Presented by:
The winning formula To qualify for the Roaring 20, companies were nominated and then qualified and ranked according to growth and revenue. Self-nominations were accepted. Companies had to be headquartered in Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester counties and be for-profit entities with gross revenue of more than $500,000 in each of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 fiscal years. A formula that awarded points based on dollar and percentage increases in revenue for 2008-2009 was used to level the playing field and allow for recognition of small and large companies. A special thanks to the Dixon Hughes accounting firm for tabulating, ranking and ensuring the confidentiality of financial information.
The Roaring 20 Winners: 1. Aerotek................................................... 14
11. Lindbergh & Associates LLC.................... 18
2. Levelwing................................................ 14
12. Atlas Technologies Inc............................... 18
3. Scientific Research Corp......................... 14
13. Advantage Media Group.......................... 18
4. International Public Works LLC................ 15
14. AM Conservation Group Inc..................... 19
5. Nason Medical Center............................. 15
15. Tidewater Environmental Services Inc..... 19
6. Pegasus Steel LLC................................... 16
16. Vapor Apparel.......................................... 20
7. Modus21 LLC.......................................... 16
17. Sabal Homes LLC.................................... 20
8. Chembion Environmental LLC................. 17
18. AllCare Living Services Inc...................... 21
9. avVenta Worldwide.................................. 17
19. CPI Graphics Inc...................................... 21
10. Docugraphics LLC................................... 17
20. Dunhill Staffing Systems......................... 21
Sponsored by:
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2 Levelwing
Winner 1 Aerotek Inc.
710 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 310 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 www.Levelwing.com Total number of local employees: 38 Top local executive: Steve Parker Jr., cofounder and managing partner Product or service: Data-driven marketing solutions agency Year founded locally: 2008 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 78.95% Company bio: Levelwing is a data-driven digital marketing solutions agency with offices in Charleston and New York. Founded in 2002 by Steve Parker Jr. and Jeff Adelson-Yan, Levelwing has grown from a 450-square-foot New York apartment into a multi-office agency serving global clients in the automotive, finance and banking, health care, retail and travel industries. In 2010, the agency was recognized as the 688th fastest-growing private company in America on INC. magazine’s 500/5,000 list. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “As our tagline suggests, at Levelwing we’ve focused our marketing approach on data,” said Steve Parker Jr. “That means we measure everything and can provide our clients with real, actionable intelligence that allows them to make business decisions that aren’t simply ‘faith-based.’ Our success can be attributed to not just developing and executing good marketing strategies, but in being able to use data
to provide ‘evidence-based’ results for every campaign we execute.” How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “In our industry, competition is always omnipresent,” Parker said. “That’s the industry we are in, and new competitors who have historically not been competitors are now trying to crowd in on this growing sector (technology, data and digital media). Competition, like changes in the marketplace, present new opportunities for us (e.g. down economy, ad budgets shifted into the digital space; good economy — more dollars will flow into the space). Everything we do is rooted in data and data always enlightens, validates and justifies our own and our clients’ direction. We reject faith-based initiatives and only embark on evidence-based strategies. Sound data and accurate and valid interpretation of said data is, and will always be, a competitive advantage of ours.”
3 Scientific Research Corp. 5965 Core Road, Suite 621, North Charleston, SC 29406 www.aerotek.com Total number of local employees: 32 Top local executive: Michael S. Norton, director of business operations Product or service: Technical, professional and industrial recruiting and staffing services Year founded locally: 2003
Company bio: Aerotek is a provider of technical, professional and industrial staffing services. It operates under Allegis Group Inc., the largest staffing company in the United States. Aerotek operates an international network of more than 150 non-franchised offices and 2,000 recruiters who identify, screen and select top talent. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? “We pride ourselves on providing world-class service. Being customer-focused is one of our core values and founding principles. It’s imperative we remain true to these principles despite obstacles or changes in the marketplace,” said Michael S. Norton, director of business operations. If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include in your presentation? 1. Accountability. Simply put, do what you say you are going to do. I truly believe that people perform better when they are held accountable by both their peers and themselves. 2. Vision. Make sure that you have a plan of attack and strategy to carry out that plan. 3. Empowerment. Empower people at all levels to make big decisions. Naturally, everyone wants to do well and be recognized. Give them a chance to create their own destiny. How have your management practices changed to accommodate your company’s growth? “My management practices haven’t changed much over the past few years despite our growth,” Norton said. “I’ve remained consistent with my approach of high expectations and accountability. My team is arguably one of the best around who continuously seeks out additional responsibilities to help along the way.”
