Small can often mean difficult —something that strikes home during today’s difficult economic climate. As they start operations or expand, smaller companies have to go it alone without the deep pockets or big, comforting infrastructure that larger firms often enjoy. If an executive fails in a large company, he or she can be bumped to another job. If the head of a small company fails, it could mean that a personal livelihood, if not a personal fortune, is lost. Bosses of small businesses have to be strategic planners, master marketers, financial whizzes and human resource counselors all rolled into one.

So, it is with no small humility that we honor the 50. As usual, most of the categories are in service or technology. We give special recognition to the overall revenue growth winner and winners for highest revenue in dollar amount and in the technology, service, manufacturing, and retail and wholesale categories. To be eligible, contestants had to be privately owned and headquartered in Virginia. They needed to have had a revenue of at least $200,000 in 1996, the starting year for the contest used in establishing the company’s four-year revenue growth rate. By 1999, they had to have shown a positive net income. The accounting firm of Goodman and Company LLP conducted the review of company financial records to determine winners.

The winners will be feted at a banquet in Richmond June 5, hosted by the chamber and supported by Virginia Business, Goodman and Company, SunTrust and the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology. A reception beforehand will be sponsored by the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative and Commonwealth Personnel Consultants.

— The Editors

Return to Virginia Business - June 2001