Indiana's high-growth, high-potential companies.

• Position: A-V

ACE MORTGAGE FUNDING INC.

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Richard M. Hall, Robert L. Gregory Jr.

Founded: 1998

Growth 100 winner: Second year

Product/service: Provides mortgage services

Reason for success: Retention of motivated employees

Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Donald Trump, for the ability to stay focused, have a positive attitude, overcome the obstacles

Favorite management principle: Lead by example

AIT LABORATORIES

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Michael A. Evans, Linda E. Evans

Founded: 1990

Growth 100 winner: Second year

Product/service: Analytical laboratory specializing in trace chemical detection and measurement in biological fluids and tissues

ALL SEASONS AUTOMATIC POOL COVERS

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: John St. Clair Jr., Michelle St. Clair Stuck, Karen St. Clair

Founded: 1990

Growth 100 winner: Third year

Product/service: Distribute, install and service automatic swimming pool covers in 16 states

Reasons for success: Attention to detail, commitment to customer satisfaction

Entrepreneurial traits: Be able to see the "big picture" and stay focused

Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Walt Disney and Ray Koch (McDonald's founder), whose companies have never ceased to amaze me with their attention to the smallest detail in providing services and products to their customers

You know you're growing too fast when: You are too busy putting out fires to look for new ways to grow the business

Favorite management principle: Participatory

Greatest challenge: Balancing the demand for good customer service within sound financial parameters

APOLLO DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Fort Wayne

Lead entrepreneur: Joel Nichols

Founded: 1992

Growth 100 winner: Second year

Product/service: Products for the entertainment lighting industries

Reason for success: High-quality products that are custom-made within 3-5 days

Entrepreneurial traits: Growth-oriented and a never-say-never attitude

Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Michael Dell, because of his awesome distribution system

You know you're growing too fast when: When you did not know you hired someone

Favorite management principle: You will never walk on water if you are afraid to get out of the boat

Highest achievement: Inc. 500 (#166)

Greatest challenge: Keeping good balance in my life

AVER'S PIZZA

Bloomington

Lead entrepreneurs: Kristian A. Kaiser, Brad Randall

Founded: 1995

Growth 100 winner: Second year

Product/service: Carry-out/delivery pizza restaurant

Favorite management principle: Hire good people, train them well and give them the autonomy to do their jobs

Long-term goals: Franchise this concept nationally

Proudest moment: Recognized as one of the top 100 independent pizza restaurants in the country by Pizza Today

BARBER MANUFACTURING CO.

Anderson

Lead entrepreneur: Jeffrey W. Barber

Founded: 1894

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Manufacturer of springs and spring assemblies for the upholstered seating and bedding industry.

Reasons for success: We have created our niche; great people

BIG INCH FABRICATORS & CONSTRUCTION

Montezuma

Lead entrepreneurs: Blake B. Hartman, George Brinkley, Doug McCord, Jim Hurst

Founded: 1998

Growth 100 winner: Second year

Product/service: High-pressure natural gas and oil piping fabrication and installation throughout the Midwest

Reason for success: Service was needed in this area because of a high demand for new pipelines and stations

BITWISE SOLUTIONS

Carmel

Lead entrepreneurs: Ronald W. Brumbarger, Scott Workman

Founded: 1991

Growth 100 winner: Third year

Product/service: Internet design and development, online marketing, managed hosting and project collaboration software

Reason for success: There is no other alternative

Last book you read: The Discipline of Market Leaders by Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema

CJ BOOTS CASKET CO.

Anderson

Lead entrepreneurs: Chris Boots, Stephen R. Bourke

Founded: 1999

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Manufacturer of high-end hardwood caskets

Reason for success: Incredible passion for our products

Entrepreneurial traits: Finding a niche, serving customers well

BRITANNIA INC.

