Business Services Industry
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
56. Econoline Abrasive Products Inc.
GRAND HAVEN, MI
Sandblasting equipment manufacturing
Dan DePottey
Began: April 2001 w/19 employees; now 22 employees
Initial investment: $1.4M from bank loan, savings/personal funds, line of credit
2003 sales: $6.1M
Success secret: Build an organization where everyone understands they are an important part of its success.
57. Zone Mechanical
HICKORY HILLS, IL
Commercial refrigeration/HVAC
Daniel Palubiak, Frank Petrosino
Began: April 2001 w/5 employees; now 21 employees
Initial investment: $175K from bank loan, private investors
2003 sales: $5.98M
Success secret: Knowledgeable employees, perseverance and old-fashioned hard work
58. Cougar Turbine Supply LP
CONROE, TX
Industrial gas turbine parts & services
Allen Shearer, Robert Cook
Began: August 1999 w/5 employees; now 13 employees
Initial investment: $130K from private investors
2003 sales: $9.1M
Success secret: Take care of your people, take care of your customers, maintain your focus, never sacrifice quality, maintain uncompromised integrity and have fun.
59. Gulfstream Business Bank Inc.
STUART, FL
Business bank
Merrill Armstrong, Robert Cline, Richard Jacobus, Thomas Lucido, John E. Tranter, William Porter, Michael Ciferri, Gene Goldin, Robert Kramer
Began: May 1999 w/9 employees; now 48 employees
Initial investment: $11.4M from private investors
2003 sales: $9.6M
Success secret: Hire the best people, and pay them well.
60. American Century Mortgage Ltd.
MASON, OH
Mortgage broker
James E. Clark, Rick G. Browning
Began: August 2000 w/4 employees; now 48 employees
Initial investment: $75K from bank loan, line of credit
2003 sales: $6.98M
Success secret: Be strong in all facets of your operation. A weakness is your enemy.
61. Thralow Inc.
DULUTH, MN
Specialty Internet retail sales
Daniel Thralow
Began: January 2001 w/8 employees; now 21 employees
Initial investment: $0
2003 sales: $6.1M
Success secret: Improve every day. Do not get mad at mistakes; however, do not repeat mistakes. Share information, and listen to employees.
62. Rocksolid Granit USA Inc.
MIRA LOMA, CA
www.granitetransformations.com
Remodeling services
Bob Smith, Colin Mackenzie, Pino Bisazza
Began: March 2001 w/6 employees; now 21 employees
Initial investment: $200k from private investors
2003 sales: $5.7M
Success secret: Build a strong foundation, focus on the future and stay one step ahead.
63. Equity Consultants LLC
RICHFIELD, OH
Mortgage company
Goran Marich, Ryko Marich
Began: May 2002 w/o employees; now 85 employees
Initial investment: $75K from savings/personal funds
2003 sales: $3.4M
Success secret: Results are a product of one's beliefs, standards and expectations. You can accomplish great things by simply changing the way you think.
64. Concentric Marketing
CHARLOTTE, NC
Marketing & advertising agency
Robert Shaw, Tricia Snead, Frank Rizzo
Began: September 2000 w/6 employees; now 23 employees
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