Gary Keller and Joe Williams founded Keller Williams in 1983 with the simple idea that they would provide buyers and sellers better service than anyone else was providing. The idea seems clearly to have paid off. This past year, under the able leadership of President and CEO Judy Johns, the firm grossed nearly $4 million, an 863% increase in the last four years. The partners attribute their success to, among other things, to giving all of their associates a voice in how the company is run." Associate "Coach" Ken Johns proved his mettle in the evening"s push-up contest.

1st Year

Adam Bold is a name that seems more fitting for a comic book action hero than an investment counselor. But under his intrepid leadership, the Mutual Fund Store has soared into sixth place on Ingram"s Corporate 100 listing. Bold attributes a good part of his company"s success to radio, an unusual marketing tool in his business. Bold is not only the founder and chief investment officer of his company, but he also hosts "The Mutual Fund Show" that airs weekly in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Indianapolis. Under Bold"s guidance, the Overland Park-based firm now has 32 employees in five states and a four-year growth spurt of 860%.

1st Year

"Ad astra per aspera"—"to the stars through perseverance"—is the official Kansas state motto and the unofficial one of The Astra group. The perseverance has paid off in an 834% growth in revenues since 1999 for The Astra Group, a firm that specializes in human resources outsourcing. President Shane Jones believes that his Overland Park-based company has succeeded even in this uncertain era because businesses more than ever want to focus on selling their products rather than fussing with human resource issues. He is confident too that they will retain that focus once the economy springs back.

1st Year