Forbes Little Giants: The best small businesses of 2019

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^Wthe hen is bigger not better When you value size compared to fast growth. These 25 companies all belong to private interests and are private companies. They share the same commitment: to be the best in what they do, to provide excellent service to customers, to provide employees with fulfilling, rewarding work, and to be essential members of their communities. They include a leading website offering practical advice, an oil processing company in Texas, a nascent chain of "hyperlocal" newspapers, and a gaming company that has created an international community of more than 200 million players. Read and be inspired.

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Advoco

Greenville, South Carolina

FOUNDERS: Steve Brindle and Paul Cowley

REVENUES 2018: $ 13 million

EMPLOYEES: 67

Advoco, which tracks equipment such as PepsiCo and Starbucks, asks each new employee to promise to be courageous, determined, innovative, honest, confident and competent. "If we do not challenge our employees to live these values, we will only become a consulting firm," said President Marty Osborn. They also appreciate the fitness challenges that raise funds for charity, annual wine tours in Sonoma and paid trips for the entire society to vacation together. Company Profile

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Arkadium

New York City

FOUNDERS: Jessica Rovello (CEO) and Kenny Rosenblatt

REVENUES 2018: $ 15 million

EMPLOYEES: 89

In 2001, Jessica Rovello and Kenny Rosenblatt founded Arkadium, an interactive content creator for digital publishers, and quickly acquired a gambling studio in Crimea, where costs are low. During the invasion of Russia in 2014, the studio and all participants settled in a nearby Russian city. "It's not often that companies have to move all their staff from one country to another," says Rovello, but "our employees are not a crazy cog." Company Profile

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CHIEF OUTSIDERS

Houston

FOUNDER: Art Saxby (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 13.1 million

EMPLOYEES: 70

Chief Outsiders 'network of 65 secondment marketing managers supports as many projects as they want and retains between 50% and 85% of their clients' salaries, giving them flexibility and control over their jobs. They also benefit from a long-term incentive plan allowing them to earn equity. The company could still expand by offering CFO, CIO or CTO services, but managing director Art Saxby refused: "We have decided to stay focused on what we know best and where we think we can offer the greatest value. " Company Profile

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ONE ENGINEERING CHOICE

Sidney, Ohio

FOUNDER: Tony Schroeder

REVENUES 2018: $ 7.7 million

EMPLOYEES: 45

The company's president, Matt Hoying, refused a million-dollar deal with an Ohio city in a civil engineering company, in part because his employees would have lost control of their work. . It allows everyone, even part-time, to own shares. "We could go back and be a $ 5 million company while maintaining our success, as long as we are true to our purpose, our vision and our mission," he said. Company Profile

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COMMUNITY IMPACT JOURNAL

Pflugerville, Texas

FOUNDERS: John (CEO) and Jennifer Garrett

REVENUES 2018: $ 27 million

EMPLOYEES: 220

In 2005, John and Jennifer Garrett created a newspaper at home in Texas. Today, they publish 30 editions in 50 small communities of Arizona in Tennessee. Articles contain hyperlocal items and advertisers find them better able to reach customers than online alternatives. The company has been so successful that the Garrett have opened their own factory, which not only prints newspapers, but also deals with all kinds of work for other clients. On the front, a sign reads: "Print Is not Dead." Company Profile

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EVERGREEN

Phoenix

FOUNDERS: Bruce Pomeroy and Andrew Skipper (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: 100 million dollars

EMPLOYEES: 54

Whenever real estate developer Evergreen invests in a new project, every employee can also invest. Some staff members can retire as millionaires through this policy. It is therefore not surprising that almost a third of the workforce has been there for more than 10 years. They also benefit from profit sharing and annual trips abroad to support struggling communities. "We want to leverage the benefits of a long-term business and not take short-term profits," said Andrew Skipper. Company Profile

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FBS DATA SYSTEMS

Fargo, North Dakota

FOUNDER: Paul Wurzer

REVENUES 2018: $ 20 million

EMPLOYEES: 110

Paul Wurzer launched his business, which provides support technology for real estate transactions, in 1978. When he went on the Web, he left the reins to his son, Michael, to oversee the transition. Michael decided to emulate the partnership established in the law firm where he had worked. In 2005, he launched an employee share ownership program. "We grew much faster and better than if the employees had not been invested," he says. Company Profile

