Ralph Costen started a business in 1948 with 10 employees supplying hardwood floors. Today, as management control passes to the third generation, Costen Floors has more than 100 employees who install not only hardwood floors but carpet, ceramic tile and laminate.

The company's floors can be found everywhere from the Virginia Governor's mansion to the Dave Matthews Band's recording studio, from Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center to Virginia Military Institute's Cameron Hall.

Costen Floors is the prototypical family enterprise. Leadership has passed from Ralph to his son Ralph Jr., and later this year it will pass again to 34-year-old Ralph III. The Costen wives have been integral to the success of the company as well, running the back office operations, reports Lisa Antonelli Bacon for the Times-Dispatch in today's Metro Business.

Two secrets to Costen Floor's success can be gleaned from the story. First, the Costens stand behind their product 100 percent:  "Do quality work for a fair price and the customers will come." Second, they treat their employees like family. When recessions hit, everyone shares the pain. In the past, the company has cut the work week to four days and everyone has kept their job. The average employee has worked for the company 17.5 years.