When Chris Reed decided it was time to enlist some investors to fuel the expansion of his fast-growing soft drink company, he wasn’t willing to part with all of the management control that perspective venture partners required. Instead, Reeds Inc. would become listed on the New York Stock Exchange and sell shares to the public – a decision the firm’s founder and CEO has never once regretted. Join us as Chris retraces the steps that empowered Reeds Inc. to grow into a $50 million firm inside the always competitive soft drink market.

Jack Sweeney is editor in chief of Middle-Market Executive. He is the former editor in chief of Business Finance Magazine and recent editorial director for The CFO Alliance. Jack was the founding editor of Consulting magazine today owned by Bloomberg L.P. He served as editor of Integration Management and Washington Technology, both published by The Washington Post Cos. He can be reached at jack.sweeney@middlemarketexecutive.com.