Backyard Safari Bug Vacuum and Habitat.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: Colorado Cool Stuff

In 1995, stockbroker Mike Searls invented an allowance kit to teach his kids about money. "Lo and behold, it became a company," he said. In the ensuing 10 years, that company--Summit Financial Products--has shipped millions of banks, gadgets and toys for the 8-to-12 set. Summit's latest hit is the Backyard Safari Bug Vacuum, which allows "tweens" to suck up bugs and relocate them to a separately sold Bug Habitat. While Searls is based in Parker (and Summit is incorporated in Colorado), he's the only local employee, with about 20 others in Alabama, New Jersey and Hong Kong, and a global network of...