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MANUFACTURE OF FILTRINE

Keene, New Hampshire

FOUNDER: George Kneuper

REVENUES 2018: $ 17.7 million

EMPLOYEES: 95

Filtrine was born in 1901 in the garage of a Brooklyn inventor. The family of President Peter Hansel has been operating it since 1918. It manufactures custom water supply systems, such as a chiller, to cool a Boeing rocket and Varian medical radiation device components. The company's commitment to manufacturing its products in the United States and avoiding mass production has led to higher prices and costs for major customers such as Coca-Cola and GE. "Perhaps we are stupid in this respect," says Hansel, "but my family and I have never wanted to sacrifice quality to go to work." Company Profile

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GREAT LAKES PRODUCTION COMPANY

Cleveland

FOUNDERS: Pat and Dan Conway

REVENUES 2018: $ 45 million

EMPLOYEES: 233

Last year, at the Great Lakes Off-Site Annual Summit, his two founders told all employees, "Everyone wins, so get in line to get your prize back." The price: a new employee ownership program. "What moment it was," said then CEO Bill Boor. "There were hugs and tears and high fives." Ohio's first artisanal brewery lake, Great Lakes is known for its environmental initiatives, recycling more than 70% of its waste. Company Profile

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HARVEST GROUP

Rogers, Arkansas

FOUNDERS: Ross Cully (CEO), William Waitsman and Dan Arnsberger

REVENUES 2018: $ 15 million

EMPLOYEES: 85

CEO Ross Cully worked for Procter & amp; Gamble team at Walmart before leaving with two colleagues to start their own business, managing small brand relationships with major retailers. "It's more fun to know people," he says, and his interest in customer service is reflected in the internal benefits. Employees receive four weeks of paid leave early, matching charitable donations and profit sharing. "People tell me," My life is different, the benefits, the opportunities for my family, "Cully said. Company Profile

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HENDERSON

Houston

FOUNDER: Dan Henderson (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 45 million

EMPLOYEES: 175

Early on, some of his oil mates found Dan Henderson quite distant when he talked about running a "values-based" company with a culture based on "integrity, truth and transparency" but his business, which has been in existence for 13 years, has flourished. In 2017, it acquired a drilling company and became a full-fledged repackaging and repair company. "We are in the process of changing the definition of what a customer relationship is to an excellent service provider," said Jim Lank, president of the company. Company Profile

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INSPIRA MARKETING

Norwalk, Connecticut

FOUNDER: Jeff Snyder

REVENUES 2018: $ 71 million

EMPLOYEES: 300

Jeff Snyder's agency creates marketing stunts like a recent virtual Jeep ride at the Aspen Winter X Games, which he calls "an immersive 4-D experience". It also makes the corporate culture immersive, starting each year with a team retreat in a complex like Mohonk Mountain House and taking staff to Mexico or Jamaica as a reward for meeting its revenue goals. . "If we can make people happy and passionate about work, it will translate into the product," he says. Each year, the company holds a contest in which employees present non-profit causes to management. "The big winner gets all the attention of his agency, with a series of events and fundraisers." Company Profile

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INTERWORKS

Stillwater, Oklahoma

FOUNDER: Behfar Jahanshahi (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 57 million

EMPLOYEES: 171

Last year, the turnover of this computer and data consulting firm jumped 39%, but Behfar Jahanshahi keeps control of growth. He abandoned a large social media account that was too hard for his people and gave up hard-to-manage customers. He has also refused many potential investors since its launch in 1996. "I want to be surrounded by people I can consider as friends," he said. Company Profile

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LIFE"S ABONDANCE

Jupiter, Florida

FOUNDERS: Dennis and Carol Berardi

REVENUES 2018: $ 38 million

EMPLOYEES: 51

Life's Abundance has been manufacturing and selling healthy pet foods since 1999, and no products have been recalled, a record that makes Trinidad's CEO, Lester Thornhill, proud. It relies on customers to market its products, as in multi-level marketing, but with one crucial difference: there are no quotas and no one has to. buy or sell anything. This not only means a lot of loyal customers, but also allows the company to keep its products out of big box stores and Amazon, which is a matter of principle, according to Thornhill, allowing Life's Abundance manufacture in small quantities and guarantee freshness and quality. Company Profile

