Fast Lane Entrepreneur and Dun & Bradstreet's fourth annual Hot 100 -- the fastest-growing new small businesses in America.

It's an Ed-Mcmahon-at-the-door kind of moment for us. Thisis the time, every year-the fourth in a row, for those keepingtrack-when we announce the 100 hottest new small businesses in thecountry. With help from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), theworld's leading research-based business information provider,we comb the national commercial landscape to determine theentrepreneurial equivalents of sweepstakes winners.
Or maybe not, on second thought. For while sweepstakes winnersdepend on pure, unadulterated luck, successful entrepreneursrealize that luck is only a byproduct of pure, unadulterated hardwork. Factor in pure, unadulterated passion, and you've got asnear a formula as exists for running a thriving business.

"Small-business owners really have a passion for what theydo," says William F. Doescher, senior vice president and chiefcommunications officer for D&B. "Every one of these hot100 [companies' owners] have this type of attitude-or theywouldn't be successful."

Not that we measure attitude in this listing. What we domeasure-based on D&B's mammoth database-is company salesgrowth from the year of inception. The criteria we use includes thefollowing:

• The founder must be actively involved in daily operations andmust control at least 51 percent of the business.
  
  
• The business must have been founded no earlier than 1995.
  
  
• Annual sales must have exceeded $1 million in 1997.
  
  
• Companies must meet the SBA's definition of a smallbusiness, based on the number of employees and sales figures.(These numbers vary according to industry.)
  
  Of special interest this year is the presence of Internet firms inour ranking. "This is the first year our list has includedsmall businesses making a living off the In-ternet," observesDoescher. "It's just further evidence that smallbusinesses [and consumers] are migrating to the Internet. [Infact,] 47 percent of small-business owners now have access to theInternet."
  
  Access to a booming economy is obviously another plus for ourentrepreneurial sweepstakes winners. Consumer confidence is high;small-business confidence is even higher. Ironically, however, thelatter situation may be more a reflection of the participantsthemselves than of any economic indicators. "I'm not sure[entrepreneurs] pay an awful lot of attention to whether the stockmarket continues to grow or whether the economy is in goodshape," Doescher says. "They just want to start their ownbusinesses. They want to be owners of their owndestiny."
  
  On that note, prepare to meet a few of these owners of their owndestinies in the profiles included on the following pages. Theseare people for whom pure, unadulterated hard work and luckaren't just concepts-they're a way of life. These arepeople whose entrepreneurial dreams were not only realized, butwere realized at a speed that probably even took them bysurprise.
  
  But such is the nature of dreams, we suppose. They can-and oftendo-come true. "The great American dream today is [to launch]your own business," says Doescher. "And the wide varietyof companies in the Hot 100 underscores the fact that anyone canpursue this dream."
  
  And that just reaffirms our initial feelings: This is anEd-McMahon-at-the-door kind of moment.
  
  

About Dun & Bradstreet

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), with the world's largestbusiness information database, tracks 49 million companiesworldwide, 11 million in the United States alone. Businesses useD&B's services to find new customers and evaluate theircreditworthiness, identify potential suppliers, and collect overduereceivables.

Through face-to-face and telephone interviews and public-recordssearches, more than 200 million financial transactions are addedannually to D&B's files in the United States alone. D&Bupdates its information base continually-more than 750,000 timeseach business day.

When businesses are entered into the D&B database, they areissued D-U-N-S numbers (similar to Social Security numbers forcompanies). The U.S. federal government requires companies to havethis number to bid for government contracts. Also used by theUnited Nations and the European Union, the D&B D-U-N-S numberis quickly becoming the universal standard for identifyingbusinesses on the World Wide Web as well.

For more information about D&B, call (800) 234-3867 or visitthe D&B Web site at www.dnb.com. To register for a D-U-N-Snumber, call (800) 333-0505.

