Fast Lane

21. Synergistic Computer Solutions, Haleiwa, HI
Hardware & software systems
John Varel
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 50 employees
Initial investment: $50K from credit card
1997 sales: $7.8M

22. Midland-Frantz Construction Group, Park Ridge, IL
General contracting
Larry Ressler, Dan McHugh
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $75K from bank loan, priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $7.8M

23. H. Greenblatt & Co. Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Textile printing
Howard Greenblatt, Toni Payne
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $450K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $5.18M

24. Hyneman Companies LLC, Biloxi, MS
Residential construction
Rusty Hyneman, Fay Mitrenga
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $75K from savings
1997 sales: $7.71M

25. Allstar Pipe & Supply Co., Jonesboro, GA
Water & waste-water distribution
Norman L. Gillson, James A. Sowersby
Began: 1996 w/6 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $117K from friends/family
1997 sales: $5.11M

26. U.S. Medical Inc., Denver, CO
Medical devices
Carson & Roesener families
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: None
1997 sales: $4.76M

27. Technoquip Co. Inc., Houston, TX
Wholesale manufacturers' representative
Angel E. Santiago
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $60K from friends/family, bank loan, credit card
1997 sales: $4.74M

28. rs-unix.com, San Francisco, CA
Computer systems integration services
Jeff Medeiros
Began: 1996 w/6 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $15K from credit card, savings
1997 sales: $4.46M

29. Apex Design Technology Inc., Anaheim, CA
Hydraulic, pneumatic & electronic systems
David J. Reiniger, Todd M. Gallagher, Harsoyo Lukito
Began: 1995 w/12 employees; 65 employees
1997 sales: $6.66M

30. Showcase of Homes Inc., Piedmont, SC
Manufactered home sales & real estate brokerage
Tim W. Revis
Began: 1995 w/8 employees; 25 employees
Initial investment: $140K from savings
1997 sales: $6.66M

This article was originally published in the June 1998 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Fast Lane.