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LIVE DATA

Cambridge, Massachusetts

FOUNDER: Jeff Robbins (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 4 million

EMPLOYEES: 27

LiveData has been around for 22 years when Jeff Robbins' son died in 2013, and he changed the company's focus on health care because he wanted to create "something meaningful," he says. The company is now focusing on operating room software and has entered into a partnership with Salesforce as well as a contract to provide Australian hospitals. Robbins wants his employees, who all have stock options for business, to participate in the success of LiveData, and he has avoided accepting any venture capital. Company Profile

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Outdoor pride

Manchester, New Hampshire

FOUNDERS: Michael and Dale Aquilino (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 10 million

EMPLOYEES: 72 full-time, 250 seasonal

The Aquilinos founded their landscaping and snow removal business in 1988 and entrusted them to their son Mark in 2015. Mark decided to focus on improving relationships between his employees and their job. The annual retention of employees has thus increased from 45% to 85%. "We really like using Outdoor Pride as a way to motivate others to give back," he said, and he launched the Aquilino Foundation this year to support projects such as a literacy program. local. The company has also invested in environmental protection by adopting a brine solution for snow removal to reduce salt consumption. "At the end of the day, we are the stewards of the Earth," said Mark Aquilino. Company Profile

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PFSBRANDS

Holts Summit, Missouri

FOUNDERS: Shawn (CEO) and Julie Burcham

REVENUES 2018: $ 64 million

EMPLOYEES: 144

Shawn Burcham, 48, regrets that he has not started reading books before the age of 40. He is now asking the senior management of his catering company to read at least 12 times a year. In 2011, inspired by The Great Game of Business, he adopted an open management model. After reading Good to Great, he restructured and made sure he had "the right people on the bus". He also attributes to his staff rewards for his "spirit of ownership" and helping others succeed. Company Profile

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RESCUE AGENCY

San Diego

FOUNDER: Jeffrey Jordan

REVENUES 2018: $ 68 million

EMPLOYEES: 180

The marketing company Rescue Agency has developed a unique way to spread its public health messages. He studies the group he targets and defines the people who can best express his values and priorities. Drag queens delivers their anti-smoking speech to the LGBTQ community and the rapper's star in videos aimed at teenagers. Rescue's clients include the FDA and local and state health agencies. "The people who see our ads are seen in them," said founder Jeffrey Jordan. Company Profile

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SOLUGENIX

Brea, California

FOUNDER: T. Russell Shields

REVENUES 2018: $ 30.5 million

EMPLOYEES: 454

The technology designed by Solugenix was designed for fast-food deliveries, mobile phone billing, etc., and is based on a "no bureaucracy, no drama" model, said CEO Shashi Jasthi. Last year, the company was about to acquire a computer consulting firm, but "we realized that their company had a culture that focused on dog behavior and sales at all costs," Jasthi recalls. . "Then we had to unplug." Company Profile

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SPIKEBALL

Chicago

FOUNDER: Chris Ruder (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 19 million

EMPLOYEES: 23

Chris Ruder fell in love with Roundnet, an obscure volleyball-inspired sport with a net that looks like a trampoline. Then, in 2008, he raised $ 100,000 from his family and friends to set up an equipment manufacturing business. At first, he sent a personal note to each client. In response, parents responded about their children's passion for the game. Soldiers in Afghanistan sent him pictures of the war zone. Shortly after, he watched tournaments around the world and created an international Spikeball association. All this had big commercial benefits. "We should not ask anyone to promote Spikeball," he says. "They just do it themselves." And now, this sport has millions of enthusiasts around the world. Company Profile

