Entrepreneurs across America - Cover Story

Entrepreneur, April, 1996 by Janean Chuna, Debra Phillips, Cynthia E. Grifin, Heather Page, Lynn Beresford, Holly Celeste Fisk, Charlotte Mulhern

The 33-year-old entrepreneur admits he's a pioneer. The proof? In a previously nonexistent niche, says Caporilli, "we now have competitors."

IOWA

Company: Yeoman & Co. Location: Monticello Business Began: 1929 Start-Up Cost: under $1,000 1995 Sales: $2 million 1996 Projections: $3.5 million

When the weather outside is frightful, Tom Yeoman's sales are delightful. "Business is great when the weather is miserable," says Yeoman, 46, whose company manufactures high-grade snow shovels. "The phones ring off the hook." And the wicked weather of '96 has been no exception. "It's had a very positive effect on sales," says Yeoman.

But business wasn't always so good, says Yeoman, whose grandfather started developing the line of snow shovels and garden tools during the Great Depression. "It was a real poor time, but my grandfather would assemble tools in his basement, leave every Monday morning with a trunkload of lawn rakes, and wouldn't come back till he had them sold," says Yeoman.

While plenty of things have changed since those early days, the entrepreneurial spirit behind the business hasn't: Since taking over in 1982, Yeoman has added several new products, including a line of ergonomic snow shovels, and has started exporting to Japan and Canada. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. . . .

CALIFORNIA

Company: Trevco Location: Monrovia Business Began: 1993 Start-Up Cost: $25,000 1995 Sales: $3 million 1996 Projections: $3 million plus

When a friend's 3-year-old son broke more than $500 worth of Dran May Reese's crystal collection, no one would have blamed her if she'd come unglued. Instead, it inspired Reese, 38, to develop Quake Hold!, a substance that adheres collectibles to shelves and tabletops.

Reese spent a year experimenting with caulking, Silly Putty and dental adhesives. Finally, with the help of a chemist, she developed a puttylike substance that not only worked but was removable and blended in with the furniture "so you don't feel like you're living in a war zone," she says.

Quake-wary Californians aren't the only customers who've grown attached to Quake Hold! The product is also marketed nationwide under the name Collector's Hold and is used to secure valuables in museums.

Encouraged by the success of Quake Hold!, Reese has added other safety products to Trevco's line, including the Clever Lever, a childproof cabinet latch, and earthquake safety fasteners to keep larger items such as computers and furniture secure during temblors.

MAINE

Company: Bethel Furniture Stock Inc. Location: Bethel Business Began: 1958 Start-Up Cost: $15,000 1995 Sales: $6.2 million 1996 Projections: $6.5 million

Leon Favreau puts his money where his mouth is. Why else would the 52- year-old entrepreneur plunk down $600,000 for new equipment last year, if not for a unbending faith in technology?

While the wood products industry has dwindled in recent years, Favreau's business--creating parts for wood chairs and tables--has stayed competitive by going high-tech. "We were afraid if we didn't diversify, we wouldn't be competitive over the long term," he says.