles, benefiting the county’s economy, workforce and businesses.
If Los Angeles County were a nation, its economy would be the 19th largest in the world. It is home to more than 244,000 businesses, with more minority and women-owned businesses than any other in the nation. Out of this remarkable number of Los Angeles businesses, 100 companies end up in the Best Places to Work list. NorthStar Moving was named one of the “Best Places to Work” in greater Los Angeles for the ninth consecutive year. It ranked an impressive #23 in the best medium sized company category.

The Los Angeles Business Journal publishes an annual Women in Business list. A women owned business is defined as a business with at least 50% women ownership. NorthStar Moving, Co-Founded by Laura McHolm and Ram Katalan, was ranked #59 in 2018.

The Women’s Council and Awards is a half day event in which the top business leaders in Los Angeles will share their wisdom through a series of Keynote speeches, dynamic panels, and workshops.
The 2018 event was held on June 22 in Los Angeles. Laura McHolm, Co-Founder and Director of Marketing of NorthStar Moving was a nominee in the Business Owner of the Year category.