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THE INDIGO ROAD

Charleston, South Carolina

FOUNDERS: Mickey Baskt and Steve Palmer

REVENUES 2018: $ 50 million

EMPLOYEES: 960

Steve Palmer started his group of 20 restaurants in the Southeast ten years ago and, after his successful fifth opening, he began to worry about how to ensure growth in an area to strong failure. "I wanted my management team to explore the issue of better people identification," he said. The company is now looking for new recruits with dynamism, work ethic, curiosity and a spirit of collaboration. He believes that it is crucial to break the traditional culture of restaurants to work hard and party. In 2017, he contributed to the launch of Ben & # 39; s Friends, which hosts addiction support groups for restaurant workers: "We spend every night taking care of our customers," he said. . . "We are figuring out how to take care of one another." Company Profile

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VENTURITY FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Addison, Texas

FOUNDER: Chris McKee (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 5.4 million

EMPLOYEES: 41

In 2016, Venturity was already larger than most accounting firms serving small businesses, but that did not yield enough to invest in the solid growth Chris McKee deemed essential. He found the answer in an open book management system developed by SRC Holdings – a small giant in Forbes 2017. Since then, Venturity has increased margins and doubled pre-tax net income while reducing by 30% lost customers. Company Profile

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PRIVATE WEALTH WALDRON

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

FOUNDER: John Waldron (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 16 million

EMPLOYEES: 50

John Waldron opened his business in 1995 with the idea that global wealth management should not be limited to an investment strategy, so it advises on trusts and estates, business assets and other concerns. The group now has 175 customers and $ 2 billion in assets under management – and refuses customers for whom Waldron believes they are not "a good choice". He says that he never wants the company to be acquired: "As an independent business, we only have to serve our customers." Company Profile

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WEBIT SERVICES

Naperville, Illinois

FOUNDER: Eric Rieger (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 2.65 million

EMPLOYEES: 17

Eric Rieger claims to receive from his IT service provider five or six steps a week from prospective buyers or investors, but the company is not for sale and is growing already as fast as he wants. However, he has in mind a future buyer: his employees, provided that the company reaches certain goals by 2021. In 2016, he opened the books for them. "It changed the culture and produced a much more engaged team," he says. Company Profile

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wikiHow

Palo Alto, California

FOUNDER: Jack Herrick

REVENUES 2018: $ 5 million

EMPLOYEES: 25

Men can dominate the upper echelons in most companies in Silicon Valley, but the CEO of wikiHow is an engineer named Elizabeth Douglas, and 55% of the staff is female. The common goal of creating the world's largest and best practical information website – now 180,000 articles – has guided all major decisions of society, from the rejection of venture capital investments to the withdrawal of tempting buying offers from big companies. When is it bigger, not better? When you value size in relation to rapid growth. These 25 companies all belong to private interests and are private companies. They share the same commitment: to be the best in what they do, to provide excellent service to customers, to provide employees with fulfilling, rewarding work, and to be essential members of their communities. They include a leading website offering practical advice, an oil processing company in Texas, a nascent chain of "hyperlocal" newspapers and a gaming company that has generated an international community of more than 200 million players. Read and be inspired. Company Profile

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Report by Elisabeth Brier, Bo Burlingham, Tanya Klich, Christian Kreznar, Monica Melton, Karsten Strauss and Samantha Todd.

Pictures of Aaron Kotowski for Forbes

^Wthe hen is bigger, not better? When you value size in relation to rapid growth. These 25 companies all belong to private interests and are private companies. They share the same commitment: to be the best in what they do, to provide excellent service to customers, to provide employees with fulfilling, rewarding work, and to be essential members of their communities. They include a leading website offering practical advice, an oil processing company in Texas, a nascent chain of "hyperlocal" newspapers, and a gaming company that has created an international community of more than 200 million players. Read and be inspired.

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Advoco

Greenville, South Carolina

FOUNDERS: Steve Brindle and Paul Cowley

REVENUES 2018: $ 13 million

EMPLOYEES: 67

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Arkadium

New York City

FOUNDERS: Jessica Rovello (CEO) and Kenny Rosenblatt

REVENUES 2018: $ 15 million

EMPLOYEES: 89

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CHIEF OUTSIDERS

Houston

FOUNDER: Art Saxby (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 13.1 million

