Susan Jones had reached the second highest post possible at a Cincinnati advertising agency when she started to feel out of sync with the agency’s direction. So she resigned and started her own innovation firm, Seed Strategy, out of a home office in her barn. Today Seed Strategy, the Growth Acceleration Firm, is one of the nation's leading new product innovation firms, working with top brands all over the world.

1. Global reach:

   Seed conducts work on all 6 continents

2. Enduring innovation:

   80% of products Seed has helped bring to market over 12 years continue to flourish today

3. Lasting relationships:

   100% of new business comes from referrals

4. Passion project:

   Seed publishes a free digital magazine titled "The Fire Theft Project", which features conversations on creative fire

5. Unusual backgrounds:

   Former professions of Seed's diverse staff include rock journalist, cognitive psychologist and Top Gun pilot