Stephen Young: steely resolve.

• Author: Stevenson, Brooks
• Position: People

In 1995, Stephen Young started making custom steel brush guards and protective equipment for Land Rovers in a garage. From the humble beginnings of that 150-square-foot workspace, Young used his plucky approach to life to help him build a multi-million dollar business in less than 10 years.

Hammerton, a high-end steel lighting and furnishings business, is the product of Young's hard work, focus, dedication and pure, unadulterated fearlessness.

"My biggest asset in the beginning." says Young, "was my ability to sell myself and the concept that I could do anything with steel."

After completing his first big project, a steel mailbox designed to look like a tree with vines growing around the trunk, Young realized he was capable of more. From there, the organic steel sculptures that adorn hundreds of the finest resorts and homes in the country became the mainstay of his business.

Soon, his production line was growing, and he needed more help and a bigger workspace. So he enticed Levi Wilson to join him with the promise of ownership, and together they moved Out of the garage and on to bigger things--much bigger.

Hammerton was named the second-fastest-growing company in the state by the "Utah 100" in 2000 and the 14th fastest growing company in 2001. Young also recently won the 2002 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Afterward, he described himself like a team of horses: "Whip me harder, I'll run faster."

Growth hasn't necessarily come easily. He's made his share of missteps. The key to rebounding from those errors, according to Young, was that he learned making mistakes was part of the...