Southwest Florida has 13 independent small businesses on Inc. magazine’s annual list of the fastest growing private companies in America.
With a median growth of 207% in three years, the combination of these ventures brought $378.8 million in total revenue and 411 jobs in 2019. Ten of them are repeat honorees in the annual Inc. 5000.
“Chomps made the Inc. 5000 list for the third year in a row,” said Karli Nutter, public relations manager for the Naples-based “all-natural” beef jerky operation that led the region and earned No. 717 from the periodical. “There’s a lot of consolidation happening within the meat snacks category right now, but Chomps remains profitable and self-funded, which is certainly unique.”
Co-founded in 2012 by then 30-year-old former personal trainer and CEO Pete Maldonado of Naples, a motto is “All stick, No ick” and its fans are called “Chompians.”
Last year, Maldonado nearly doubled his 2018 revenue of $21 million after rapidly evolving his products from a simply online enterprise to thousands of shelves across the nation including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Safeway and Whole Foods. The growth in the three years ending in 2019: 657%.
In Lee and Collier counties, the construction sector had the most representation. To qualify, an agency must have had a minimum of $2 million in revenue in 2019.
In its second appearance, Cape Coral-based Roman Roofing, Lee’s highest finisher and fifth in the area, reflected what happened in the building industry nationally as the number of roofers on the survey nearly doubled to more than 40. It received slot No. 1,581 from the publication, with 274% growth.
Financial services group Capital Wealth Advisors of Naples is marking its fourth consecutive year on the list with its No. 2,040 placement and 207% growth. CWA President and CEO Bill Beynon looks to better days ahead.
“As we all weather the storm of the coronavirus and the economic impact, we will continue to adapt to meet the needs of, not only our clients and team members, but also our communities,” Beynon said. “Our sector of the business community will play an integral role in re-growing our economy when this crisis passes.”
A total of 376 Florida outfits made the compilation, bringing in $12.3 billion in total revenue and 40,235 new employees. In the Sunshine State, 225 of the firms are returnees to the tally in the September issue of Inc.
Atlanta’s OneTrust, which focuses on software, led the U.S. with 48,337% growth in the three years. Florida’s No. 1 company and third overall comes from the health industry: Pensacola’s Lovell Government Services and its 40,899% surge.
Intuit, Under Armour, Microsoft and Patagonia are among the names that gained their first national exposure through the recognition.
Collier medical devices giant Arthrex made the list in 2011. But it’s so darn big now that it would be tough to show that kind of crazy growth year over year. For example, its $2.5 billion in 2018 revenues was a 25% increase, according to Fortune magazine. Not that anyone is complaining about those kind of sales numbers.
Naples-based Pyure Brands, a company known for organic sweetener stevia and a familiar name for those on Keto or similar diets, is among the rest of the locals in the following ranking that includes city, sector and growth:
- 768. Naples retail: The Coldest Water, 620%
- 1,216. Naples construction: Earth View, 370%
- 1,448. Naples real estate: Elite Auctions, 306%
- 1,974. Fort Myers construction: FP Property Restoration, 214%
- 2,462. Fort Myers logistics and transportation: Scotlynn USA Division, 167%
- 3,605. Naples food and beverage: Pyure Brands, 102%
- 3,788. Fort Myers media: Business View Publishing Inc., 95%
- 3,896. Fort Myers insurance: First Family Insurance, 91%
- 4,186. Fort Myers construction: MY Shower Door, 81%
- 4,704. Fort Myers manufacturing: AXI International, 64%
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