Describe your business.
Redefining the cranial real estate market with innovatively designed headphones and music accessories.

How have you impacted your community?
Simply looking at a Skullcandy product catalog is the clearest demonstration of this company's creativity and innovation. Skullcandy has singlehandedly taken a dry, black and white commodity product headphone category, and in just a few short years, changed the way people think of, buy and sell these products, thus launching not only a product, but a brand that merges technology with action sports.

How are you giving back to the community?
A successful entrepreneur, Alden consistently gives back to both the action sports industry and his community. Skullcandy and Alden give 5 percent of all pink products to not-for profit, Boarding for Breast Cancer. In 2008, Skullcandy made the largest donation the organization has yet to receive, over $36,000. Alden also donates supplies and his time to local ski and snowboard schools in Park City, Utah.

Describe your business.
Turning trash around with waste disposal and recycling at homes, schools and businesses.

How have you impacted your community?
My mission for the company has been to develop a more strategic way to dispose of all refuse material. I strive to be a responsible waste removal and recycling company, focusing more on recycling then disposal. I have initiated a "Going Green" campaign where we perform waste inspections for our clients to limit what goes into the landfill.

How are you giving back to the community?
Early education is important to set responsible recycling behavior at a young age. We host recycling events at the local schools to teach elementary students how important it is to recycle their paper, bottles, cans etc., and show them how easy it can be. We want them to feel that they are a part of saving their planet one bottle at a time.

Describe your business.
Using media, storytelling and technology to teach and inspire learners to reach their true potential.

How have you impacted your community?
Convinced that positive media and technology can have the same "sticking power" as popular media, we've pioneered a variety of CD-ROM, websites, books and films that entertain and teach. Our Animation-ish software has kids animating in minutes and sparks their inner artist. Our work on Generation Cures for Children's Hospital Boston mixes fun with altruism, empowering kids to "Make It Better."

How are you giving back to the community?
FableVision's economic impact on Boston is reflected in our 2009 Pacesetters Award, given by Boston Business Journal to recognize the area's fastest-growing private companies. This year, Boston Mayor Menino chose FableVision as the kickoff spot for Create Boston, a city-wide digital gaming initiative. In addition, Peter frequently speaks in elementary schools about the power of creativity.

Describe your business.
Developing portable, propane-based power systems for everything from laptops to unmanned vehicles.

How have you impacted your community?
Unlike competing fuel cell systems, Adaptive Materials' portable power system is fueled by propane--the same propane tank that fuels a camp stove fuels power for unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles and other devices that keep soldiers safe in the field. Adaptive Materials fuel cell systems also power consumer devices, like laptops, cell phones and other electrical devices.

How are you giving back to the community?
Michelle Crumm's leadership has been instrumental in helping Adaptive Materials transition from startup to second-stage, fast-growing manufacturing company. As a dynamic community participant, Crumm is an active board member for the Washtenaw County American Red Cross and currently serves as treasurer for the Great Lakes Entrepreneur Quest executive board of directors.

Describe your business.
Connecting businesses with IT professionals in unconventional ways.

How have you impacted your community?
Creating a place where everyone is an owner, this is the stuff industry impact is made of. Ownership mandates re-thinking, re-engineering process daily, hourly for breakthrough thinking. E.g. Our secret Sauce (RPM) drives flawless team execution through quality control checkpoints. Project risk is minimized, lives are maximized. That's S.O.P at Crescent, as is our mission: "Everyone Wins."

How are you giving back to the community?
Our core business counteracts job loss stats by creating thousands of jobs every year. Special Olympics, mentoring students and going green are hot topics for Crescent these days. Fact is, the future is bright and our drive to make local to world impact is in its infancy. Now that I think about it, giving "everyone" in my company a budget to make a notable impact, that's next! Everyone wins.