Businesses with a staff of 15 or under which have excelled in their field, punching above their weight and demonstrating passion, growth, and commitment. This was one of the most popular categories of all, with dozens of worthy entries vying for the shortlist.
Do1Web designer Do1 is based at 1000 Lakeside North Harbour, and offers services from logo design to iPhone applications for clients looking to improve market presence.
The embryo of today's firm was formed in the summer of 2000
by a 16-year-old, Ed Gain.He called companies almost randomly and asked to design their websites, and sold his first for just £25.
Based in Portsmouth, Do1 Studios Ltd was incorporated in 2005. Then, after a recruitment programme Do1 grew from a one-man outsourcing agency to a six-strong in-house team.
Recent projects include new websites for buiding firm R J Winnicott and a contract with Chicago giant midPhase.
GrasshopperFleur and Abigail Emery have come up a recipe for success – instant porridge!
The Solent sister act manufactures and sells organic snack in recycleable pots, and launched in August 2007.
Initially selling in delis and at a 'boutique' level, in September of this year, Waitrose began stocking the product, giving the duo access to a huge and potentially highly lucrative market.
The sisters are the only employees, and the company had a turnover last year of just £45,000, but their dynamism saw them win the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce's Mentor Magic top prize in November.
PiMS WorkspaceInterior workspace magician PiMS Workspace from Waterlooville fits-out and refurbishes offices.
Founded 11 years ago, the company bills itself as a cross between a real estate agent and removal firm, helping a company settle into a building and making the most of what can often be limited space.
With 13 employees, the firm is punching above its weight with a £3m-plus turnover last year, and £160,000-worth of profit – more than double the previous year's efforts.
Success stories include Southampton savings group Skandia UK. PiMS completed a contract to move the company from three multi-storey buildings in the city centre Skandia House, arranging offices by function instead of hierarchy, and consolidating the firm in two buildings, and renting Skandia Point back to the market at £400,000 per floor, per year.
NetbasicNetbasic, also shortlisted for Business of the Year, has recorded an astonishing growth in a short period.
Beginning with a staff of seven, and now at 14, the online marketing company specialises in financial services, and has gone from less than a quarter of a million turnover to almost £10m in four years, with websites including debt advice site trapped.co.uk
The company said one of its defining characteristics was that it treated employees as team members, not individuals, rewarding collective team effort far more highly than personal performance.
Solent CarpentryDefying the downturn in the hard-hit construction market, Solent Carpentry Services Ltd impressed judges with its stiff growth.
The company works on everything from loft conversions to plumbing and bricklaying, and recently moved to larger premises at Broadmarsh Business & Innovation Centre in Havant.
Founded in 2005 by Adam Gaylor and Mark Kingswell, the firm began its operations with no external financial backing, and through 'sheer determination' the business has grown from a 2006 turnover of £212,000 to an estimated £650,000 for 2008.
During 2008, the business acquired an extra three vans to take the total number of company vehicles to seven, and has scored an impressive 2009 order book. It has 12 employees – two directors, two administrative staff, and seven skilled labourers.
Thornham MarinaThornham Marina's seven-strong team is helmed by Jonny Boys, who took the firm over in 2004, and this year presided over a £381,000 business (as of March 2008) – up from £269,000 in 2004.
The steady growth is the culmination of years of effort in improving the marina's functionality and appeal.
It has installed a powerful sub-lift to raise and lower boats – one of the first UK companies to import the technology. And it is planning a £300,000 investment to replace all its existing pontoons, which it expects to have under way by 2009.
The marina, like all marine leisure enterprises, is facing choppy waters, but has done all it can – such as offering a free taxi service to customers within 20 miles of the marina – to win new custom, and keep old hands on board.