Dressed For Success

By Laura Tiffany

John Paul Beltran and Richard Hirsh have shown both entrepreneurialand fashion flair with John Paul Richard Inc., their Chatsworth,California, women's apparel company-so much flair, in fact,that they landed the No. 1 spot in Entrepreneur's Hot100 ranking with revenues of $46.5 million in 1997, their firstfull year in business.

The founders joined forces after working together at Melrose, awomen's apparel manufacturing company Hirsh had founded in1974. Hirsh sold the company in 1986 and, after spending 10 yearsworking for the new owner, he and Beltran found the corporate lifeless than fulfilling. "We decided we'd had enough of thecorporate environment," recalls Hirsh. "We wanted to getout and start our own business."

Their experience in the apparel industry proved to be their key tosuccess. With $1 million in start-up capital culled from personalsavings, they secured $1.6 million in loans and created arelationship with Heller Financial Inc., a Chicago-basedinternational commercial finance company. This helped them garner$25 million in factor loans (loans backed by outstanding invoicesand current orders) last year to purchase raw materials and keepthe company above water while it grew. "[Heller] was thefinancial engine behind our colossal growth," says Hirsh."It was critical in making [funding] available."

"Heller took a big chance on us because of our extensiveindustry experience," says Beltran. With these resources, thepartners had no problem gathering an experienced staff fromindustry contacts. They were also able to land accounts with suchnational retailers as Macy's, Mervyn's and Sears almostimmediately.

"Giving a start-up company like John Paul Richard [space] inthe stores was not so far-fetched because these were peoplewe'd had tremendous experience with over the years," Hirshexplains.

But most important, the partners' familiarity with the marketand cus-tomers helped them discover an unfilled niche: fashionablemisses' clothes. "We fill a gap in the department storebusiness," explains Bel-tran, 44. "The misses'department is filled with traditional merchandise. We bring inmerchandise that is more fashionable and still very reasonablypriced."

"We understand our market and each individual player we dealwith," adds Hirsh, 45. "And we have a keen understandingof what will sell at what price point."

Not content to stop with just one clothing line, Beltran and Hirshare ready to conquer other departments with their fashions. "Ithink the next [thing to do] is to seek more accounts," saysBeltran. "In the future, we'll go after the petite-sizedand large-sized customers, [markets] we have barely touched on sofar."

With plans to double its astounding first-year revenues this year,John Paul Richard's success shouldn't wear out any timesoon.

Hot Wired

By G. David Doran

In the real world, a newcomer to the retail computer ac-cessoriesmarket like AMT Component Inc. in Irvine, California, would have avery slim chance of successfully competing with establishedmegastores like Comp-USA and Fry's Electronics. But in thevirtual world of the Internet, AMT, which sells more than 35,000computer products, ranging from printer ink cartridges to networkrouters, through its Web site, has become a force to be reckonedwith. It posted sales of $2.1 million in only its second year ofoperation, helping to earn it the No. 83 spot in Entrepreneur'sHot 100 ranking.

Alex Chen, 24, started AMT in 1996 with a little help from hissavings and his parents' credit status, selling computerperipherals such as monitors and hard drives through ads incomputer magazines and a small Web site.

As the number of people purchasing goods and services through theInternet grew, so did AMT, allowing Chen to add more products tohis database until the number of offerings began to rival that ofthe mega-stores-only Chen doesn't have the high overhead of alarge retail location or a sales staff.

Chen, who moved to the United States from Taiwan in 1986, nursedthe fledgling company along by putting every penny of profit backinto the operation and building strong relationships withcustomers. Paraphrasing Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, Chen assertsthat customer satisfaction should be the first priority of anyonline business.

"When you fail to satisfy a customer at a retail store,he'll tell 10 people," says Chen. "But if you [upset]a customer at an e-commerce site, that person will tell 6,000people by posting his complaint where everyone on the Internet cansee it."

The news that Egghead Computer had closed all 80 of its retaillocations in February to concentrate its efforts on the Internetwas no surprise to Chen, who believes e-commerce will eventuallyrevolutionize the way business and consumers interact in themarketplace.

