If it works, take it to the bank.

• Author: Rose, S. Mariah
• Position: Cynthia McKay's Le Gourmet Gift Basket service - Company Profile

Cynthia McKay's "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" business philosophy landed her in the middle of a gold mine.

McKay's Le Gourmet Gift Basket grossed $1 million in revenue last year. The Denver-based gift basket franchise boasts 279 locations nationwide, and will expand into Canada and Australia this year.

Seven years ago McKay impulsively quit her job as an attorney, got a business license and struck out on her own. She decided against applying for a loan because she was too impatient to go through the approval process. "Once I decided to start my own company, it had to happen that day," McKay said.

McKay charged $50,000 in operating expenses to credit cards during her business' first 10 months. But she managed to turn a $14,000 profit during the same period.

What set her apart from the other umpteen-zillion gift basket businesses? McKay credited her "innate business sense and corporate mentality" with enabling her to land her first corporate accounts. She created a frequent buying program with customer incentives for repeat business. McKay also worked 17 hours a day and networked a lot. "I wanted everyone I met to love me and love my company," she said.

McKay's early vision included franchising. She wanted to provide women like herself with the practical means to become self-employed and work from home. McKay opened...