1101 Remount Road, Suite 500 North Charleston, SC 29406 www.scires.com Total number of local employees: 1,050 Top local executive: James Ward, senior vice president Product or service: Engineering and technical services Year founded locally: 1992 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 43.12% Company bio: Scientific Research Corp. is an advanced engineering company founded in 1988 to provide innovative solutions to the U.S. government, private industry and international markets. SRC provides electronic and information technology systems and services for military, law enforcement, diplomatic, research and other related applications. How have you maintained your growth and success over a period of years? “Our growth and success are related to our ability to continually provide our customers with the products and services they need to accomplish their mission and support the war fighter. In addition, our agility in responding to changing requirements and our ability to recruit the best talent have been critical to our success,” said Bernie Still, director of internal operations.
If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include in your presentation? 1. Take care of your customers; help them be successful. 2. Take care of your employees; they are your greatest asset. 3. Make integrity in all activities your primary attribute. How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “We remain competitive by keeping our customers more than satisfied, continuously improving our business processes, focusing on cost effectiveness, and adapting to changes and fluctuations in our market space. We team extensively with other companies, even our competition, for specific opportunities,” Still said.
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4 International Public Works LLC
5 Nason Medical Center P.O. Box 50520, North Charleston, SC 29485 www.nasonmedical.com Total number of local employees: 140 Top local executive: Robert T. Hamilton, chairman of management board; Dr. Barron Nason, medical director Product or service: Emergency and urgent care Year founded locally: 2004 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 60.06%
P.O. Box 40968 Charleston, SC 29423 www.ipwco.com Total number of local employees: 15 Top local executives: L. Kai Yeh and Cyrus D. Sinor, member managers Product or service: General contractor, construction Year founded locally: 2002 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 49.89% Company bio: International Public Works is a multifaceted engineering and construction firm. Owned and operated by two professional engineers, IPW has completed more than $86 million in contracted services throughout the Southeast. Projects include renovations, utility work, demolition and road construction, and design-build new construction. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “Defining the customer’s expectations and exceeding them through outstanding performance,” said L. Kai Yeh, managing member. “Working as a team and combining our individual strengths and providing the client with one point of accountability. Managing our business fluidly by adapting to the conditions of the marketplace.” If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include in
your presentation? “Always be flexible and open-minded by reassessing internally and externally. Prepare for the future whether you are managing growth or contraction. Establish measurable metrics to assess business goals and objectives,” Yeh said. As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “We have modified our business to perform in the harsh reality of an economic downturn,” Yeh said. “Growth is not the goal; survival is the goal today.” How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “Changes in the marketplace have dictated the need to assess our business regularly. Reducing costs in every phase of our business and working in the most efficient manner is critical. Competition is fierce, and winning is more difficult in this market. We look to ourselves in how we can improve our productivity.”
Company bio: Nason Medical Center’s goal is for its board-certified emergency physicians to provide fast, friendly patient care and the most advanced technology to make the most accurate diagnosis possible. Its facilities can do almost everything an emergency room does, but at a lower cost. Since opening in 2004, Nason has served more than 250,000 patients. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? • Excellent patient care and customer service. • Following our four prime objectives: Be fast, be friendly, over-communicate and provide proper tools. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? • Need/demand in community. • Staying focused on core business. • Following prime objectives.
Member FDIC
• •
Staff of strong, highly qualified employees. Solid business partners.
How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “We focus on the needs of patients instead of the competition,” said Robert Hamilton, chairman of management board. How have your management practices changed to accommodate your company’s growth? • Recognize the importance of recruiting and training quality employees. • Delegate and trust in quality staff. What are your future plans for the company? • Change the way emergency and urgent care is practiced in this country. • Rapid expansion.