Power Broker

By Jessica Goins

They say that in Texas, everything is big . . . and CherylThompson-Draper's company is no exception. In 1995, she startedWarren Electric Telecom & Utilities, a wholesale distributor oftelecommunications and utilities products. Since then, the companythat ranked No. 19 in Entrepreneur's Hot 100 has beengrowing at lightning speed, bringing in $8.25 million in revenuesfor 1997, with more than $12 million expected this year.

Thompson-Draper's Houston company is roping up a sizableportion of the Lone Star State's telecommunications andutilities products markets. How does she do it? By distributingalmost every kind of product used by the power companies and bySouthwestern Bell, all the way up to the outlets in the wall, saysThompson-Draper-no small feat in an industry that's beentraditionally male-dominated.

"The utilities side is still very male-dominated," saysThompson-Draper. "The telecommunications side is not. Thetelecommunications industry is very blind to which sex they'redealing with, and they really don't care. It's a new enoughindustry that it doesn't have any hang-ups from the olddays."

Not that Thompson-Draper, 47, was a novice when she started hertelecommunications and utilities company. She also owns WarrenElectric, the 79-year-old industrial electric company owned by herfamily that she gained control of in 1993. Her experience turnedout to be a big help when she was seeking $2 million in financingfor her new company. The banks looked at her track record withWarren Electric, which boasted a Texas-sized $200 million in sales;needless to say, she got the loans. Laughs Thompson-Draper, "Iguess I was a good risk." That's a big dealanywhere.

Talk Of The Town

By Michelle Prather

Comedians often target the South as redneck heaven, but Deborah R.and Jim Ford Jr., owners of Entrepreneur's Hot 100 No.35-ranked Grits Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama, make it their businessto create a positive image of the place they call home. Theiraffection for Southern traditions has blossomed into success worthmillions.

The husband-and-wife team found its niche in the gift and apparelindustries by putting phrases that exemplify Southern traditionsand upbringing (such as "Southern Girls Don't Sweat-TheyGlisten") on mugs, wine glasses, pillows, apparel and more.Their story dates back to August 1995, when native AlabamanDeborah, now 45, screen-printed a phrase she's heard most ofher life, "Grits: Girls Raised In The South," onto hervolleyball players' T-shirts at the junior high school whereshe taught and coached. A few months later, she met Jim, now 47,who saw dollar signs in the catch phrase. With an extensivebackground in sales and marketing, he told his soon-to-be-wife hethought she was sitting on a gold mine. Deborah then applied totrademark the "Grits" phrase and thought up 25 moreSouthern sayings, such as "PMS: Precious MoodySoutherners" and "Southern Girls Know That Friends AreForevah."

When they sold $65,000 worth of embroidered goods, such asT-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, at the Atlanta Apparel Mart'sJuly Gift Show in 1996, the now-married couple decided to quittheir jobs and take on Grits full time. "At the next show, wedid more than $100,000, and at the next show, we did more than$150,000," says Jim.

The days of relying only on trade shows for visibility are longgone. No strangers to the word "expansion," the Fordshave increased their warehouse space three times, and for goodreason: They now have 1,620 active accounts, including Lebanon,Tennessee-based restaurant chain Cracker Barrel and 500 Hallmarkstores. And this year's Atlanta Gift Mart will see the premiereof a voice chip-enhanced book and stuffed animal series gearedtoward youngsters.

Success didn't come without some hurdles, however: The Fordsencountered theft early on-$50,000 worth of merchandise was stolenfrom one of their warehouses-and their $4 million-plus salesfigures for 1997 could have been close to $5 million if theyhadn't suffered an $800,000 loss in revenue due to vendorshipping delays. But a booming business makes it easier to recover.Jim attributes their overwhelming success to their distributionnetwork, the strength of their trademark, their devoted staff andrecent CFO addition Doug Johnson.

