InBusinessLasVegas: 

Frank Yoder Jr. has been captivated by computers since he first laid hands on the keys of the clunky TI-99 he picked up in 1982. His intrinsic attraction to hardware and software ultimately cemented his professional aspirations.

Yoder, who has a degree in computer science, also has the entrepreneurial bug, which he inherited from his father, who owned myriad businesses from a mortgage brokerage to a bakery to a Christmas tree lot.

He founded AIS in Virginia Beach, Va., in 1987, just one year after graduating. The company’s original focus was contract programming, which entailed custom software development and building programs. Since then, AIS has diversified its services in keeping with the fast pace of the information technology field, and has grown from a fledgling solo operation to an established local industry leader with 21 employees.

AIS has also doubled in gross revenue since last year, and will gross about $5 million in 2007, according to Yoder, who attributes the company’s growth spurt to diversification. Customer service is also of paramount importance in running a successful business, as any entrepreneur should know.

“One of the things we have done is always place the customer first,” he said. “Larger corporations that have hundreds or thousands of employees are not able to do what smaller companies can do, which is to pay close attention to the needs of the customer. My advice first and foremost would be to always make sure the customer is happy and satisfied with the products or services your company is delivering because then you will get a good reputation and word-of-mouth will spread about your business and your business will grow.”