FirstCitizensonline.com
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6 Pegasus Steel LLC
7 Modus21 LLC 1 Alliance Drive, Goose Creek, SC 29445 www.pegasussteel.com Total number of local employees: 120 Top local executive: Tony Deering, CEO Product or service: Professional heavy steel fabrication service center Year founded locally: 2007 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 36.34%
Company bio: Pegasus Steel is a steel fabricator that specializes in the cutting and forming of sheet and heavy plate in all grades of steel, stainless and aluminum. The company was founded in 1994 by Tony Deering and Alex Russell. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “A pursuit of excellence in all that we do. Strong leadership, great employees, lean manufacturing,” said Tony Deering, CEO. If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include in your presentation? • Communicate effectively with your organization. • Set expectations, follow through and hold accountable. • Without sales there is no business.
How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “We thrive off our reputation for great quality and service. When you call our place of business, you receive a live person to speak with, and you also have 24-hour-a-day access to the CEO,” Deering said. How have your management practices changed to accommodate your company’s growth? “They haven’t. which is why we continue to grow,” he said. What are your future plans for the company? “Continue to exceed our customers’ expectations; expand and diversify into new markets,” he said.
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503 Wando Park Blvd., Suite 100 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 www.modus21.com Total number of local employees: 35 Top local executive: Peter Woodhull, president Product or service: IT consulting and business process management professional services Year founded locally: 2004 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 68.20% Company bio: Modus21 is a professional services and consulting firm that uses proven methodologies and technical expertise to assist customers with organizational improvements. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “We hire the best people we can find and treat them as well as we possibly can. We treat our clients like partners. We actively manage our growth so that we do not overextend ourselves or distract our team members,” said Peter Woodhull, president. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? “It has helped that our methodologies, expertise and approach are applicable for solving problems in any organization. This gives us the ability to work in a diverse set of commercial and public market segments, which lessens the impacts of market fluctuations,”
Woodhull said. “However, the biggest factor in our growth has actually been our dual focus on providing value to our clients and treating our team members well. We emphasize this every day and it shows in our ability to provide superior services to our clients, which in turn has resulted in significant referrals and further bolstered our growth.” If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include in your presentation? 1. How you value and treat your staff is a direct reflection on how your company does business. ... You cannot offer top quality to your customer if you do not have the best quality, committed staff. 2. Always make decisions based upon what is in the best interest of your clients. 3. Growth is a management function. You cannot grow effectively if you are not properly managing your company.
MODUS 21
named one of the 2011 Roaring 20 by the Charleston Regional Business Journal
Congratulations on this honor and thank you for letting us be a part of your success.
1067 Cliffwood Drive Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-278-1827 www.canteytechnology.com
40 Calhoun Street | Charleston, SC 29401 843-727-8450 | 843-723-7296 fax www.carolinafirst.com
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8 Chembion Environmental LLC
9 avVenta Worldwide What elements have contributed to your company’s success? With more than 750 employees worldwide, avVenta helps clients dramatically reduce their expenses for executing online marketing programs. Its model is based on blending on-shore and near-shore personnel into cohesive teams. “AvVenta supports all manner of interactive service, from website operations, content management systems, analytics and content maintenance to banner advertising, e-mail, microsites, social and mobile communication platforms,” CEO Jay Noce said.
1619 Remount Road North Charleston, SC 29406 www.chembion.com Total number of local employees: 16 Top local executive: Donna Gonzales, CEO Product or service: Environmental remediation Year founded locally: 2002 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 91.81%
Company bio: Chembion Environmental LLC is a woman-owned environmental remediation company. It specializes in asbestos, lead and mold. Donna Gonzales, CEO and founder, credits her company’s success to her core team of key personnel, who together have more than 70 years of experience. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “We have a core team of experienced, welltrained employees who approach each job individually and give personal attention to each client’s concerns,” Gonzales said. “We make it a point to exceed the expectations of our clients, do what we say we do, and stay on time and within budget.” If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include in your presentation? “Stick with what you do best. Surround your-
self with knowledgeable, well-trained people and treat them well. Be firm but caring with your clients, dealing candidly with their issues while exceeding their expectations in your work,” she said. As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “We have explored new ventures and services and new market sectors and focused on network and long-term relationships with those in related fields,” she said. How have your management practices changed to accommodate your company? “We have increased focus on defining each employee’s tasks and responsibilities to avoid micromanaging and free up time for business networking and development by our team of employees,” she said.
