Heat wave: which new businesses are on the fast track to success? The companies in entrepreneur and D&B's 10th Annual Hot 100 listing are blazing their way to the top

Entrepreneur, June, 2004

1. Arbitech

LAGUNA BEACH, CA

www.arbitech.com

Hardware & software distributor

Torin Pavia, William Poovey

Began: August 2000 w/8 employees; now 37 employees

Initial investment: $500K from savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $86.2M

Success secret: We place our customers first; we stand behind everything we sell.

2. Colarelli Construction Inc.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

www.colarelliconstruction.com

Commercial general contractor & construction management

Vincent Colarelli

Began: January 2003 w/1 employee; now 12 employees

Initial investment: $400K from savings/personal funds, line of credit

2003 sales: $20.6M

Success secret: It's never about us. We view every decision based on what's in the best interest of our client, and then we make sure that we deliver.

3. PromoWorks LLC

SCHAUMBURG, IL

www.promoworkspromotions.com

Marketing services

Mike Balogh, Mike Kent, Jon Bos

Began: August 1999 w/9 employees; now 115 employees

Initial investment: $2M from friends/family, private investors, savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $77.6M

Success secret: Follow your passion, and then take the lead. Stay focused, stay humble, and have fun. Realize companies don't succeed, people do. Make sure everyone shares in the victories.

4. United Source One

BALTIMORE

International food distribution

Michael Imgarten

Began: October 2000 w/26 employees; now 38 employees

Initial investment: $250K from savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $45M

Success secret: Building bridges of trust and understanding with our employees, vendors and international trading partners

5. Garden of Life

WEST PALM BEACH, FL

www.gardenoflifeusa.com

Health & wellness company

Jordan S. Rubin

Began: June 2000 w/3 employees; now 140 employees

Initial investment: $400K from friends/family

2003 sales: $43.2M

Success secret: We are driven by a noble mission, not just a bottom line. We measure successes by the number of lives we have positively impacted.

6. Infologix Inc.

BENSALEM, PA

www.infologixsys.com

Wireless system integration

Richard Hodge, David Gulian, Craig Wilensky

Began: August 2001 w/2 employees; now 46 employees

Initial investment: $150K from private investors, line of credit

2003 sales: $28.4M

Success secret: To teach and maintain through employees and partners the importance of exceptional customer service

7. Denton Harley-Davidson LP

DENTON, TX

www.americaneaglehd.com

Authorized Harley-Davidson dealership

Ron Stegall, Cindy Stegall, Todd Martin, Debi Martin, Ron Stegall Jr., Azu Stegall

Began: July 2001 W/10 employees; now 40 employees

Initial investment: $1.9M from bank loan, savings/personal funds, line of credit

2003 sales: $25.2M

Success secret: Integrity! Integrity in our pricing. Integrity with our customers. Integrity with our employees by having compensation plans that allow them to share in their contributions and ultimately the success of the overall company.

8. Winspec

WALNUT, CA

www.winspecwest.com

Computer memory manufacturer

Marco Fuxa, Martin H. Hofer, Joachim P. Nemeth

Began: September 1999 w/o employees; now 15 employees

Initial investment: $200K from private investors

2003 sales: $43.3M

Success secret: Go the extra mile to make things happen.

9. Media Storm LLC

SOUTH NORWALK, CT

www.mediastorm.biz

Advertising agency

Tim Williams, Craig Woerz

Began: November 2001 w/o employees; now 9 employees

Initial investment: $90K from savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $21.5M

Success secret: Be a "yes" company. Always deliver what the client wants, and then some.

10. Cypress Natural Gas LLC

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Natural gas & energy marketing

Richard W. Gechter Jr.

Began: May 2001 w/1 employee; now 3 employees

Initial investment: $3.5M from private investors

2003 sales: $25.4M

Success secret: Work smarter and harder than your competitors. Limit your risk.

11. Pro-Motion Technology Group LLC

WIXOM, MI

www.pro-motion.us

Commercial audio/video sales, installation & services

Lynn Matson

Began: January 2003 w/5 employees; now 30 employees

Initial investment: $2M from credit cards, savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $9.4M

Success secret: Optimism and a positive attitude are key. You must believe in what you do and enjoy it. Optimists and enthusiasts are winners.

12. United Lumber Remanufacturing LLC

MUSCLE SHOALS, AL

www.unitedlumber.net

Industrial crating & lumber sales

Richard Pace, Delbert Brown

Began: December 2000 w/6 employees; now 56 employees

Initial investment: $400K from savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $24.3M

Success secret: Start early, and work smart.

13. Tech Target Inc.

NEEDHAM, MA

www.techtarget.com

Tech media & events

Greg Strakosch, Don Hawk

Began: September 1999 w/5 employees; now 240 employees

Initial investment: $12M from private investors

2003 sales: $32.5M

Success secret: Hire great people, and give them the resources and training to be successful. Then get out of their way, and let them do their jobs.

14. Madwood Lumber LLC

BIRMINGHAM, AL