Fort Wayne

Lead entrepreneurs: Peter Harrison, Marian Harrison, Shiv Saggu, Marika Hamilton, Eric Hamilton

Founded: 1989

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Broad range of services to independent office products resellers

ELMER BUCHTA TRUCKING LLC

Otwell

Lead entrepreneur: Elmer Buchta

Founded: 1937

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Transportation services for the coal industry in southern Indiana

Reason for success: I stress customer service above all else

BURKHART CAIN ASSOCIATES

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Paul Burkhart, Stacey Cain

Founded: 1998

Growth 100 winner: Third year

Product/service: Marketing and advertising and related design services, event planning

Reason for success: "Whatever it takes" philosophy

Entrepreneurial traits: Somewhat of a gambler

Role-model entrepreneur, and why: George Mikelsons, founder of ATA, because he taught me that "flying under the radar" of the competition is a key element in business

Favorite management principle: Giving credit where credit is due

Proudest moment: Production wall was full and overflowing

CARSON DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Carmel

Lead entrepreneurs: Jack E. Carson, Leanne Carson, Shawn Curran

Founded: 1991

Growth 100 winner: Fifth year

Product/service: Architecture, interior design.

Reason for success: Developing creative solutions to our clients' problems.

Entrepreneurial traits: Flexibility, persistence, looking for new ways to stay ahead of the curve.

Highest achievement: Staying in business for 10 years and assembling a team that ensures our longevity

Greatest challenge: Creatively finding new opportunities in an uncertain economy

CATALYST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Jack Lawson, Earl Dunlap, Dennis Turner

Founded: 1999

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Full-service product design and development The ability to react quickly to clients' needs

Entrepreneurial traits: Creative problem solving

You know you're growing too fast when: You notice that your employees are bringing sleeping bags to work and there are no parking spaces left

CLASS UNLIMITED DBA EAST OF CHICAGO PIZZA

Fort Wayne

Lead entrepreneurs: Bud Snyder, Ric Snyder, Mike Williams

Founded: 1995

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Sale of pizza & pizza-related products

Reasons for success: Strong people, the best pan pizza

Entrepreneurial traits: Deal with everyone fairly, honestly and professionally; be aggressive

COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES

Brownsburg

Lead entrepreneurs: Lisa Freestone, Bruce Freestone, Alan Devney, Melissa Bartlet

Founded: 1997

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Enterprise project management, IT business management consulting, contract IT consulting

Reasons for success: A clear business plan, hiring the right people, providing quality services in a niche market, being patient

You know you're growing too fast when: The day is not long enough

CONNOR & CO.

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: William S. Connor, Chris Bischoff

Founded: 1979

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: General contracting service; removal, repair, window and restoration services

Reason for success: We focus on the three "I"s: integrity, industry and intelligence

You know you're growing too fast when: Payments arrive and I didn't even know we performed the project

CORNERSTONE INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Bloomington

Lead entrepreneur: Mat Orrego

Founded: 1992

Growth 100 winner: Third year

Product/service: Software for the travel and transportation industry.

Reasons for success: Listened to the market, developed internal efficiencies and provided excellent after-purchase care

You know you're growing too fast when: You have to expand your restroom facilities

Favorite management principle: Less is more

Highest achievement: Less than 10 percent turnover of staff since inception of company

DESKTOP RESOURCES INC.

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneur: Anthony Schafer

Founded: 1995

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Information-technology support, systems integration and technology consulting

Reason for success: Employee and customer loyalty

Entrepreneurial traits: Recognizing when the norm isn't good enough

DURA-BUILDERS

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Paul Shoopman, Shelley Shoopman

Founded: 1974

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Single-family housing construction

Reasons for success: Diversification, the desire to succeed, religious faith

Entrepreneurial traits: Do things with customers in mind

EMPLOYMENT PLUS

Bloomington

Lead entrepreneur: Mike Ross

Founded: 1993

Growth 100 winner: Fifth year

Product/service: Full-service employment agency placing temporary and permanent positions

You know you're growing too fast when: It becomes difficult to finalize a solution to an issue before the issue becomes irrelevant and matures to another stage

Company goals: To open four to six offices per year and implement technological advances

EQUIPMENT EXPRESS

LaPorte

Jeff Ake, Liliana Ake

Founded: 1995

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Filling, capping and labeling equipment and integration services for bottlers

FACTORYFITNESS.COM

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneur: Kris Reibel

Founded: 1995

Growth 100 winner: First year

Product/service: Retail and commercial sales of fitness and exercise equipment

Reason for success: Understanding of the manufacturer and distribution channels and relationships

Entrepreneurial traits: Never gives up

FANIMATION DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING

Lebanon

Lead entrepreneur: Thomas Frampton

Founded: 1984

Growth 100...