1150 Hungryneck Blvd., Suite C345 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 www.avVenta.com Total number of local employees: 18 Top local executive: Jay Noce, CEO Product or service: Digital production and interactive marketing services Year founded locally: 2005 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 21.37% Company bio: avVenta Worldwide is a privately held, global digital agency with offices in Charleston, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland and Jacksonville. It also has a production “center of excellence” and avVenta University in San Jose, Costa Rica. It specializes in digital production and interactive services for marketing operations and digital/ interactive marketing strategies.
As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “When the financial crisis arrived in the fall of 2008 and panic seized the market, spending levels for marketing services dropped across the board,” Noce said. “As expected, this had a damaging effect for many interactive and traditional advertising agencies. … For avVenta, the crisis had an opposite effect. In fact, it led to the next step in the company’s evolution. With marketers reeling from a struggling market and brands evaluating and re-evaluating decisions to spend, purchasing decisions came under a new level of scrutiny. ... The environment has created the perfect storm for avVenta. Where once hidden behind the curtain as a ‘best-kept secret’ for agencies, avVenta is now invited to participate in production bids and even asked to lead efficiency efforts as a direct supplier.”
10 Docugraphics LLC 2408-A Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 www.docu-graphics.com Total number of local employees: 18 Top local executive: Thomas Fimian, owner Product or service: Xerox copiers and services Year founded locally: 1983 Revenue increase 2008-2009: 22.41%
Company bio: Docugraphics is the largest Xerox sales agency in the Southeast and provides the full line of Xerox products and services. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “Listening to our customers’ needs and a consultative sales approach to their document management needs has enabled us to grow and build long-term relationships with local businesses in all industries,” said Thomas Fimian, owner. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? “Even though we grew relatively fast in the last few years, it is important to us that we have a controlled growth that keeps the whole team (our customers included) satisfied. A strong support team of Xerox-employed technicians and support personnel has guaranteed
a smooth growth without compromise or cutting corners,” he said. How have your management practices changed to accommodate your company’s growth? “Docugraphics has grown by over 250% over the last five years. It is no longer possible to take care of all the details of the business myself and I had to learn to pass responsibilities to other team members. This transformation has been an exciting and enriching experience and it has been encouraging and rewarding to see how the entire team helps to build a great organization,” Fimian said. What are your future plans for the company? “We want to continue in our growth as the premier provider of Xerox document solutions in our market,” he said.
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11 Lindbergh & Associates LLC
13 Advantage Media Group
2170 Ashley Phosphate Road, Suite 504 North Charleston, SC 29406 www.lindbergh-assoc.com Total number of local employees: 25 Top local executive: Richard Garcia, vice president Product or service: Architecture, engineering, surveying, interior design, planning, landscape architecture and construction management Year founded locally: 1982 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 27.23% Company bio: Charles Lindbergh & Associates was founded in 1982 by retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles A. Lindbergh to provide general structural engineering services. In 2003, Lindbergh & Associates was organized as a woman-owned limited liability company in the state of South Carolina. In 2005, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tony Price assumed ownership of Lindbergh & Associates LLC and the firm was transitioned to a multidiscipline architectural, engineering and surveying firm. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “We have built a team of professionals that have both private and public sector design experience. We developed a strategy that targeted public (federal, state and municipal) and private sector clients and provided them with turnkey design and construction management solutions. By providing multidiscipline design services from one office, our clients receive a
quality product, on schedule and within budget,” said Richard Garcia, vice president. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? “It all begins with our work force. It is important that we show our employees they are valued and respected by supporting them professionally through a program that rewards their achievement and a support system that helps them grow personally. Our ability to maintain growth is directly related to diversifying our market sectors, retaining experienced staff, closely monitoring our workload and providing a quality product to our clients. We have formed alliances and partnered with other reputable architectural and engineering firms when the client’s needs required greater depth than what we are able to offer. We also demonstrate that we are customer-focused.”
P.O. Box 272, Charleston, SC 29402 www.advantagefamily.com Total number of local employees: 10 Top local executive: Adam Witty, CEO Product or service: Publishing, marketing, video production and online education Year founded locally: 2005 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 32.67%
Company bio: Advantage Media Group specializes in book and magazine publishing, television and video production, and online education. It draws upon the strengths of its team to lead with innovation and help clients grow their businesses. As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “We believe that diversity leads to stability. As our client list has grown, so too have their needs,” CEO Adam Witty said. “We stretch our imaginations and resources to be the best total solutions provider possible. We have grown from a book publishing company to a multitiered media and marketing provider. Our published authors are always seeking new avenues to expand their messages, and we stepped up to deliver. Last year alone, we built a state-of-the-art video studio to launch our Internet TV initiative and acquired a distance learning facilitator so that our clients have a broader reach.”
