The 1989 Inc. 500

Lose Sleep Over Cash flow and profitability. "Since we're VC-backed, there's constant pressure to maximize profits."

Workweek 60 hours

Last Vacation January, to Colorado for a week of skiing

Use a PC? No

What's Next Grow to $100 million, then start new company

Footnote

"We're shipping a lot to Russia, and since the key to Gorbachev's remaining in power is his being able to build up consumer goods, hopefully our equipment will help do that. Because he's been the best thing for peace. I've come full circle -- and I feel a lot better giving the Russians shoe factories and apparel equipment than worrying about nuclear weapons."

#336: PAMELA KELLEY
Rue de France Inc.
Manufacturer of French lace curtains

Growing Up

Mother Homemaker; took over business when husband died

Father Owned and managed funeral home

Hometown Washington, N.J.

Education B.A. math; J.D.

Jobs Attorney for Securities and Exchange Commission; cofounded law firm in 1983

Getting Here

"My husband and I lived in Paris for a few years, and I had French lace curtains on my window. I figured that if I thought they were an attractive alternative to Levolor blinds, maybe other people would, too. I also wanted a business excuse to go back to Paris."

My Company, My Self

Inspiration New-product development. "That enthuses me, gets the brain working."

Family in Business Husband consults on advertising

What's Changed "When I started I had no resources for locating raw materials or asking questions. A lot of what I was doing was in the dark. Now, the challenges come from managing people."

Lose Sleep Over Cash flow

Workweek More than 70 hours, between this and law firm

Last Vacation Competed in an international women's sailing championship last fall (crew placed 5th)

Use a PC? Yes, a laptop

What's Next More of the same

Footnotes

"When time pressures get overwhelming, my husband asks, 'Well, why do you have two jobs?' But I like my partners in the law firm, and I don't have too many people I can complain to in my own firm, since I'm the top."

#343: MICHAEL FEENEY
Educational & Fun Ltd.
Retailer of educational toys and teaching aids

Growing Up

Mother Nurse

Father Funeral director

Hometown Reading, Pa.

Education Left 11th grade to join Army; mortuary school

Jobs Vietnam 1966 to '68; funeral director; coroner; county commissioner

Getting Here

"My wife was a teacher, but the stores she went to for good materials were always out of stuff. It was frustrating. So we opened our own store, decided to give it a try."

My Company, My Self

Inspiration Former colleagues

Family in Business Wife, cofounder and main buyer

What's Changed "The attention. With one small store, nobody at the toy show wanted to talk to me. With three stores, they're inviting me to the back room for a soda. Now, with five, they're giving me a sandwich, too."

Lose Sleep Over Cash flow

Workweek 5 hours; full-time county commissioner

Last Vacation Camping at the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

Use a PC? Yes, at home and in both offices

What's Next Two more stores

Footnote

"Since Vietnam I haven't touched a gun. Even now, I can feel a tightness in my chest just talking about it. There's a place in a person's life to understand what a gun is and how it's used, but I don't think it should be for very young kids. So parents who want to isolate their children from that for a time know they can walk in our store and there's no evidence of violence."

#364 and #388: TERRY SHULTZ
Louisiana Business College of Monroe
Draughon Training Institute
Career schools

Growing Up

Mother Homemaker

Father Bought and managed the two schools

Hometown Alexandria, La.

Education Some business school; general aviation training

Jobs Went directly into working at the schools

Getting Here

"My father died when he was 47. I was 21 and my mother and I wanted to keep the family business. So I moved up to Shreveport and started learning the ropes."

My Company, My Self

Inspiration Being around intelligent people, the doers