revolutionized the design industry by implementing a more efficient process for homeowners.
Launched in 2000, Robin Wilson Home, a New York City-based design firm, brings its efficiency expertise to clients through project management-the core of the company. Besides identifying overinflated estimates and holding contractors accountable, the firm works with the clients to pre-plan projects as well as uses a customized Web-based construction management software. With four full-time employees, Wilson aims for profits of more than $1 million by year-end.
In addition, the 37-year-old also offers consumers The Nest Store (www.the neststore.com), an online marketplace offering eco-friendly and eco-healthy signature furniture pieces and home décor, made from a variety of materials including concrete, organic cotton, and mango wood. Though launched in January, the site already averages 9,000 hits per month. Wilson hopes to see the Nest Store’s sales grow to at least $250,000 for its first year.
Inspired By Media Group Inc.
TYPE OF BUSINESS Faith-based products and services
PRESIDENT/CEO Ron Belk
LOCATION North Hollywood, CA
www.inspiredby.com
Ron Belk and his team oversaw an ambitious undertaking-making the Bible come alive. With the help of nearly 400 of the most celebrated black actors, actresses, musicians, media personalities, and clergy, Inspired By Media Group produced a fully dramatized audio recording of the Today’s New International Version (TNIV) of the Bible.
Created in partnership with Zondervan Books, one of the biggest names in Christian publishing, Inspired By…The Bible Experience offers listeners an eloquent, spiritual journey with the help of Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, and Cuba Gooding Jr., among others, who lent their voices to the project. Besides offering both the Old and New Testaments on CDs, The Bible Experience is available in a MP3 version, on pre-loaded iPods or as a downloadable files.
The 10-employee company saw sales of $12 million in 2007 and anticipates $18 million for 2008 from The Bible Experience alone, which is already the No. 1 selling audio Bible in history. Belk, 37, has plans to reach a wider audience in the years ahead by launching The Bible Experience in several forms including a collection of digitally animated stories, a video game, and a rendition of the project with notable Hispanic celebrities.
Nerjyzed Entertainment Inc.
TYPE OF BUSINESS Digital entertainment, media development and publishing
PRESIDENT/CEO Jacqueline Beauchamp
LOCATION Baton Rouge, LA
www.nerjyzed.com
Thanks to Jacqueline Beauchamp’s Nerjyzed Entertainment, eager fans don’t have to wait for fall to enjoy the HBCU football experience. Black College Football Xperience captures the heart of this culture with everything from action-packed football to high-stepping drum majors to soul-stirring band battles. Founded in 2003, Nerjyzed Entertainment publishes high-quality digital animation, video games, and films for the urban market segment.
Feeling a need to address the lack of video games featuring black colleges, Beauchamp, 45, and three colleagues raised the $8 million needed for startup capital to launch the company. The Black College Football Xperience enjoys considerable success in the home PC gaming sector. Revenues for 2007 were $2 million. Nerjyzed Entertainment is positioning Black College Football Xperience as a unique game on the market. Its subsidiaries include Nerjyzed Game Studios, Nerjyzed Film