With Deborah's flair for color, style and catchy sayings, andJim's knack for running a business, these dynamos are makingmillions embracing-and marketing-the South. The Fords project salesof $8 million for 1998 and hope to expand nationwide.

High Rollers

By Jesse Hertstein

Randolph and Kathleen Bobe seem to have hit the jackpot with their$11 million food distribution service for Atlantic City, NewJersey, casinos. However, theirs is not a story of luck so much asa history of hard work. After receiving a bachelor's degree infood marketing in 1980, Kathleen, 39, worked her way up fromassistant director of food service for a hospital to food buyer atTropicana Hotel & Casino before collaborating on the opening ofChispanic Enterprises Inc. in 1996.

Randy, 49, has always been an entrepreneur: At 10, he caught andsold pigeons to Chinese restaurants and poultry markets in New YorkCity and used the profits to buy women's shoes and clothing tosell from the trunk of his father's car. He rolled cigars forhis grandmother, attended the Food and Maritime School, becameapprenticed in a butcher shop, and now works as general manager ofa major meat supplier-while also serving as vice president of thepartners' Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, company, ranked No. 7 inEntrepreneur's Hot 100 ranking.

From the start, the Bobes have drawn no salary from the company,and they do all the work themselves. This hands-on approach haskept Chispanic ahead of the competition. "We're a verysmall company where we answer the phone, we don't have voicemail, and we're in tune with what customers need," saysKathleen. "If there's a problem, we address itimmediately."

But this steadfast patience isn't always easy. "Find whatyou do best, stick to that, and perfect it," Kathleen advisesbudding entrepreneurs. "Don't grow faster than you canafford to." With plans to expand their product line as well assell to the newest casinos in Atlantic City, the Bobes hope theirwinning streak continues.

Listings 1-10

Research by Adrienne S. Coehlo and Liza Potter

1. John Paul Richard Inc., Chatsworth, CA
Women's apparel manufacturer
John Paul Beltran, Richard Hirsh
Began: 1996 w/18 employees; 68 employees
Initial investment: $1M from savings
1997 sales: $45.68M

2. Telephone Company of Central Florida, Lake Mary, FL
Local & long-distance telephone services
Elder N. Ripper III
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 64 employees
Initial investment: $1.5M from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $33.82M

3. Heritage Gas Services LLC, Tulsa, OK
Natural gas services
Dave Presley
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 38 employees
Initial investment: $500K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $23.63M

4. Energy Alloys Inc., Houston, TX
Steel distribution & inventory management
Samuel D. Warren, Ralph Mullens, Robert G. Pond
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 29 employees
Initial investment: $60K from savings
1997 sales: $21.93M

5. Prologix Inc., Horsham, PA
Integration of radio frequency systems
Paul Speese, Terrence O'Neill, David Gulian
Began: 1996 w/8 employees; 15 employees
Initial investment: $300K from savings
1997 sales: $14.5M

6. Dudley Barrett Construction Co., Roswell, GA
General contracting & commercial construction
David Barrett, Jeff Dudley
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 42 employees
Initial investment: $130K from savings
1997 sales: $21.43M

7. Chispanic Enterprises Inc., Egg Harbor City, NJ
Wholesale food distribution
Kathleen J. Bobe, Randolph T. Bobe
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $76K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $11.59M

8. Kay Construction Inc., Cherry Hill, NJ
Construction mgmt. & general contracting
Lorraine Kay, Tom Viviano
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 15 employees
Initial investment from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $14.45M

9. Shonfeld's (USA) Inc., South Hackensack, NJ
Gourmet gift products
Boaz Shonfeld
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $1.3M from friends/family
1997 sales: $14.1M

10. Kompass Food Trading Int'l., River Edge, NJ
Packaged frozen fruits & vegetables importing
Brad Koshar, Jack Simon
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $250K from friends/family, priv.Investors
1997 sales: $9.06M

