Emerging: George G. Wade, Pluma Inc.

• Author: Elridge, Lisa
• Position: Entrepreneur of the Year

When Pluma first opened its doors in Eden three years ago, President George Wade and two others shared an office and a telephone line dropped from the second-floor window each morning and pulled up each evening. Modest beginnings, but Wade and five co-workers who jumped ship from Martinsville, Va. fleece-wear manufacturer Bassett-Walker were convinced they had a great idea: upscale sweat suits.

They were right. By controlling production from buying yam to packaging and by using heavier...