Top 150+ 2018: No. 195 The Pasta House
2017 revenue: $53.8 million
+1.5%
The Pasta House Co. saw its revenue grow 1.5 percent year-over-year primarily due to an increase in catering, the success of the company’s happy hour, text messaging special offers and its late-night business, according Chief Financial Officer, John Harris.
The catering company, owned by Kim Tucci and Joe Fresta, added several new off-site catering venues to its offering, including La Perla, Chatillon-De Menil House, the Museum of Transportation and Neo on Locust.…
Berko: GoPro has burned many investors and its outlook is not looking good
Dear Mr. Berko: On your advice, I didn't buy stock in GoPro in 2015, when it was trading at $56. And about a year later, it fell to $8. But as it recovered and rose to $16, my stockbroker had me buy 1,000 shares. It immediately fell to $10. I sold it and took a 6-point loss. Now it's about $5, and he's advising me to buy another 1,000 shares. We both think it has finally hit the bottom. What do you think?
Also, what do you think of Southern Co., an electric utility that you recommended when it was…
Four Cincinnati chefs to watch
The renaissance of Over-the-Rhine and resurgence of downtown has reshaped Cincinnati’s urban core in many ways, but especially its culinary scene. Hungry upstart chefs started making names for themselves, each opening multiple restaurants in the core. Names like David Falk, Daniel Wright, Cristian Pietoso and Jose Salazar have joined luminaries like Jean-Robert de Cavel.
Clifton artist’s work to be exhibited at Auschwitz
Anna Socha VanMatre creates powerful, unforgettable art. She works with synthetic paper, graphite layering and three-dimensional techniques, such as cut or torn canvases.
Her latest masterpiece also has the tears that fell while she worked.
VanMatre’s “To Those Who Warn…” traces the journey of terror experienced by the victims of Nazi atrocities. The installation, three panels totaling more than 70 feet in length, will be exhibited May 25-June 20 at the International Youth Meeting Centre…
Top 150+ 2018: No. 119t Milestone Equipment Holdings LLC
2017 revenue: $170 million
+15.6%
Milestone Equipment Holdings LLC continued solid growth of the past few years, growing the transportation equipment leasing and asset management business last year, said President and CEO Don Clayton. He added that a separate chassis business grew even faster. Milestone specializes in motor carrier equipment and rail industry intermodal assets.
“We have expanded our nationwide equipment leasing and rental platform by investing in new locations and building our…
Top 150+ 2018: No. 122 CarShield
2017 revenue: $164.3 million
+16.7%
CarShield, which sells extended auto repair service contracts, had a successful year in 2017 with the help of a high-performing staff.
Notably, CarShield’s current group of employees has broken sales records several times through the past year. CarShield management credits part of the improvement to the addition of new team members in the past year.
“We have expanded our employee base and brought a lot of great new people into our CarShield family,” Office…
Why Austin VC firm Silverton Partners seems to have a midas touch
Since January, WP Engine Inc., SpareFoot Inc., YouEarnedIt Inc. and Watermark all agreed to be acquired by or receive major investments from private equity firms. Silverton was an early investor in all four and successfully exited or significantly lowered its stake in the companies, reaping untold millions in rapid succession. The firm's principals spoke to ABJ about how they come up with their investment strategy.
Top 150+ 2018: No. 141 Arch Equity Partners
2017 revenue: $133.76 million
+11%
Arch Equity Partners, a private equity firm, increased revenue 11 percent in 2017 as its mix of business changed.
For example, among its portfolio companies, Chandler Industries, a manufacturer of machined components, offset declines in oil and gas customers with increases in aviation and medical. EMI, which designs, manufactures and installs custom material handling equipment, and Kenroy Home, a lighting and home accessory company, both increased business due…
800 is the key mark for Buffalo SBA office
Seven months into the fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, lenders approved 480 government-guaranteed loans through the 7(a) program. That’s down nearly 7 percent from the same time last year during which 516 loans were approved.
Top 150+ 2018: No. 152 Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
2017 revenue: $119.1 million
+23%
When Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. was founded 10 years ago, it had just one employee. Now, the financial services firm has more than 500, spans over 26 states and recently added its 68th branch.
“We have a full plate,” said Tad Edwards, chairman, president and CEO.
Edwards attributes the substantial growth in 2017 to new financial advisers, ramped-up business of recently hired advisers and an increase in assets under management of existing financial…