EMPLOYEES: 70

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ONE ENGINEERING CHOICE

Sidney, Ohio

FOUNDER: Tony Schroeder

REVENUES 2018: $ 7.7 million

EMPLOYEES: 45

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COMMUNITY IMPACT JOURNAL

Pflugerville, Texas

FOUNDERS: John (CEO) and Jennifer Garrett

REVENUES 2018: $ 27 million

EMPLOYEES: 220

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EVERGREEN

Phoenix

FOUNDERS: Bruce Pomeroy and Andrew Skipper (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: 100 million dollars

EMPLOYEES: 54

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FBS DATA SYSTEMS

Fargo, North Dakota

FOUNDER: Paul Wurzer

REVENUES 2018: $ 20 million

EMPLOYEES: 110

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MANUFACTURE OF FILTRINE

Keene, New Hampshire

FOUNDER: George Kneuper

REVENUES 2018: $ 17.7 million

EMPLOYEES: 95

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GREAT LAKES PRODUCTION COMPANY

Cleveland

FOUNDERS: Pat and Dan Conway

REVENUES 2018: $ 45 million

EMPLOYEES: 233

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HARVEST GROUP

Rogers, Arkansas

FOUNDERS: Ross Cully (CEO), William Waitsman and Dan Arnsberger

REVENUES 2018: $ 15 million

EMPLOYEES: 85

Chief Executive Ross Cully worked for Procter & Gamble's Walmart team before he and two colleagues left to start their own business, managing small brand relationships with major retailers. "It's more fun to know people," he says, and his interest in customer service is reflected in the internal benefits. Employees receive four weeks of paid leave early, matching charitable donations and profit sharing. "People tell me," My life is different, the benefits, the opportunities for my family, "said Cully.

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HENDERSON

Houston

FOUNDER: Dan Henderson (CEO)

REVENUES 2018: $ 45 million

EMPLOYEES: 175

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INSPIRA MARKETING

Norwalk, Connecticut

FOUNDER: Jeff Snyder

REVENUES 2018: $ 71 million

EMPLOYEES: 300

Jeff Snyder's agency creates marketing stunts like a recent virtual Jeep ride at the Aspen Winter X Games, which he calls "an immersive 4-D experience". It also makes the corporate culture immersive, starting each year with a team retreat in a complex like Mohonk Mountain House and taking staff to Mexico or Jamaica as a reward for meeting its revenue goals. . "Si nous pouvons rendre les gens heureux et passionnés par le travail, cela se traduira par le produit", dit-il. Chaque année, la société organise un concours dans lequel les employés présentent des causes sans but lucratif à la direction. "Le grand gagnant reçoit toute l'attention de son agence, avec une série d'événements et de levées de fonds." Profil de la société

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INTERWORKS

Stillwater, dans l'Oklahoma

FONDATEUR: Behfar Jahanshahi (PDG)

REVENUS 2018: 57 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 171

L’année dernière, le chiffre d’affaires de ce cabinet de conseil en informatique et en données a bondi de 39%, mais Behfar Jahanshahi garde le contrôle de la croissance. Il a abandonné un grand compte de média social trop dur pour son peuple et a abandonné des clients difficiles à gérer. Il a également refusé de nombreux investisseurs potentiels depuis son lancement en 1996. "Je veux être entouré de gens que je peux considérer comme des amis", a-t-il déclaré. Profil de la société

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LA VIE"S ABONDANCE

Jupiter, Floride

FONDATEURS: Dennis et Carol Berardi

REVENUS 2018: 38 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 51

Life’s Abundance fabrique et vend des aliments sains pour animaux de compagnie depuis 1999, et aucun produit n’a été rappelé, un record qui rend fier le PDG, Lester Thornhill, originaire de Trinidad. Elle s'appuie sur les clients pour commercialiser ses produits, comme dans le marketing multi-niveaux, mais avec une différence cruciale: il n'y a pas de quotas et personne n'est obligé d'acheter ou de vendre quoi que ce soit. Cela signifie non seulement un grand nombre de clients fidèles, mais permet également à l'entreprise de garder ses produits hors des magasins à grande surface et d'Amazon, ce qui est une question de principe, selon Thornhill, permettant à Life's Abundance de fabriquer en petites quantités et de garantir fraîcheur et qualité. Profil de la société

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DONNÉES EN DIRECT

Cambridge, Massachusetts

FONDATEUR: Jeff Robbins (PDG)

