Forbes has just published their list of top 100 small businesses for 2010. The list represents a wide range of goods and services from names you know and some you probably don’t. Despite the last five years’ worth of economic quagmire, these companies have not only maintained but grown. This week we’ll look at the top 20 firms publicly traded with sales less than $1 million and see how these small businesses stack up.  

• Medifast Based in Maryland, Medifast produces, distributes and sells weight management and disease management products. Sales reps are called “coaches” and successful program participants are invited to become coaches themselves.                   
• InterDigital Designer of digital and wireless technology solutions, the company holds 7,000 patents (that’s 23 per employee) and has a 43% net profit margin.              
• American Public Education APUS offers online postsecondary education with an emphasis on serving the needs of the military and public service communities.         
• Deckers Outdoor Deckers Outdoor Corporation started making sandals in 1973. They are designers, producers, marketers, and brand managers of quality footwear. Deckers has grown into an international company with three footwear brands – Teva, Simple and UGG Australia.    
• WebMD Health One of 23 new additions to the list, WebMD Health Corp. offers health information services to consumers, healthcare professionals, employers and health plans through public and private online portals and health-related publications.        
• NutriSystem The second weight management entry on the list, NutriSystem offers personalized weight loss programs via pre-packaged meal plans, individual counseling, and ongoing support for participants.              

 Read more about these companies and check out the rest of the top 100 small business list. Talk to your local FranNet consultant to find the right business for you and how to start a business.