Listings 11-20

11. Sunkota Construction Inc., Sioux Falls, SD
Contruction & construction management
Robert A. Fraser, Jeanette M. Fraser
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $8.17M

12. Angel Produce Inc., Torrance, CA
Exporter
Yukio Bito
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $70K from friends/family
1997 sales: $11.39M

13. Digital System Technology, Irwindale, CA
Digital television systems
John T. Duggin Sr.
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 9 employees
Initial investment: $15K from savings
1997 sales: $10.11M

14. High Point Solutions Inc., Sparta, NJ
Communications equipment distribution
Michael T. Mendiburu, Thomas T. Mendiburu
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $1K from credit card
1997 sales: $6.7M

15. Ariston Technologies, Huntington Beach, CA
Computer memory systems
Lazaros Bountour
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $140K from savings
1997 sales: $9.88M

16. Flooring Systems Inc., Fenton, MO
Commercial flooring subcontracting
Ron K. Komlos, Sandra K. Komlos
Began: 1995 w/15 employees; 60 employees
Initial investment: $50K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $9.67M

17. Switch Manufacturing, San Francisco, CA
Snowboard bindings & boots
Erik Andersen, Jeff Sand, Tony Guerrero
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $45K in equity, $500K from loans
1997 sales: $9.19M

18. SCS America, Foster City, CA
Software consulting services
Michael A. Ober
Began: 1995 w/9 employees; 50 employees
Initial investment: $200K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $8.4M

19. Warren Electric Telecom & Utilities, Houston,TX
Utility & telecom-datacom products
Cheryl L. Thompson-Draper
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $2M loan from previous business
1997 sales: $8.25M

20. Organic Ingredients Inc., Aptos, CA
Organic foods
Joseph J. Stern, John Battendieri
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $300K from savings, $1M from line ofcredit
1997 sales: $5.32M

Listings 21-30

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, creditcard
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

Listings 31-40

31. Magnum Staffing Services Inc., Houston, TX
Staffing services
Caroline Brown, Darrel O. Brown
Began: 1996 w/108 employees; 365 employees
Initial investment: $70K from friends/family
1997 sales: $4.16M

32. Hired-Hand Green Inc., Bremen, AL
Commercial greenhouse manufacturer
Steven Crider, Grant Crider, Shawn Crider
Began: 1996 w/17 employees; 38 employees
Initial investment: $250K from bank loan
1997 sales: $4.06M

33. International Security & Trading, Miami, FL
Security equipment
Augusto Perez, Jesus Gonzalez
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $25K from savings
1997 sales: $6.04M

34. National Service Solutions, Moorestown, NJ
National facility management services
James H.B. Hoff
Began: 1996 w/10 employees; 15 employees
Initial investment: $300K+ from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $4.03M

35. Grits Inc., Birmingham, AL
Southern-themed embroidered goods
James C. Ford Jr., Deborah R. Ford
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $100K from priv. investors, credit card,savings
1997 sales: $4.02M

36. Sente Financial Corp., Sacramento, CA
Mortage lending services
Marc Ely, Susan Ely
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 60 employees
Initial investment: $400K from savings
1997 sales: $5.96M

37. TERRA Constructors Ltd., Denton, TX
Geo-technical contracting
George Koelling, Dennis Collins, Chris McGhee, Virgil Jarnagin,Rick Graves
Began: 1996 w/20 employees; 25 employees
Initial investment: $600K from savings
1997 sales: $3.95M

38. DMR & Associates Inc., Sacramento, CA
Staffing services
David H. Waldschmitt
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $150K from savings
1997 sales: $5.81M

39. Curbs Plus Inc., Rossville, GA
Roof curbs & accessories
Marc Brower, Ken Herrick, Steve Jensen, Jon Steed
Began: 1996 w/15 employees; 50 employees
Initial investment: $425K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $3.83M

40. CNG Communications Inc., Tucson, AZ
Telecommunications products & services
Paul Bishop
Began: 1995 w/25 employees; 78 employees
Initial investment: $150K from savings
1997 sales: $5.74M