How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “Things are changing daily in the publishing business,” Witty said. “The dramatic shift from print to digital is a factor that we indentified immediately. We realized from the very beginning that every client must publish a book in both physical and digital formats. … When sitting across the table from a prospect, your physical book is much more impressive than a digital book. Because of that, we have built a fortress around print for our customers.”
12 Atlas Technologies Inc. 5416A Rivers Ave., Suite 105 North Charleston, SC 29406 www.atlas-tech.com Total number of local employees: 50 Top local executive: Brian M. Miller, president Product or service: Information technology Year founded locally: 1997 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 20.55%
Company bio: Atlas Technologies Inc. provides on-site engineering, research and development, as well as software development for complex networking systems. It uses the latest technology for Internet protocol data transfer and network management for its customers, which include government and industry clients. Employees of Atlas Technologies Inc. are skilled in legacy military systems as well as leading edge technologies. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “The critical success factors for Atlas Technologies Inc. are clear: technically leading-edge professional staff; professional management; quality in products and services; continuous introduction of new processes and innovations,” said Brian Miller, president. How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “Quality. All of our delivered products and ser-
vices must be of constantly improving quality in content, delivery and client understanding,” Miller said. “New products and services. We must constantly innovate to stay abreast of the continuously evolving technology market and to apply emerging new technologies to address our client challenges in new and innovative ways,” he said. What are your future plans for the company? “Our goal is to be a premier information technology company with a software division that develops a market leading line of network management products,” Miller said. “With existing and extended information technology services to the government, the company is planning for 15% to 20% revenue growth per year.”
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14 AM Conservation Group Inc. 2301 Charleston Regional Parkway Charleston, SC 29492 www.amconservationgroup.com Total number of local employees: 24 Top local executive: Paul Cutler, CEO Product or service: Energy and water conservation products, kits and services Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 11.39%
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Company bio:AM Conservation Group’s focus is on energy efficiency and water conservation. Its online store includes a comprehensive selection of products that save energy and water, and its services include the design and delivery of custom, turnkey conservation programs. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? “Maintaining growth and success requires steadfast commitment, a lot of hard work, strategy, teamwork, innovation, focus, determination, change, proper allocation of resources and investment, but most importantly never forgetting the value of a satisfied client or your staff,� said Paul Cutler, CEO. If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what advice would you offer? “Success in business is like a recipe. I recall
someone with success far beyond my own saying, ‘If you can’t be No. 1 in your field get out,’� Cutler said. “If everyone followed that advice, we wouldn’t have Pepsi, Ford or AM Conservation Group Inc. While size does matter, success can be measured in many ways. Being successful isn’t always about being the biggest or being No. 1. Whatever your size business, as a rule, it’s usually better to lead than follow.� How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “In differentiating oneself from competitors who may be hell-bent on sinking you by selling on price alone, it is equally important to bring other value to the table. We pride ourselves on providing a level or service, selection, expertise and support our competition is unwilling or unable to provide,� Cutler said.
15 Tidewater Environmental Services Inc. P.O. Box 865, Johns Island, SC 29457 www.tidewaterenvironmental.com Total number of local employees: 5 Top local executive: Ross Nelson, president Product or service: Environmental consulting and engineering services Year founded locally: 2004 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 28.44%
Company bio: Tidewater Environmental Services Inc. is a natural resources and environmental engineering consulting firm specializing in environmental regulation compliance and natural resources restoration. It has offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Atlanta that provide services to public and privatesector clients. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over the years? “Since our inception, we have also continued to grow our expertise by adding additional services and by increasing our competencies in our current service offerings,� said Ross Nelson, president. “We have focused on developing clients in various sectors (private clients and local, state and federal governments) to shield our company from economic downturns. We have constantly reinvested revenues to fund our growth and marketing efforts in order to diversify our client base and allow us to continue growing during an economic
downturn. We have also hired key employees that have complemented and expanded our services and clientele.� As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “We initially intended to operate out of one location. However, we have seen the advantage of having employees located in various locations to provide a local presence to our clients,� Nelson said. What are your plans for the company? “Tidewater personnel believe that being responsive to client needs and providing the most experienced and highest quality consulting services are the keys to the company’s success,� Nelson said. “The corporate vision of Tidewater is to be the leading consulting and engineering firm in the Southeast for environmental regulation compliance and natural resources restoration,� he said.
