In what many categorize as a tough economic climate, Inc. Magazine's Inc. 500 | 5000 is a list of good news, highlighting the stories of America's fastest-growing private companies.
The companies that make the list are set forth as examples of the independent entrepreneurs that are doing things right, helping the economy to grow.
The 2012 edition of the list came out late last month, and six members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce are on it.
The six companies are: Sullivan Solar Power (number 1,102), the Samuel Scott Financial Group (1,630), ACD, formerly known as AutoClaimsDirect (1,712), Stone Brewing (2,063), Peek Packaging (3,234) and Oceanside Photo and Telescope (4,360).
This is Sullivan Solar Power's third consecutive time on the list. Over the course of those three years, the company, which was founded in 2004, has added 59 employees (it currently has 67 on its payroll). It's growth over the past three years has been 288 percent. The company had $16.7 million in revenue in 2011.
"Our company is one of the longest-standing locally-headquartered solar firms in the region and has more than 1,000 customers," said Erica Johnson, director of community relations and development for Sullivan Solar Power. "Our commitment to quality workmanship, in the residential sector and for high profile institutional projects, such as SDSU, UCSD and the Port of San Diego have allowed for us to build the company into a local household name and a word-of-mouth reputation. In 2012, Sullivan Solar Power launched a countywide solar incentive program that allows homeowners the opportunity to get paid to go solar. This has been instrumental for our firm's growth this year."
The company said its inclusion in the list is a great accomplishment, one that inspires the team to continue its work to help its customers and the country move toward energy independence.
This is the first time that the Samuel Scott Financial Group, which provides "boutique mortgage services in the residential financing area" has been included in the Inc. 5000. Overall, the company is ranked 92nd in the financial services category and 32nd in San Diego. The 30-employee company, which had $3.5 million in revenue in 2011, has experienced 180 percent growth in the last three years.
"Being recognized on the Inc. 5000 list is an absolute honor for a locally-owned company," said Todd Pianin, owner and president. "It's a testament to our hard work and superior customer service. We've been able to grow steadily because we stay true to our foundation and treat people with respect. We don't think of our sales team as loan originators. They are mortgage advisors. They do a lot more than just take orders, they guide clients to a financial solution that truly makes sense for their life."
ACD, which has 34 employees, has made the list four consecutive years. This year it's ranked 20th in the insurance category and 34 in San Diego. It reported a revenue of $8.6 million in 2011 and has experienced 167 percent growth in the last three years.
"This is a testament to what we've done, and to our philosophy of hiring the best people we can and helping them grow by increasing their industry-related education," said CEO Ernie Bray. "This is a motivator for our employees, and it makes them feel they're part of a very successful company and their work hasn't gone unnoticed. Really, we all share in this award."
This is also the fourth time that Peek Packaging, a five-employee company that designs custom, environmentally-friendly packing materials for retail, industrial, food and biotech industries has been included in the list. It had revenue of $5.2 million in 2011 and has grown 63 percent over the last three years. It is ranked 61st in growth in San Diego.
CEO Bob Peek says that from his perspective, the economy is booming. He sees people buying everywhere.
"I think weak companies that were bloated were the ones that ran out of money," Bray said. "Lean companies that were stealthy and could react to market conditions swiftly are doing fine."
As for his company, Peek said his company is a leader in its niche market.
"We worked our market and keep adding new accounts, and that seems like it worked."
This is the eighth time that Stone Brewing has been included in the list, and it has been included for the last six years. This year it's ranked 56th in the food industry and 43 in San Diego. It reported revenue of $83.9 million in 2011 and has 424 employees. It's grown 127 percent in the last three years.
Oceanside Photo & Telescope has been on the list twice, the last time in 2008. Oceanside-based OPT has 30 employees and has grown 26 percent over the last three years. It's reported 2011 revenue is $17 million, and it's the 85th fastest-growing company in San Diego, according to the magazine.
The companies that make the list are set forth as examples of the independent entrepreneurs that are doing things right, helping the economy to grow.
The 2012 edition of the list came out late last month, and six members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce are on it.
The six companies are: Sullivan Solar Power (number 1,102), the Samuel Scott Financial Group (1,630), ACD, formerly known as AutoClaimsDirect (1,712), Stone Brewing (2,063), Peek Packaging (3,234) and Oceanside Photo and Telescope (4,360).
This is Sullivan Solar Power's third consecutive time on the list. Over the course of those three years, the company, which was founded in 2004, has added 59 employees (it currently has 67 on its payroll). It's growth over the past three years has been 288 percent. The company had $16.7 million in revenue in 2011.
"Our company is one of the longest-standing locally-headquartered solar firms in the region and has more than 1,000 customers," said Erica Johnson, director of community relations and development for Sullivan Solar Power. "Our commitment to quality workmanship, in the residential sector and for high profile institutional projects, such as SDSU, UCSD and the Port of San Diego have allowed for us to build the company into a local household name and a word-of-mouth reputation. In 2012, Sullivan Solar Power launched a countywide solar incentive program that allows homeowners the opportunity to get paid to go solar. This has been instrumental for our firm's growth this year."
The company said its inclusion in the list is a great accomplishment, one that inspires the team to continue its work to help its customers and the country move toward energy independence.
This is the first time that the Samuel Scott Financial Group, which provides "boutique mortgage services in the residential financing area" has been included in the Inc. 5000. Overall, the company is ranked 92nd in the financial services category and 32nd in San Diego. The 30-employee company, which had $3.5 million in revenue in 2011, has experienced 180 percent growth in the last three years.
"Being recognized on the Inc. 5000 list is an absolute honor for a locally-owned company," said Todd Pianin, owner and president. "It's a testament to our hard work and superior customer service. We've been able to grow steadily because we stay true to our foundation and treat people with respect. We don't think of our sales team as loan originators. They are mortgage advisors. They do a lot more than just take orders, they guide clients to a financial solution that truly makes sense for their life."
ACD, which has 34 employees, has made the list four consecutive years. This year it's ranked 20th in the insurance category and 34 in San Diego. It reported a revenue of $8.6 million in 2011 and has experienced 167 percent growth in the last three years.
"This is a testament to what we've done, and to our philosophy of hiring the best people we can and helping them grow by increasing their industry-related education," said CEO Ernie Bray. "This is a motivator for our employees, and it makes them feel they're part of a very successful company and their work hasn't gone unnoticed. Really, we all share in this award."
This is also the fourth time that Peek Packaging, a five-employee company that designs custom, environmentally-friendly packing materials for retail, industrial, food and biotech industries has been included in the list. It had revenue of $5.2 million in 2011 and has grown 63 percent over the last three years. It is ranked 61st in growth in San Diego.
CEO Bob Peek says that from his perspective, the economy is booming. He sees people buying everywhere.
"I think weak companies that were bloated were the ones that ran out of money," Bray said. "Lean companies that were stealthy and could react to market conditions swiftly are doing fine."
As for his company, Peek said his company is a leader in its niche market.
"We worked our market and keep adding new accounts, and that seems like it worked."
This is the eighth time that Stone Brewing has been included in the list, and it has been included for the last six years. This year it's ranked 56th in the food industry and 43 in San Diego. It reported revenue of $83.9 million in 2011 and has 424 employees. It's grown 127 percent in the last three years.
Oceanside Photo & Telescope has been on the list twice, the last time in 2008. Oceanside-based OPT has 30 employees and has grown 26 percent over the last three years. It's reported 2011 revenue is $17 million, and it's the 85th fastest-growing company in San Diego, according to the magazine.