Quantum Health, LLC. was founded in 1999 by Kara Trott to help self-insured employers reduce health-care costs. Over the past five years, Quantum Health has held participating employers annual cost increases to just 5 percent to 6 percent, approximately one-third of the national average. Quantum has grown over the past few years and currently employs 40 people.

When asked how the business had affected her life, Trott responded "What life?" She said she has devoted long hours to making the business successful, but as a result of an SBA loan she has been able to hire some key people and this allows her to live a slightly more normal life.

When asked what made her business successful she said "optimism and perseverance mixed with a dose of realism."

Her advice to those thinking about going into business: "Make sure you are passionate about what you want to do."