Business: General contractor focused on residential projects in the western suburbs, ranging from $750,000 to $1.25 million; residential remodels costing $50,000 to $250,000; commercial construction of retail, office and medical facilities costing $1 million to $3 million, and commercial remodels and tenant build-outs at area malls costing $75,000 to $400,000.
Founded: 2005
Headquarters: Maple Plain
Website: www.gordon-james.com
Executive: Founder John Quinliven
Employees: 3
2008 revenue: $3.6 million, with 2009 yielding a gross of about $4.2 million
Quote: "I shake hands and sell deals. That's all I can do." -- Quinliven, talking about his inexperience in the construction field and why he hired two seasoned project managers to help him succeed
