Co-Founder Amy Langer Tops the List of 50 High Performers in U.S. and Canada

MINNEAPOLIS, October 26, 2007 Five year-old staffing firm SALO, LLC ascended once again to the national stage with the announcement today that the company has been named the Number # 1 fastest growing women-led business in the U.S. and Canada by Entrepreneur Magazine and the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO). In August, SALO was named to the "Inc. 500 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies."

In August, 2007 Entrepreneur and the WPO embarked on their inaugural three-month search for the Top 50 North American women-led businesses. Each company had to meet exacting criteria established by both groups. The primary goal of the program, according to the WPO, was to highlight the economic impact and success of women-led businesses in the U.S. and Canada. According to WPO founder Marsha Firestone, "We were successful: the Top 50 alone generated a combined $2.8 billion in 2006 sales up from $810 million in 2002 and employed nearly 12,000 individuals."

In awarding the top honor to SALO, Entrepreneur and the WPO acknowledged the stunning growth trajectory that has accompanied SALO since it was founded in 2002 by Amy Langer and John Folkestad. In its first full year, SALO reported earnings of $55,000. By 2006, revenue jumped to $32.1 million, with SALO on track to top $42 million this year. Langer and her partner Folkestad discovered an unmet need in the Minneapolis/St. Paul marketplace to provide top finance and accounting talent on an interim or project basis. To attract "A" talent, SALO devised a unique business model that included the benefits of a permanent position with the flexibility of a consultancy. SALO's market insight and execution were flawless and perfectly timed. The result: a spectacularly successful company that is poised for continued growth in this and other professional staffing niches.

Langer, who said she continues to be surprised by the consistent recognition that SALO receives, offered this comment on why she believes the company has done so well: "Having a clear vision and really working on the business rather than in the business has made quite a difference. I always ask myself: "where are you really needed?" before deciding how to allocate my time," she explained.

Ranking the Top 50

Entrepreneur and the WPO established specific criteria for companies to be considered in their rankings. To be eligible for the ranking, the Top 50 businesses were required to be privately held, women-led companies in the U.S. or Canada and have reached revenue of at least $1 million in 2006. All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula that combined percentage and absolute growth. From this list, the Top 50 were selected. All 50 companies will be honored at a special event with the WPO in New York on December 3.

Minnesota Grows Business Owned/Led by Women

According to the Center for Women's Business Research, Minnesota has a good share of women owned businesses. As of 2006, the Center projected an estimated 199,540 privately held, 50% or more women-owned firms in Minnesota, generating more than $35 billion in sales and employing 208,134 people. These businesses account for over 40% of all privately held companies in the state. In July, 2007, the National Women's Business Council, the chief advisory panel to the US President and Congress on economic issues important to women business owners, reported that the number of women-owned businesses continues to grow at twice the rate of all U.S. firms. Further, the Council said that the economic influence of women-owned businesses is increasing at speeds exceeding the national average.

About Entrepreneur Media Inc.

Entrepreneur Media Inc. is the premier content provider for and about entrepreneurs. Its products engage and inspire every day with the advice, solutions and resources that fuel the bold and independent way entrepreneurs think.

After 30 years, nobody reaches more growing businesses. As the original magazine for the small and midsize business community, Entrepreneur continues to be the definitive guide to all the diverse challenges of business ownership. Entrepreneur.com is the most widely used website by entrepreneurs and emerging businesses worldwide. Entrepreneur Press publishes the books that turn entrepreneurial skills into business success. To learn more, visit www.entrepreneur.com.

About Women Presidents' Organization

The Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) locally and internationally connects top women entrepreneurs at the million and multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success. In monthly meetings across the US and Canada, chapters composed of 20 accomplished women presidents from diverse industries and backgrounds invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit www.womenpresidentsorg.com.

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