Home Healthcare providers BrightStar Named Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Companies by Women Presidents Organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 27, 2010 -- CHICAGO, IL –BrightStar, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare and supplemental staff to medical facilities, has been ranked the No. 2 fastest-growing women-led company in the U.S., according to an annual ranking by trade group Women Presidents' Organization (WPO).

WPO, a trade group for multimillion-dollar women-owned businesses, determined its third annual Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Companies list using a formula that combines percentage revenue growth and absolute growth. To be eligible for the list, companies must be privately owned, women-owned or led, and have generated at least $2 million by year-end 2009, among other criteria. About 400 companies applied for inclusion on the list.

“It is an honor to be recognized for all of our hard work and determination in growing a brand especially one that I am extremely passionate about,” said Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-Founder of BrightStar. “I could not have done it with out the help of my advisor board and team. The best advice I can give is to surround yourself with people with experience that you don't have and learn from their past successes and failures – utilize these individuals to keep your positive energy centered on moving forward."

The list comes at a time when women-owned firms have grown in number but still lag behind male counterparts in terms of revenue. The number of female-owned companies grew 125% between 1982 and 2002, and women currently own 10.1 million firms or about 40% of all private companies in the U.S., according to the Center for Women's Business Research. Only 3% of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 million or more, compared with 6% of men-owned firms, the center estimates.

Founded in 2002, BrightStar is a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides a full continuum of care, from homecare to supplemental staffing for corporate clients such as hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors offices. In August 2005, BrightStar launched its franchising efforts, becoming the first franchising company in the United States to specialize in both medical and non-medical care and healthcare staffing. Today, BrightStar has grown from one company-owned store to over 160 locations in 31 states and will reach 400 franchise locations sold by the end of 2011. Through Sun’s leadership, BrightStar opens 7-12 territories each month and has experienced 811% system-wide revenue growth between 2006 and 2008.

“The market for our services is growing rapidly and will continue to grow over the next several decades,” states Sun. “Currently, 7,000 people a day turn 65. By 2030, one out of five people could be a potential client for a health care franchise.”

For more information about BrightStar please visit www.brightstarcare.com

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