Neil Balter started his first company, California Closets, with just a small van and a single set of tools. Within 10 short years, Balter grew his one-man operation to nearly 100 franchise locations in six countries; gross sales hit $70 million in 1989 before Williams-Sonoma Inc. acquired the franchise. Balter continues to push the limits in product manufacturing and technology innovation with his current company, Organizers Direct, which was founded in 1992. organizersdirect.com