ascend media

Gross Revenue: 2005: $125,243,852 2002: $19,909,345 Growth 529.07% Full-time employees: 490

Ascend Media closed three deals within 90 days between November 2004 and the end of January 2005. “It was all by coincidence,” says CEO Cam Bishop, with a laugh. “We had been working on one of those deals for three months, another for nine months and the other for 13 months. It was definitely a hectic time.” The company focuses its publications and related media, seminars and tradeshows in two main platforms: the medical and healthcare industry and the food, beverage and gaming industries. The biggest challenge the company faces, says Bishop, is integrating the various corporate cultures. Not surprisingly, he says the key is communication.

Dan Altman, Cam Bishop and Ron Wall.
1st Year

sunlight saunas

Gross Revenue: 2005: $6,691,265 2002: $1,122,878 Growth 495.90% Full-time employees: 23

Not content to rest on its accomplishments, last year’s Corporate Report 100 winner returns to the Top 10 for the second straight year. Citing passion and innovation as secrets to success the company, which designs and sells infrared saunas, devotes a large percentage of its resources to research and development, launching three new product lines since it started in 1999. With 80 percent of sales coming through the Internet, Sunlight Saunas has distributors in more than a dozen countries including Australia, Spain, Hungary and New Zealand. The company gained more acclaim as weight loss expert Jorge Cruise recommended Sunlight Saunas as one of seven gifts to give in his USA Weekend column.

Aaron Zack and Connie Zack.
2nd Year

the astra group

Gross Revenue: 2005: $15,942,466 2002: $2,819,546 Growth 465.43% Full-time employees: 5

Appearing for the fourth year, the Astra Group reflects the burgeoning trend toward outsourcing human resources. Led by CEO Shane Jones from its Overland Park headquarters since it was established in 1999, the company offers staffing services in the medical, legal, engineering, technology, administrative and light industrial fields in addition to human resources. The foundation of the company’s ongoing success is an unwavering commitment to outstanding customer service combined with a range of innovative, value-added services. That, in turn, has led the company to retain its clients, which of course continues to contribute to its ongoing success.

Shane Jones and Sarah Jung.
4th Year