The 1989 Inc. 500

Family in Business Sister, in marketing department

What's Changed "Your identity changes many times over through rapid growth. Who you are as a manager, as a person, your role in the company."

Lose Sleep Over Bringing in new students

Workweek 50 to 60 hours

Last Vacation Took their kids to Disney World last December

Use a PC? Sometimes

What's Next Recently started a software company

Footnote

"I think some of the self-discipline I learned from aviation has given me the strength to face the challenges in this business. It teaches you self-confidence. Initially one of my biggest challenges was my youth. People don't quite accept you when you're very young. I don't feel that too much anymore; a lot of it has to do with my self-confidence."

#432: RAY MARTIN
Jemson Cabinetry Inc.
Distributor of kitchen and bath cabinets

Growing Up

Mother Homemaker

Father Minister, farmer

Hometown Ephrata, Pa.

Education High school

Jobs Ran a chicken farming operation, construction company

Getting Here

"I was buying my kitchen cabinets from a local distributor, and I loved the products he was handling, but he ended up losing the line. The factory eventually offered me the distributorship."

My Company, My Self

Inspiration "I'm rather a religious person, and think there's a higher meaning in life than seeing how many dollars I can make."

Family in Business Father helped start the company

What's Changed "I've turned over the day-to-day responsibilities -- in fact, just this week a CEO was named in the company. I don't enjoy management much, and it was time to leave the business to professional managers."

Lose Sleep Over Not much, now that others run the show

Workweek 20 hours in helping new CEO

Last Vacation Week in Vermont this summer with wife and kids

Use a PC? Yes

What's Next Active investor in several small firms; public service

Footnote

"Up to half my time I'd like to contribute to nonbusiness groups; for instance, I'm on the board of a housing advocate for low-to middle-income families. And I'm in, I guess you could say, a venture capital position with some companies. That's where my interests lie now."

#447: JAMES DELANO
Lion Coffee
Coffee roaster and distributor

Growing Up

Mother Teacher and worked in family business

Father Runs wholesale distribution company

Hometown St. James, Mo.

Education B.A. art history

Jobs Worked for father, renovated historic building

Getting Here

"I studied design and had seen the original Lion Coffee trading cards from the 1880s and 1890s. The company had an illustrious career in Toledo but had ceased manufacturing; I thought having an historical brand of coffee at the coffeehouse I was building in Honolulu would make a nice tie-in."

My Company, My Self

Inspiration "I couldn't work for a stodgily managed company, and I really enjoy providing a good place for people to work."

Family in Business Father on board of directors

What's Changed "If there are things I miss, I start doing them again. I enjoy running the espresso machine at the café at our roasting plant and unloading the coffee bags -- I like the physical labor."

Lose Sleep Over Keeping shelf space in stores

Workweek 50 hours

Last Vacation New York City, Vancouver

Use a PC? Yes

What's Next Reopen the original downtown coffeehouse

Footnote

"All the outside interests that people bring to the company are important. I want people to live and breathe Lion Coffee part of the time, but I want them to have other interests that move their souls a little bit."

#485: YOUSIF GHAFARI
Ghafari Associates Inc.
Architectural and engineering services

Growing Up

Mother Homemaker

Father Tobacco company employee

Hometown Alma El-Chaab, South Lebanon

Education Masters degrees in math and in engineering

Jobs Engineer at another firm

My Company, My Self

Inspiration Japanese managers

Family in Business Wife, corporate counsel; cousin, VP of finance; sister, clerical; sister, sales

What's Changed "Bankers. Now, they're knocking on our door."

Lose Sleep Over Keeping employees happy as company grows

Workweek 50 hours

Last Vacation This fall, to Europe

Use A PC? Yes

What's Next Open new offices