Sweetwater Sound helps musicians and recording engineers make sweet music. The music technology retailer sells professional recording and live sound equipment, musical instruments (guitars, basses, keyboards, and drums), computers and software, and accessories through its website and catalogs. Manufacturers include Roland, Yamaha, and Kurzweil. The company was founded in 1979 by Chuck Surack as a four-track recording studio. The retail division grew out of Surack's need for a source for affordable, high-quality gear. Sweetwater Sound moved into its new corporate headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2006. The following year, it acquired music retailer Lentine's Music from GE Capital for $4.5 million.

Founded by Samuel Silverman in 1912, today jewelry chain Ben Bridge Jeweler operates more than 70 stores in a dozen mostly western states, including Alaska and Hawaii. The company sells platinum, 14- and 18-karat gold jewelry, diamonds, watches, and bridal and anniversary fare from its mall-based stores and Web site. Ben Bridge married Silverman's daughter in 1922, bought out his father-in-law, and renamed the company after himself. Still run by the Bridge family, the company became a subsidiary of billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway in 2000.

Alvarez Lincoln-Mercury began when president Ramon Alvarez, the son of a family from Tijuana that founded Baja California's first airline, purchased floundering Riverside Lincoln-Mercury in 1996 and renamed it. Within months the dealership was at the top in sales for the region after tapping into the Hispanic market.As its name implies, Alvarez Lincoln-Mercury sells new Lincolns and Mercurys, but also high-end car make Jaguar through its dealership in Riverside, California. The dealership also sells many models of used cars. Its Web site lets visitors search inventory, price cars, arrange for a service appointment, order parts, and apply for financing.

Launched by Mike Van Dalsum, Sr. in 1988, Oasis Imaging Products has been serving the toner cartridge remanufacturing industry for the past 21 years. Oasis is one of the most recognized names in the industry. INC. Magazine named Oasis Imaging Products the 15th fastest growing, privately owned company in the United States in 1994 and 1995. Today, under the leadership of Mike Van Dalsum, Jr., Oasis provides our customers with high quality products, competitive pricing, accurate technical support, prompt and inexpensive shipping, as well as a continuing dedication to product development.

In 1959, William Jacobs started Columbus Fair Auto Auction based on excellent customer service and fairness. He recognized that auctions offered a solution to automobile dealers' needs for a source and marketplace for used motor vehicles.Obviously, the financial risk of leasing space at the Ohio State Fairgrounds to run a one-lane auction in 1959 was small, but significant for this startup entrepreneurial endeavor. It, however, pales in comparison to the present multi-million dollar investment in today's 85-acre facility in Obetz. However, the original strategy of offering a marketplace for used vehicles where buyers and sellers would congregate for the benefit of both continues today.

Cascio Music Company, Inc (aka Interstate Music or CIM) sells musical instruments, audio and lighting equipment, sheet music, recording software, DVDs, accessories, and more at its 30,000-square-foot superstore in New Berlin, Wisconsin and online. CIM sells, rents, and repairs all types of instruments, offers music lessons, and has an in-store 48-track digital recording studio for use by bands and other groups. The company supports local budding musicians with free clinics and scholarships along with its "Local Music Showcase." Founded in 1946 by WWII vet Frank Cascio, the company added its mail order department in 1970 to deliver musical instruments to rural school band leaders.

Founded in 1891, Texas-based Samuels Jewelers was acquired by India's Gitanjali Gems Ltd., a jewelry maker and retailer, in late 2006. In addition to diamonds and gemstones, Samuels Jewelers knows something about millstones -- the bankruptcy kind (it has been thrice drawn into bankruptcy court since the early 1990s). Samuels sells fine jewelry items through about 85 jewelry stores in California, Texas, and about 15 other states; stores are primarily located in regional shopping malls, power centers, and strip centers. Samuels also operates some stand-alone stores and sells jewelry online at SamuelsJewelers.com. Its stores operate under the Samuels Diamonds and Samuels Jewelers banners.

The Millcraft Group was founded in 1920 by Harold Keil, whose family still owns the company. The Mlakar family (including chairman Katherin and president and CEO Chuck) is related to Keil by marriage. The Millcraft Group pushes more than just envelopes. The company distributes fine commercial paper and envelopes through its operations in Ohio, Michigan, and about five other states. It also sells paper and graphic supplies through about five Millcraft Paper stores in Ohio and Michigan. The company's Deltacraft Converting business cuts paper to customer specifications while its Millcraft Express Envelope unit produces custom envelopes in a range of shapes and sizes.

Braman Management Association dealerships, most of which operate under the Braman name, sell upscale makes such as Acura, AUDI, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce; it also sells new Hondas and Mitsubishis and a variety of used cars. Each Braman location offers parts and service departments. Owner and CEO Norman Braman, who once owned the Philadelphia Eagles, formed Braman Management in 1972.It's no bull to say that Braman Management sells cars fit for Brahmans. Braman Management operates dealerships in Greenacres, Miami, and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Denver, Lakewood, and Littleton, Colorado

Helzberg Diamonds is into hard rocks. Helzberg Diamonds sells a wide selection of diamonds and precious gems -- mostly set into rings, but also set into other jewelry; Helzberg Diamond Shops also sells men's and women's watches. One of the largest national jewelry chains, Helzberg Diamonds operates about 235 stores nationwide. The mall-based chain also sells jewelry online. Helzberg Diamonds was founded in 1915 by Morris Helzberg and remained in his family until 1995, when it was acquired by investment guru Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (owner of jewelry chains Ben Bridge Jeweler and Borsheim's). Helzberg Diamonds offers a 60-day return or exchange option and free jewelry repairs for 12 months after purchase.

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