REVENUS 2018: $ 4 million

EMPLOYÉS: 27

LiveData existe depuis 22 ans lorsque le fils de Jeff Robbins est décédé, en 2013, et il a modifié l'orientation de la société sur les soins de santé, car il souhaitait créer «quelque chose de significatif», dit-il. L'entreprise se concentre désormais sur les logiciels de bloc opératoire et a conclu un partenariat avec Salesforce ainsi qu'un contrat visant à fournir des hôpitaux australiens. Robbins souhaite que ses employés, qui possèdent tous des stocks options d’entreprise, participent au succès de LiveData, et il a évité d’accepter tout capital-risque. Profil de la société

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Fierté extérieure

Manchester, New Hampshire

FONDATEURS: Michael et Dale Aquilino (PDG)

REVENUS 2018: 10 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 72 à temps plein, 250 saisonniers

Les Aquilinos ont fondé leur entreprise d'aménagement paysager et de déneigement en 1988 et l'ont confiée à leur fils Mark en 2015. Mark a décidé de se concentrer sur l'amélioration des relations entre ses employés et leur travail. La rétention annuelle des employés a ainsi augmenté de 45% à 85%. "Nous aimons vraiment utiliser Outdoor Pride comme un moyen de motiver les autres à redonner", a-t-il déclaré, et il a lancé la Fondation Aquilino cette année pour soutenir des projets tels qu'un programme d'alphabétisation local. La société a également investi dans la protection de l'environnement en adoptant une solution de saumure pour le déneigement afin de réduire la consommation de sel. "En fin de journée, nous sommes les intendants de la Terre", a déclaré Mark Aquilino. Profil de la société

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PFSBRANDS

Holts Summit, Missouri

FONDATEURS: Shawn (PDG) et Julie Burcham

REVENUS 2018: 64 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 144

Shawn Burcham, 48 ans, regrette de n'avoir pas commencé à lire des livres avant l'âge de 40 ans. Il demande maintenant à la haute direction de son entreprise de restauration de lire au moins 12 fois par an. En 2011, inspiré par The Great Game of Business, il adopte un modèle de gestion ouverte. Après avoir lu Good to Great, il s'est restructuré et s'est assuré qu'il avait "les bonnes personnes dans le bus". Il attribue également à son personnel des récompenses pour son "esprit de propriété" et pour aider les autres à réussir. Profil de la société

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AGENCE DE SAUVETAGE

San Diego

FONDATEUR: Jeffrey Jordan

REVENUS 2018: 68 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 180

La société de marketing Rescue Agency a mis au point un moyen unique de diffuser ses messages de santé publique. Il étudie le groupe qu’il cible et définit les personnes qui peuvent le mieux exprimer ses valeurs et ses priorités. Les Drag queens livrent leur discours anti-tabac à la communauté LGBTQ et la star du rappeur dans des vidéos destinées aux adolescents. Les clients de Rescue comprennent la FDA et les agences de santé locales et de l’État. «Les personnes qui voient nos publicités se voient en elles», a déclaré le fondateur, Jeffrey Jordan. Profil de la société

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SOLUGENIX

Brea, Californie

FONDATEUR: T. Russell Shields

REVENUS 2018: 30,5 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 454

La technologie conçue par Solugenix a été conçue pour les livraisons au fast-food, la facturation des téléphones portables, etc., et repose sur un modèle «pas de bureaucratie, pas de drame», a déclaré le PDG Shashi Jasthi. L’année dernière, la société était sur le point d’acquérir un cabinet de conseil en informatique, mais "nous avons réalisé que leur société avait une culture très axée sur le comportement des chiens et la vente à tout prix", se souvient Jasthi. "Alors nous avons dû débrancher." Profil de la société

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SPIKEBALL

Chicago

FONDATEUR: Chris Ruder (PDG)