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16 Vapor Apparel
2120 Noisette Blvd., Suite 109 NorthCharleston, SC 29405 www.vaporapparel.com Total number of local employees: 20 Top local executives: Jackson Burnett IV, co-founder and president; Christopher Bernat, co-founder and chief revenue officer Product or service: Customized and sustainable performance apparel manufacturing Year founded locally: 2004 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 20.34% Company bio: Vapor Apparel makes performance apparel engineered for digital print applications. They specialize in mass-customized print programs and partner with brands, retailers and organizations to enhance the value of their apparel and increase its positive impact on branding. Vapor Apparel’s products are distributed in North America, Australia and Europe. Its LEED-certified headquarters is located in North Charleston. How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over the years?
17 Sabal Homes LLC 401 Seacoast Parkway, Suite H Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 www.SabalHomesSC.com Total number of local employees: 10 Top local executives: Matt Jones, Jason Simpson, Todd Ussery, managing members Product or service: Homebuilder Year founded locally: 2005 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 7.45%
“We have built a company that focuses on customer service and adding value to each aspect part of the process. We have a high quality product with a reputation for innovation. We are experts in our area and recognized as such by our industry,” said co-founders Jackson Burnett and Christopher Bernat. As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “We are much more involved in digital print technologies vs. the original plan. That has proven to be an outstanding decision that has enhanced revenue diversity and security,” Burnett and Bernat said. How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “We are in a large market,” Burnett and Bernat said. “We are focused on providing a unique set of value points, which few people have. That limits true competition and increases your reputation for vertical expertise. We also explore new markets to find the best opportunities while minimizing the investments required.” What are your plans for the company? “ ... To maximize efficiencies and round out our product offering. We see tremendous opportunity in the ‘water, boat, surf and sun’ market for our products and are actively exploring opportunities there.”
Company bio: Sabal Homes offers the combined expertise of three Carolina natives: Matt Jones, Jason Simpson and Todd Ussery. This team of homebuilders has extensive experience in land acquisition, product development, construction and customer service. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “When we started the company, there were several core values that were established by the founders that would serve as the basis upon which we would build the business,” said Jason Simpson, managing member. “Hiring a team that shared these core values, and likewise conducting business based on these principles, has been a key to our success. For example, we don’t just talk about customer service; it is a daily discipline with each team member. We treat each customer as though their home is the only home we are building. “Another element ... is the painstaking process our team goes through in designing the homes
we build,” Simpson said. “Our home designs are based upon years of research and feedback from our customers. ... Our homes are designed based on our extensive knowledge of the Lowcountry and today’s buyers. Our streetscapes accentuate Lowcountry living and the floor plans themselves are designed so that every last detail has been carefully thought out.” What are your plans for the company? “Stay focused on serving only the Charleston market. We’ve found that while geographic expansion is attractive to add new business, it’s much more difficult to manage if we can’t be on a job site within a 30-minute drive. We don’t have aspirations of purchasing a company airplane and we still want to know our customers’ names,” said Matt Jones, managing member.
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for being named as one of the 2011 Roaring 20 by the Charleston Regional Business Journal
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www.sbvllc.net
497 Bramson Court, Suite 201 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464-5224 Telephone (843) 388-8883 Facsimile (843) 388-8884
114 West Doty Avenue Summerville, SC 29483-6006 Telephone (843) 821-8818 Facsimile (843) 821-8843
www.hcvlaw.com
March 14 - 27, 2011
www.charlestonbusiness.com 21
18 AllCare Living Services Inc.
19 CPI Graphics Inc.
1675 N. Main St., Summerville, SC 29483 www.allcarelivingservices.com Total number of local employees: 100 Top local executive: Kelly P. Williams, president Product or service: Private duty in-home care Year founded locally: 1998 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 14.43%
Company bio: AllCare provides in-home care to seniors and people with disabilities who need assistance with daily activities. This can include help with personal care, such as bathing and dressing; medication reminders; meal preparation; transportation and light housekeeping. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “Many things have contributed to our continued success, but I believe the most important piece would be the incredible team of managers, office personnel, nurses and caregivers,� said Kelly P. Williams, president. “They are the ones providing the exceptional and compassionate care every day.� How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over a period of years? “We have always prided ourselves on providing the highest quality of care to our clients.