Listings 41-50

41. Summit Industrial Construction, Lawrenceville,GA
Industrial construction & maintenance
Michael T. Ballard, Mark W. Bryan
Began: 1996 w/12 employees; 35 employees
Initial investment: $50K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $3.52M

42. Business Alliance Capital Corp., Princeton, NJ
Commercial financing
Theodore Kompa, Jeffrey Goldrich
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $6.1M from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $5.21M

43. Tactica Technology Group, Dallas, TX
Business & technology consulting, software products
Rene Larrave, Kevin Albright, Eddie Mayfield
Began: 1996 w/15 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: $400K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $3.46M

44. Lakeshore Staffing Inc., Chicago, IL
Temporary & permanent staffing services
John P. Johnson, Scott C. Allen
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 20 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $5.17M

45. Steele Solutions Inc., Waukesha, WI
Custom mezzanines
Richard G. Kuchler, Terry E. Young, Micheal J. Thelen, Bill D.Benning
Began: 1996 w/7 employees; 9 employees
Initial investment: $80K from savings
1997 sales: $3.36M

46. Sams Data Products Inc., Annapolis, MD
VAR of computer products & services
John D. Soderberg
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $60K from friends/family
1997 sales: $5.02M

47. IXC Marketing Inc., Anaheim, CA
Long-distance services reseller
Mohamad Hassan, Mazda Begum
Began: 1996 w/10 employees; 35 employees
Initial investment: $60K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.34M

48. Rankserve, Newbury Park, CA
Copier products
Tim J. Marr
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 3 employees
Initial investment: $5K from savings
1997 sales: $3.25M

49. Fastener Link Inc., Houston, TX
Industrial fasteners
Nick Hasegawa
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 4 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $3.24M

50. Consignment Plus Home Furnishings Inc., Walnut Creek,CA
Home furnishings/accessories, art/jewelry on consignment
Patti Evans
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $78K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.16M

Listings 51-60

51. RAScom Inc., Salem, NH
Open system remote-access servers
Mark Galvin
Began: 1996 w/29 employees; 65 employees
Initial investment: $17.77M from friends/family, priv. investors,venture capital
1997 sales: $3.14M

52. Aztech Professional Services Inc., Phoenix, AZ
Information technology services
Kent E. Dicks
Began: 1996 w/22 employees; 70 employees
Initial investment: $75K from friends/family, credit card
1997 sales: $3.14M

53. Software USA, San Diego, CA
Software distribution
James Clelland
Began: 1996 w/45 employees; 75 employees
Initial investment: $1M from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.12M

54. ASA Solutions Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
VAR for Lawson Software, periphonics
David Atkins, Steve Arnold, Tom Schollmeyer
Began: 1995 w/27 employees; 34 employees
Initial investment: $66K from savings
1997 sales: $4.52M

55. Curtis-Straus LLC, Littleton, MA
Laboratory testing services
Jon D. Curtis, James E. Lewis, Isidor Straus
Began: 1996 w/11 employees; 22 employees
Initial investment: $300K from credit card, savings
1997 sales: $2.83M

56. Rehab Medical Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA
Medical supplies & equipment
Mario Rea, Jose Cava
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 3 employees
Initial investment: $70K from savings
1997 sales: $2.8M

57. PC Solutions Inc., Pompano Beach, FL
Network systems integration
Paul A. Stern, Stuart R. Cantin
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 20 employees
Initial investment: $30K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $4.1M

58. SightLine Studios Inc., Starke, FL
Custom designs/displays for entertainment/educationalindustries
Dennis MacDonald, Leonard Weinbaum, Andrew Kunzie, Joel H.Garrett
Began: 1996 w/20 employees; 73 employees
Initial investment: $25K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $2.67M

59. Fine Furniture Leather/Sleep Gallery, Waukee, IA
Retail leather furniture & sleep products
Eric C. Polson, James G. Sanders
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $40K from friends/family
1997 sales: $4M

