May 1, 2001

Letters

Readers respond to our February cover story, "An American Start-Up," and Norm Brodsky's Street Smarts column "Ask Norm." Also, CEO's from the March issue get congratulated for weathering the entrepreneurial storm.

An Internet Model That Works

The dot-coms may be dropping like flies, but the Internet can still turbocharge a traditional company's sales. CEO Norm Brodsky offers six advantages to making a concerted effort online.

Obit: Silicon Alley Café Logs Out

Eureka Joe became the chic watering hole for the digerati of Manhattan. But after the Nasdaq meltdown, Eureka Joe's customers, as well as its owners, sunk into depression.

The Idea Guru

Idea-generation guru Doug Hall is aiming to build a new venture that will bring the secrets of new-product creation to small companies everywhere.

Dear John

What happens when the venture capitalists find profit in your company -- but don't see profit in you?

The Inner-City 100: The Asphalt Window

Inner-cities aren't usually thought of as hotbeds of entrepreneurial activity, but they are often harbingers of things to come for the rest of the country.

Comeback Markets

Most companies have taken a pass on an inner-city service market worth tens of billions of dollars. Some smart urban-based businesses are eagerly filling the void.

Curricular Extras

SuccessLab, the #16 Inner City 100 company in 2001, shores up the academic moorings of kids in poor school districts.

Doctors Without Orders

Molina Healthcare, #61 on the 2001 Inner City 100, gives physicians freedom to match the treatment with the culture.

These Old Houses

Rego Reality, #9 on the 2001 Inner City 100, brings dilapidated buildings back to life -- and livelihood.

Mother's Giant Helper

Allegheny Child Care, #48 on the 2001 Inner City 100, lifts a burden from welfare-to-work mothers in the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Detroit areas.

The Inner City 100 Almanac

Fast facts about the inner-city 100 CEOs and their businesses.

City Lights

The people, places, and plans behind some 2001 Inner City 100 companies.

Visible Signs of Relief

With aid from the International Rescue Committee, Boston-based Robinwood Inc. has staffed itself with war refugees from around the world.

In the Bank

Michael Sherman, CEO of Sherman Assembly Systems, believes in improving the lives of his workers both in and outside of work.

The English Impatient

In an effort to "Americanize" his mainly Chinese workforce, Thomas Chen, founder of Crystal Window & Door Systems, offers English lessons at work and promotes "English-only Friday's.

Fish Fry

Clearwater Fisheries lowers its energy costs by supplying its biodegradable waste to a neighboring company that turns the material into energy. A match made not in heaven, but an industrial corridor in Chicago.

My Customer's Customer, Myself

Integrated Packaging Corp, located in New Brunswick, N.J., uses his inner city location as a competitive advantage to win customers.

Take My Franchise, Please

Candy Bouquet International CEO Margaret McEntire wants to help build America from within by giving her franchises away to franchisees who set up shop in inner cities. It could be a sweet deal if her proposal passes through Congress.

After-School Special

The Great America Leasing Corporation is giving back to the community by using its outdated computers to set up an educational computer center for children.

All About Eaves

Leticia Elias, president of Aztec Roofing & Sheetmetal Corp., is helping young contractors obtain credit to improve the Hispanic community she services.

Who Wants To Be A Milliner?

New England's apparel industry has been in decline for decades. But that hasn't stopped Ken Schwartz from making a fortune in the hat business. The story of the #1 2001 Inner City 100 company.

The Billionaire Next Door

Have you ever wondered whether some people are just born to be entrepreneurs? Meet David Koretz, a 21-year-old businessman hoping to be a billionaire by 25.

CEO's Notebook

Links to this issue's CEO's Notebook of mini-articles on credit scoring, getting seed capital from Uncle Sam, and imaginative recruiting strategies.

Scoring The Credit You Need

Getting a loan is a faster, more objective process than it used to be -- for better or worse.

Hot Tip: Product Mix

Find out what your distribution strategy will be before you start selling your product.

Seed Capital From Uncle Sam

Where can you find cash in a credit crunch? OLI Systems Inc., a New Jersey software company, looked to the government's National Institute of Standards and Technology for funding.

A Taxing Recruiting Problem

Imaginative CEOs can still find ways to recruit in a tight labor market.

Clothing Allowance

International Theme Park Services Inc. believes that first impressions really do count -- the CEO has been wearing a suit and tie to work every day for the last 42 years.

In A Former Life: C. Richard Reese

C. Richard Reese, CEO of Iron Moutain Inc., who now speaks to large groups of people all the time, discusses his first brush with public speaking.

Virtual Workouts, Real-World Results?

Can you really get your exercise in front of your computer? Dozens of fitness sites are popping up and Inc. has rated the best.

The VC on the Corner

Think the most you can expect from a bank is a line of credit? You might be missing out on the emergence of banks' private-equity arms.

How Should Business Partners Evaluate One Another's Performance?

What you should do when it's time to motivate your partners but not offend them with constructive critiscism.

Index

How to contact companies, people, and organizations mentioned prominently in this issue.

Business For Sale: Maryland Day Spa

Ever have one of those "Calgon, take me away" moments? Buying a day spa could help you escape from the rat race -- not to mention give you soft, supple skin.

Winnebago Take All

Keith Stevens, CEO of Team 2000 Staffing Services, tells his managers to go out and find workers instead of waiting for them to come in.

Border Fulfillment

Miratek Corp. is speeding up service to its clients by taking advantage of the open borders created by NAFTA and stationing its information-technology-services staff on both sides of the US-Mexican border.

Hot Tip: Let Your Sales Team Sell

By changing the office duties of their sales team, Giftcorp has increased sales by 30%.

Perennial Growth

Learn from CEO Neal Waldman on how to lease space -- he does it every summer when the number of his employees jump 10-fold.

The Inner-City Index

What the numbers reveal about this year's Inner-City 100.