#11 Pro-Motion Technology Group From zero to $9.4 million in sales in just one year: See how they did it

#11 Pro-Motion Technology Group

Pro-Motion Technology Group went from zero to $9.4 million insales in one year. That's faster than you can say"audiovisual." The Wixom, Michigan, company headed byfounder, president and CEO Lynn Matson, 41, shows no signs ofslowing down. "This year, it's going to be $9.4 million to$22 million," she says. Pro-Motion provides audio, visual andinteractive solutions to retailers, restaurants and others acrossthe nation. Its clientele list includes heavy hitters like BallyTotal Fitness, Foot Locker and TGI Friday's.

Though the business is young, its history is lengthy. Matsonfounded a similar company in 1986, which was purchased and run intothe ground by an outside interest. In 2002, she picked up thepieces by buying the assets from the bank and set out to launchself-funded Pro-Motion at the start of 2003. "I had a verygood reputation with the clients in the field we dealt with,"Matson says. That reputation and a fierce focus on customersatisfaction helped her ramp up the business quickly.

In one year, Pro-Motion went from five to about 30 employees.The challenge of adding so much staff hasn't fazed Matson inthe least. "Business is so fundamentally easy if everybody isdoing [his or her] part. My role is to make sure that everybodyelse is fully entrenched in their roles and enjoying doing whatthey do." That philosophy is echoed in the colorful and homeyoffice where a casual work environment, music, and an on-staffmasseuse are the order of the day.

With a knowledgeable staff, an office building big enough tohandle huge growth, and its own product distribution center,Pro-Motion is poised to produce in 2004. "We think we'rethe best stock on the stock market, and we're not on the stockmarket," quips Matson. Her business has earned every bit ofthat confidence.