marketsphere consulting

Gross Revenue: 2005: $25,518,963 2002: $2,121,806 Growth 1,102.70% Full-time employees: 146

As Arthur Andersen imploded in 2002, a group of partners and employees in Kansas City and Omaha decided to start their own business—and MarketSphere Consulting was born. Quadrupling in size from its original 40 employees, the company now has offices in Indianapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Dallas. Instead of hitting the road to serve clients, MarketSphere consultants deliver their expertise closer to their homes—an integral advantage in recruiting and retaining clients as well as employees. “We would rather be perceived as the best instead of the biggest,” says Bruce Allen, managing director. “We’re committed to developing relationships with our clients and our communities. We’re not just in it for the next deal.”

Steve Haden, Carl Yost, Steve Sestak and Bruce Allen.
1st Year

Saicon consulting, inc.

Gross Revenue: 2005: $8,330,231 2002: $1,002,501 Growth 730.94% Full-time employees: 85

From the apartment of its founder, Swati Yelmar, to Pune, India, Saicon Consultants has indeed traveled far. The company, offering IT consulting, staffing, outsourcing and software development, quickly outgrew that apartment and now has offices in Overland Park and Arkansas as well as an R&D facility in India. To differentiate itself, the company developed a model offering a round-the-clock operational and global presence, with the ability to deliver IT people in as little as 24 to 48 hours. But they don’t take success for granted. “There is no guarantee that we will be in business this time next year,” says Ramesh Lokre, CEO. “The only guarantee we have is the opportunity for today. The day we forget this is the day we’ll disappear.”

Ramesh Lokre, Jason Miller, Swati Yelmar, Henry Lavayan and Venky Ramasamy.
1st Year

challenger teamwear

Gross Revenue: 2005: $2,846,364 2002: $368,488 Growth 672.44% Full-time employees: 16

Challenger Teamwear employees don’t simply wear their company’s success well—they actually wear their company’s success. The company makes soccer uniforms and since 10 of the firm’s 16 employees play competitively, well, focus groups are unnecessary. The other six employees are soccer moms and dads. With a motto of “Soccer is our world and teamwear is our life,” this passion shouldn’t come as a surprise. But it is a competitive advantage. “We really provide great customer service,” says Jane Martin, vice president of marketing. “Since most of our customers are volunteers, a high level of service is vital.” And it pays—customer retention over the past four years has averaged 96 percent.

Jane Martin, Mike Blumenthal and Paul Lawrence.
1st Year