September 2012
COVER STORY
Meet No. 1: Oleg Firer of Unified Payments
Here's how a poor immigrant kid from Brooklyn wound up running Unified Payments, No. 1 on the Inc. 500 list this year.
FEATURES
6 Classic Ways to Crash Your Company
Every fast-growth company eventually runs into at least one of these all-too-common obstacles. Here's how to handle them.
The Rise & Fall & Rise (Again) of David Steinberg
He rose to the top of the Inc. 500, then failed spectacularly. Now he's back with another fast-growing company.
How I Came Here as an Arranged Bride and Became My Own Boss
Sundeep Bhandal of IT staffing firm Anjaneyap let her father choose her husband but not her career path.
Why I Stopped Firing Everyone and Started Being a Better Boss
Indigo Johnson used to fire her employees on a regular basis--until she realized that she was the problem.
No Succession Plan & an Uncertain Legacy
An untimely death and no succession plan left Michelle Taylor at the helm of her mother's company, Betah Associates, with no oars.
Life After the Inc. 500: Fortune, Flameout, and Self Discovery
A new study illuminates what happens to companies, and their founders, in the years after they land on the Inc. 500.
Private Again and On the Move
Blackboard CEO Michael Chasen has loved every minute of taking his company public and then back to being private--while maintaining growth along the way.
Still Growing, Still Independent, Still Happy
Elizabeth Elting has grown Transperfect Translations by over 30 percent annually since 2000 without a dime of outside funds--and she plans to keep it that way.
Shaking Up the Healthy Foods Category, Again
Former WhiteWave CEO, Steve Demos, is back at it, taking his upstart Nextfoods to new levels of growth--this time with a touch more Yoda.
Set a Remarkable Goal, Then Blow It Away
William Roetzheim launched one company and sold it for millions. Now he wants to do it again and again and then again.
The Difference Between Success and Significance
When Oie Osterkamp's run at success ended with the demise of his company Job Strategies, he found greater significance from helping others.
Why Cheerleaders Make the Best Employees
Heidi Sweeney of Slate Rock Safety hired a team full of cheerleaders for her uniform company.
COLUMNS
Transforming Scientists Into Entrepreneurs
Our nation's research labs hold a wealth of untapped innovation. But how do you bridge the gap between science and start-up?
Partnership or S Corp?
One concern is taxes; another is protecting assets. What's the best way to set up your business?
The Problem With Your Accountant
Tens of thousands of CPAs make a living doing returns for small-business clients. They're missing a great opportunity.
When to Cut a Customer
How much leeway should you give a client who's not paying his bills?
Living With Doubt (& Doubters)
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? It's tough to stay confident when your spouse loses faith in your business.
Why I Gave My Company a Month Off
Entrepreneur Jason Fried says when he gave employees a break from their daily routine, he saw a spark in creativity company-wide.
THE GOODS
The Best New Office Furniture
Designs with flex and function.
Say Goodbye to Junk Email
Check out two new tools that can help you tame your overflowing inbox.
Is Your Smartphone Disaster Proof?
You've shelled out plenty for your cell phone. Keep it safe from harm with one of these rugged cases.
Why I Wasted a Perfectly Good Doctorate
Patrick Mish quit a high-profile engineering job to start electronics accessories company M-Edge. He says it was all his wife's fault.
No Time Like the Present
Why were so many Inc. 500 companies founded during the recession? Because a good idea is more powerful than a bad environment.
Why I Stopped Giving It Away
Becoming a hero among Web developers was cool, but it didn't actually pay. So Dries Buytaert went out and built a company.
How We Turned a Wedding in a Baseball Stadium Into an Ad Firm
Dave and Carrie Kerpen were inspired to start events and marketing firm Likeable Media after they got sponsors to fund their wedding.
Why I Could Not Have Done It Alone
Kathy Mills of Strategic Communications says failing is tough when you're surrounded by a family of entrepreneurs that have your back.
How I Learned to Love Diesel
Jayme Hall runs a diesel parts and accessories company. It's a good thing she doesn't mind getting her designer clothes dirty.
Why I'm Still Getting My Hands Dirty
He got rich flipping houses, became famous doing it on TV ... and then Armando Montelongo really hit his stride.
Why Those Cease-and-Desist Letters Aren't All Bad
In a weird way, William Gilligan and Mike Ferneman figure, attention from lawyers means they have hit the big time.
Why I Love Giving Second Chances--to People and Machines
Michael Dadashi uses his electronics resale business to save lives, literally, by hiring recovering alcoholics to work for his company.
Why I Thrive Under Pressure (& Why My Clients Do, Too)
Mike Comer took his knowledge of diving equipment and launched Wound Care Advantage, a business helping people suffering from nonhealing wounds.
