NovaStar Financial, Inc.

Gross Revenue: 2003: $349,200,000 2000: $49,760,000
Growth: 601.768% Full-time employees: 1,476

Need mortgage direction? Just follow the NovaStar. Kansas City-based NovaStar Financial, Inc., has proved that it is more than just a shooting star. In fact, the company is burning so brightly that it may some day find itself at the center of the mortgage solar system. Metaphor’s aside, what NovaStar Financial, Inc. has been able to accomplish during a weak economy has been impressive. Gross revenues jumped from nearly $50 mil. four years ago to just under $350 million last year. Nova-Star Financial has not just made money, but it has also made huge strides in becoming one of the dominant figures in the emerging nonconforming mortgage industry.

Scott Hartman

2nd Year

Inergy, LP

Gross Revenue: 2003: $363,365,000 2000: $63,512,000
Growth: 472.120% Full-time employees: 1,085 If

Inergy, LP had its way, the adage “If you can’t beat them, join them” would instead be coined “If you can’t beat them, buy them.” Not that Inergy has any trouble with its competitors, mind you, but consider the fact that Inergy has acquired more than 35 companies since the company’s inception in 1996. That’s 4.5 companies a year, or roughly one company every three months. But you can’t argue with results: Since 2000, Inergy, LP has seen a 472% growth in revenue, celebrating a great 2003 in which the company saw gross revenue exceed $360 million.

Brooks Sherman, Laura Ozenberger and John Sherman.

3rd Year

The Astra Group Gross Revenue: 2003:

$4,647,319 2000: $981,801
Growth: 373.346% Full-time employees: 4

Bolstered by a thriving human resources out- sourcing trend, The Astra Group has spent much of the last fiscal year obtaining new clients in its successful effort to return to the Corporate Report 100 Top 10 for a second consecutive year. Lead by CEO Shane Jones, the Overland Park-based company has developed an excellent retention record along the way, as well as an excellent reputation. Says client Kay Stanley, founder of another Corporate Report Top 10 stalwart, K&Company, “The Astra Group has been a key to our success, “We are very appreciative of how they have partnered with us to assist our effort.”

Shane Jones, Sara Jung and Jerry Haney.

2nd Year

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