Matt and Lindsay Barron founded Gigglebytes in San Marcos, Texas, in 1996 after realizing there was a lack of educational computer programs for children. With Lindsay’s teaching experience and Matt’s sales and marketing skills, they created the system and sold it to preschools, day-care centers and after-school programs. In 1997, they changed the name from [...]

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AeroWest, formerly a division of West Chemical Products, manufactures, installs and maintains air fresheners and deodorizing dispensers for restrooms. AeroWest provides service through most of the United States.

Since 1955, Ledo has been making pizzas with a recognizable rectangular shape and thick-sliced pepperoni. Ledo’s more than 40 franchise locations offer East Coasters several appetizers; soups and salads; pastas such as portobello mushroom ravioli and chicken and broccoli; fettuccine Alfredo; burgers; submarine sandwiches; calzones and desserts.

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When founder Carol Kay Harsell’s dance studio tripled in size in a matter of months, she wondered why her preschool dance program enrollment wasn’t growing as well. After discussing the matter with CFO Bernard Friedman, Harsell realized the problem was that many young children were in child-care centers and preschools. When Friedman suggested they take [...]

Cruise Holidays, founded in 1984, was acquired by travel franchise ByeByeNow.com in 1999. When ByeByeNow.com filed for bankruptcy in early 2001, its assets were acquired by Carlson Travel Network Associates Inc. in bankruptcy court later that year. Following the acquisition, Carlson decided to relaunch Cruise Holidays as a cruise-only travel planning and booking brand.

Founded by Gerald Beyers in 1973, ABC Seamless provides homeowners with seamless siding sales and installation. Originally a general remodeler, today the company offers steel siding, rain gutter and window installations. In 1995, Beyers was inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.

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Bands used to be the only option for wedding entertainment. That began changing in the mid-1970s, about the time Gerald Maas founded Complete Music in Omaha, Nebraska. From his first performance at his sister’s wedding reception, Maas has seen his company expand into a nationwide operation.