60. DBI of North America, Joliet, IL
Construction/mining equipment
Paul Dillon
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $25K from savings
1997 sales: $2.63M

Listings 61-70

61. National Structures Inc., Syracuse, NY
General contracting & construction management
Dominick Madia, Robert Milne
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $40K from savings
1997 sales: $2.59M

62. Simple Network Communications, La Jolla, CA
Web site hosting services
Robert Bingham, Mark Hopperton, Tim Traver
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 24 employees
Initial investment: $10K from friends/family, credit card
1997 sales: $2.51M

63. Alliance Telecom Services Inc., Miami, FL
Long-distance services reseller
Hugo Vizcarra, David Guerra
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $200K from friends/family
1997 sales: $2.49M

64. Bird Co., Palo Alto, CA
Commercial print sales & production
Patrick J. Bird
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 1 employee
Initial investment: $25K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $2.49M

65. Control Solutions Inc., Lexington, KY
Industrial control system designs
Tracey Holder, Jim Graham, Earl Camic, Roger Cox, Gary Bomar
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 20 employees
Initial investment: $30K from savings
1997 sales: $2.45M

66. Bri-Mar Manufacturing Inc.,Chambersburg, PA
Hydraulic dump trailers
Brian Wise, Marcus Blank
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 25 employees
Initial investment: $36K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $3.66M

67. Telecom Labs Inc., Seattle, WA
Voice & data network systems
Doug Graham, Bruce Shelby
Began: 1996 w/15 employees; 23 employees
Initial investment: $350K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $2.44M

68. Rick's Uptown Market, Sacramento, CA
Grocery store
Rick Miller
Began: 1996 w/12 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $100K from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $2.44M

69. Dascom Systems Inc., St. Paul, MN
Videoconferencing systems/educational services
Dan Takkunen, Scott Apfelbacher
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $120K from savings
1997 sales: $3.59M

70. Next Generation Health Services, Gilbert, AZ
Health-care business/technology services
Matthew A. Nielsen, John Nielsen
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 50 employees
Initial investment: $15K from owners' capital investment
1997 sales: $2.36M

Listings 71-80

71. PathNet Institute, Van Nuys, CA
Cancer testing & research
Alan Kaye
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 58 employees
Initial investment: $46K from savings
1997 sales: $2.32M

72. Priority Logistic Services Inc., Columbia, TN
Transportation brokerage
Timothy Bartels
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment from friends/family, bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $2.31M

73. Crosslink Inc., Boulder, CO
Wireless data systems
Gary A. Zarlengo, Gordon E. Hardman, Michael D. Carpenter
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 39 employees
Initial investment: $12K from savings
1997 sales: $3.45M

74. Seaway Marine Inc., Toledo, OH
Boat sales & services
Chandrakumar Sinnadurai
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $50K from savings
1997 sales: $2.28M

75. Fire Sprinkler of Nashville LLC, Nashville, TN
Fire protection systems
Patrick J. Stella, Wayne Dorr
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: $250K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $3.41M

76. J.P. Rivard Trailer Sales Inc., North Chelmsford,MA
Trailer sales
Joseph P. Rivard
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 4 employees
Initial investment: $50K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.4M

77. Deron Products Int'l. Inc., Chula Vista, CA
Frozen seafood importer & equipment exporter
Geok S. Lee, Hiang J. Lee
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 3 employees
Initial investment: $150K from friends/family, priv.Investors
1997 sales: $2.23M

78. Essential Eight Communications Inc.(E8C), Oklahoma City,OK
Telecommunications equipment
LaJuana Celestine, Juana Tubbs, Linda Pinkerton, ArlenePinkerton
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 9 employees
Initial investment: $10K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.34M

79. Duggan Contracting Corp., Saint Peters, MO
Commercial contracting
Patrick Duggan
Began: 1996 w/30 employees; 40 employees
Initial investment: $150K from selling real estate assets
1997 sales: $2.22M

