Diana Nelson

President and chief executive officer, Kazoo & Co. and KazooToys.com

• "Don't look at growing your business through multiple store locations."

"I have several mentors who are in the toy business and two in particular gave me the advice when I was ready to expand," Nelson said. "I listened and took the business to the Internet in 1999."

Nelson said the toy company has grown significantly in the past nine years, and she attributes its success to taking the company online, making it global and providing great customer service - in the store and on the Web site.

"KazooToys.com is now the exclusive online toy store for the military," she added. "Our continuous growth has provided me and my staff with a great sense of stability.