Akvelon is named one of the fastest growing companies three years in a row, way to go team!
Puget Sound Business Journal announced that Akvelon was ranked #50 on the top 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Washington State list for 2015. The 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Washington state were honored at this sold out flagship event.
To make the list, companies must have recorded revenue of at least $500,000 in 2012 and demonstrated revenue growth through 2014. The firms are privately held during the reporting period and headquartered in Washington state. They cannot be subsidiaries of other companies. Also, the chief executive officer or chief financial officer must submit in writing — and personally vouch for — company revenues for the past three years.
This year we were able to interview with the Journal, about how our company has done so well.
We were asked some questions about out growth, from the Puget Sound Business Jounral. Here are some of our answers to their questions below.
Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ): What is your fastest-growing business expense (i.e. Rent, healthcare costs, wages, etc.)?
Sergei Dreizin (Founder and CEO): Our fastest growing business expense may shock you, but the biggest spending increase is mostly due to wages and whiskey, why? To keep the employees happy. I may be joking around with the whiskey (maybe not), but seriously, Akvelon is where it is today because of our employees. We wouldn’t be able to grow without them and we are very proud of their hard work. I am absolutely amazed with our team.
PSBJ: Since your company is growing so quickly, what are the biggest surprises you encountered with that?
SD: There are a lot of surprises in business, especially if that business is growing rapidly. I heard a great quote: “Surprises Are The New Normal; Resilience Is The New Skill”. The most persistent surprise is how fast start-up community has evolved in Seattle. It is astonishing how these companies have exploded and evolved with new ideas, people and technologies. The technology driving the scene is also shifting and we are shifting with it to on the leading edge enabling our client’s innovation and success. The vast growth is not only surprising, but fascinating to me. I love being a part of the community, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
PSBJ: Can you describe your company’s early days? (i.e. were you working from the garage, a closet, a bedroom “office”) How do conditions for your company compare today?
SD: My partner, CK and I started in 2000. We were still working at Microsoft at the time, and figured, well, let’s see what else we can do. We started like any other startup with late night coding sessions and soul searching for the exact niche we would thrive in. I remember laying on my living room floor often falling asleep on my keyboard. You never know how it’s going to work out, and we didn’t want to give up. Now, we have a large office in Bellevue, Washington, with several offshore offices in Eastern Europe! I like to say – when you work for yourself the highs are much higher and the lows are much lower.
PSBJ: What are the reasons your company is one of the fastest-growing in Washington state?
SD: We are asked this question a lot, and the first thing that comes to mind is a whole lot of luck! We worked hard to get where we are today, and I like to think we were at the right place at the right time making any place the right place. We invest and acknowledge our team, and we have always had an innovative, positive thinking, can do attitude. As I stated before, we wouldn’t be where we are today without our employees, and I could not be more appreciative of the dedication and team work they bring to the table.
Thank you to our amazing team, and our wonderful clients. We couldn’t be here without you!
More details here.