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

Initial investment: $350K from private investors, savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $6.6M

Success secret: Opportunities are limitless when you provide a unique service.

65. Regionalhelpwanted.com.Inc.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY

www.regionalhelpwanted.com

Local online job sites & online personals site

Eric Straus

Began: July 1999 w/o employees; now 32 employees

Initial investment: $2.5M from private investors

2003 sales: $8.7M

Success secret: Top line better be more than expenses! Take care of your employees and customers to make that happen.

66. Advance Med LLC

CEDAR PARK, TX

www.advancemed.org

Medical staffing

Erick Barnett, John Clements, Kaine Smith

Began: September 2001 w/o employees; now 6 employees

Initial investment: $100K from savings/personal funds, line of credit

2003 sales: $4.4M

Success secret: Treat each employee like you would want to be treated, and work as a team.

67. Red Hawk Construction LLC

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA

Site development construction

Gary Scheidt, Justin Botifan, Gary Moore

Began: November 2001 w/4 employees; now 42 employees

Initial investment: $200K from credit cards, savings/personal funds, line of credit

2003 sales: $4M

Success secret: We hold our customers paramount. We listen to them and strive to consistently meet their requirements and exceed their expectations.

68. Mar-Mac Design & Construction Inc.

TUCSON, AZ

www.marmacconstruction.com

Commercial general contractor

Robert W. Martino

Began: May 2001 w/3 employees; now 10 employees

Initial investment: $100K from private investors

2003 sales: $4.9M

Success secret: Excellence in workmanship, integrity, teamwork. Once everyone from the founder to the superintendents to the support staff buys into that simple mission statement, relationships are created, and the company thrives.

69. RKW Logistics LLC

ATLANTA

www.rkwlogistics.com

Third-party logistics

Chad Oginz, William Kentner, Charles Rutland

Began: April 2002 w/4 employees; now 14 employees

Initial investment: $60K from credit cards, savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $3.2M

Success secret: Identifying solutions to customers' challenges, not just providing modes of transportation

70. Motor Car Auto Carriers Inc.

COMMERCE CITY, CO

Automobile transport services

Bruce Balsley, Dean Smith

Began: November 2000 w/1 employee; now 33 employees

Initial investment: $18K from savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $5.7M

Success secret: Success is accomplished through teamwork.

71. POS World Inc.

ATLANTA

www.posworld.com

POS & bar-code sales & services

Joseph M. Bushey

Began: March 1999 w/o employees; now 5 employees

Initial investment: $1K from savings/personal funds

2003 sales: $8.7M

Success secret: One foot in front of the other

72. Toner Machining Technologies

MORGANTON, NC

www.tonermachining.com

Machine design & construction/contract machining

Jim Toner, Iris Toner

Began: January 2002 w/1 employee; now 32 employees

Initial investment: $300K from bank loan, savings/personal funds, line of credit

2003 sales: $3.6M

Success secret: We believe in treating our employees and associates just like we would want to be treated, by being fair and honest with them at all times.