We have an extensive hiring process for our caregivers and employ only the best of the best. Our primary focus has always been putting the client’s needs first and helping them maintain independent, healthy lifestyles in the comfort on their own home,� Williams said.
672 Marina Drive, Charleston, SC 29492 www.cpigraphics.com Total number of local employees: 5 Top local executive: Karen Griffin, CEO Product or service: Promotional products, branded apparel, business forms printing, tags, labels, client Web store hosting, signage Year founded locally: 1980 Revenue increase from 2008-2009: 13.47% Company bio: CPI Graphics Inc. is a Charleston based, value-added distributor of branded print and promotional products. It helps companies of all sizes meet their marketing and promotional goals.
How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “We have a very healthy respect for our competitors; that’s what allows the ‘cream to rise to the top.’ Competition ensures that businesses are always striving to improve, thus resulting in better services and quality of care for our clients,� Williams said.
How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over the years? “Basic blocking and tackling — find customers passionate about success, find customers that consistently want to promote their name and morale, and find customers that agree you have to make a profit to stay in business; then service those customers well beyond their expectations,� CEO Karen Griffin said.
What are your future plans for the company? “Our short-term plans are to continue to expand our services area,� Williams said. “We have recently opened a second location on James Island and hope to open our third location in Walterboro very soon.�
If you were leading a seminar for business owners or managers, what three pieces of advice would you include? 1. The talent of your team will make or break you — invest in your people. 2. Relentlessly seek out customers that believe in quality — not bargain pricing.
3. Continually collaborate with your customers to understand and help meet their objectives so you always deliver excellence, not just ‘OK.’ How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “Competition is here to make us better and to improve value to the customer. We intend to lead in both categories,� Griffin said. How have your management practices changed to accommodate your growth? “We began as a two-person operation, handling everything from wedding invitations to complex marketing brochures, to customer and supplier development, to bookkeeping and creative. We evolved to three, four and now five, with incremental steps of specialization as we grew. ... We have morphed into a teambased company to meet the demands of our customers,� Griffin said.
20 Dunhill Staffing Systems 1459 Stuart Engals Blvd., Suite 300 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 www.dunhillstaff.com Total number of local employees: 5, plus contract employees Top local executive: Neil Whitman, owner Product or service: Temp, temp-to-hire and direct-hire recruiting Year founded locally: 2001 Revenue increase 2008-2009: 6.45%
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Company bio: Dunhill Staffing Systems began serving Charleston in 2001 when Neil Whitman purchased a franchise office from the national chain. In 2005, Dunhill began partnering with the region’s new aircraft cluster and has since served other clusters. In 2010, the company purchased exclusive rights to the Dunhill brand and is planning to license this 50-year-old name to potential entrepreneurs. What elements have contributed to your company’s success? “The ability to change direction quickly in the volatile economy of the past few years,� Whitman said. “We began as a permanent placement agency and added temp to our service mix. We’ve also successfully served multiple industrial clusters including government, aircraft, electronics and professional services companies. Finally, active engagement in the community through volunteer organizations, such at the Charleston Metro Chamber, have paid off.�
How have you been able to maintain your growth and success over the years? “We continue to meet the needs of our clients on a daily basis. Our staff has remained relatively stable over the years, so our customers know who they’re dealing with,� he said. As your company has grown, how has your business or strategic plan changed? “We’ve had to become much more flexible in meeting our customers’ many needs. We’ve also grown our technology to include a blog, newsletter for regular communication, and added an online application process,� he said. How do you approach competition or changes in the marketplace? “We try to beat them by reacting quickly to our customers’ needs, whatever they might be. We continuously hear that the candidates we present are well matched to the clients’ needs,� he said.
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www.charlestonbusiness.com
March 14 - 27, 2011
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