80. Studio Tech Supply Inc., Dallas, TX
Professional audio systems sales & services
Al Priest, Barbara Hicks-Priest
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $40K from savings
1997 sales: $3.25M

Listings 81-90

81. Bite LLC, Redmond, WA
Golf footwear
Dale Bathum
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 10 employee
Initial investment: $1.6M from friends/family, priv.Investors
1997 sales: $2.14M

82. Davocom One Inc., Miami, FL
Computer & telecommunications systems
Luis Rodriguez, Jesus Pena
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 40 employees
Initial investment: $80K from friends/family, bank loan, creditcard, savings
1997 sales: $3.18M

83. AMT Component Inc., Irvine, CA
Online computer superstore
Alex Chen, Pi Pao Chen
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $10K from friends/family
1997 sales: $2.1M

84. Broadbent Selections Inc., San Francisco, CA
Wine importer
Bartholomew Broadbent
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 4 employees
Initial investment: $200K from savings
1997 sales: $2.1M

85. ServiCentre Mortgage Inc., San Carlos, CA
Mortage brokerage
Donald R. Douglass, Robert B. Brown Jr.
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 6 employees
Initial investment: $60K from savings
1997 sales: $2.08M

86. AdComm Inc., South Hackensack, NJ
Wireless telecommunications equipment
Allen S. Cohen
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 41 employees
Initial investment: $250K from savings
1997 sales: $2.03M

87. DataChoice Network Services LLC, Littleton, CO
Telecommunications services
G. Kelley Allen
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 3 employees
Initial investment: $250K from savings
1997 sales: $1.99M

88. Texatronics Inc., Richardson, TX
Assembly of electronics
Tung Nguyen
Began: 1995 w/15 employees; 40 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $2.93M

89. Brothers Technology Inc., Miami, FL
Computer hardware & software sales
Alexi C. Daher Jr. & Marconi Naziazeni
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 4 employees
Initial investment: $18K from savings
1997 sales: $1.95M

90. Commercial Business Solutions, Durham, NC
Office automation products & services
John C. Bland
Began: 1996 w/6 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $20K from savings
1997 sales: $1.93M

Listings 91-100

91. IQuES, Northville, MI
ISO-certification training company
Robert C. Wilson
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $200K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $1.89M

92. Page One Construction Inc., Chino Valley, AZ
General contracting
Johvonn J. Zito
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $66K from savings
1997 sales: $1.89M

93. Sunlight International Inc., Miami, FL
Computer components importer
Chi-Hsun Sun
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $41.4K from savings
1997 sales: $1.89M

94. Engineous Software Inc., Morrisville, NC
Software engineering design optimization & integrationproducts
Siu S. Tong, David J. Powell
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 57 employees
Initial investment: $5M from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $2.83M

95. Illinois Process Equipment, Schaumburg, IL
Fluid-handling products distributor
Greg Rossi
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $35K from savings
1997 sales: $1.86M

96. Lighting Management Consultants Inc., Houston, TX
Lighting & electrical products & services
Timothy J. Carnes
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 48 employees
Initial investment: $54K from savings
1997 sales: $2.79M

97. Kidstuff Inc., Asheville, NC
Children's novelty items
Z. Ben Biber
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 35 employees
Initial investment: $50K from loan
1997 sales: $1.85M

98. Showcase Systems Inc., Carthage, TX
Material-handling systems in plastic bottle industry
Vincent Vernon
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $45K from savings
1997 sales: $1.83M

99. Stahla Homes Inc., Norfolk, NE
Manufactured home sales
Ray Stahla, Julie Stahla
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $15K from friends/family, bank loan
1997 sales: $2.65M

100. Top of Texas Inc., Hereford, TX
Custom feed meal equipment manufacturer
Matthew J. Collier, Kathleen J. Collier
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: None
1997 sales: $2.59M