REVENUS 2018: 19 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 23

Chris Ruder est tombé amoureux de Roundnet, un sport obscur inspiré du volley-ball avec un filet ressemblant à un trampoline. Puis, en 2008, il a recueilli 100 000 dollars auprès de sa famille et de ses amis pour créer une entreprise de fabrication d’équipement. Au début, il a envoyé une note personnelle à chaque client. En réponse, les parents ont répondu à propos de la passion de leurs enfants pour le jeu. Les soldats en Afghanistan lui ont envoyé des photos de la zone de guerre. Peu de temps après, il observait des tournois à travers le monde et créait une association internationale Spikeball. Tout cela avait de gros avantages commerciaux. "Nous ne devons demander à personne de promouvoir Spikeball", dit-il. "Ils le font juste eux-mêmes." Et maintenant, ce sport a des millions de passionnés dans le monde entier. Profil de la société

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LA ROUTE D'INDIGO

Charleston, Caroline du Sud

FONDATEURS: Mickey Baskt et Steve Palmer

REVENUS 2018: 50 millions de dollars

EMPLOYÉS: 960

Steve Palmer a commencé son groupe de 20 restaurants dans le sud-est il y a dix ans et, après sa cinquième ouverture réussie, il a commencé à s'inquiéter de la manière d'assurer la croissance dans un secteur à forte défaillance. "Je voulais que mon équipe de direction approfondisse la question de la meilleure identification des personnes", a-t-il déclaré. La société recherche maintenant de nouvelles recrues avec dynamisme, éthique de travail, curiosité et esprit de collaboration. He finds it crucial that he disrupt the traditional work-hard-party-hard restaurant culture, so in 2017 he helped launch Ben’s Friends, which hosts addiction support groups for restaurant workers: "We spend every night taking care of customers," he says. "We are just now figuring out how to take care of each other." Company profile

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VENTURITY FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Addison, Texas

FOUNDER: Chris McKee (CEO)

2018 REVENUE: $5.4 Million

EMPLOYEES: 41

By 2016 Venturity was already larger than most accounting firms that serve small businesses, but it wasn’t making enough to invest in the solid growth that Chris McKee considered essential. He found the answer in an open-book management system developed at SRC Holdings—a 2017 Forbes Small Giant. Since then Venturity has increased its margins and doubled its net pretax profit while reducing client attrition by 30%. Company profile

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WALDRON PRIVATE WEALTH

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

FOUNDER: John Waldron (CEO)

2018 REVENUE: $16 Million

EMPLOYEES: 50

John Waldron opened his business in 1995 with the idea that comprehensive wealth management should provide more than just investment strategy, so it advises on trusts and estates, business assets and other concerns. It now has 175 clients and $2 billion in assets under management—and turns down clients who Waldron feels aren’t "a good fit." He says he never wants the business to be acquired: "As an independent company, we only have to serve our clients." Company profile

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WEBIT SERVICES

Naperville, Illinois

FOUNDER: Eric Rieger (CEO)

2018 REVENUE: $2.65 Million

EMPLOYEES: 17

Eric Rieger says he gets five or six approaches a week from would-be acquirers of or investors in his IT services provider, but the company isn’t for sale and is already growing as fast as he wants. He does have a future buyer in mind, though: his employees, provided the company reaches certain targets by 2021. In 2016 he opened the books to them. "It has changed the culture and produced a much more engaged team," he says. Company profile

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WIKIHOW

Palo Alto, California

FOUNDER: Jack Herrick

2018 REVENUE: $5 Million

EMPLOYEES: 25

Men may dominate the upper echelons at most companies in Silicon Valley, but wikiHow’s CEO is an engineer named Elizabeth Douglas, and 55% of the staff is female. The shared goal of building the world’s best and largest how-to website—it now has 180,000 articles—has guided every major decision at the company, from turning down venture capital investments to walking away from tempting acquisition offers from larger businesses. When is bigger not better? When you value greatness over fast growth. These 25 companies are all privately owned and closely held, and they share a commitment to being the best at what they do, providing stellar service to customers, offering employees fulfilling, rewarding work and being vital members of their communities. They include a leading website for how-to advice, a Texas remanufacturer of oil drilling rigs, a burgeoning chain of "hyperlocal" newspapers, and a game company that has spawned an international community of more than 200 million players. Read and be inspired. Company profile

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Reporting by Elisabeth Brier, Bo Burlingham, Tanya Klich, Christian Kreznar, Monica Melton, Karsten Strauss and Samantha Todd.

Photographs by Aaron Kotowski for Forbes