Brian Scudamore is founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, North America's largest junk-removal service with more than 281 franchise partners. The firm is a three-time member of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies, the PROFIT 100.

Cumulo Nimbus is proprietor of Nimbus Co., an occasionally successful manufacturer in a city known only as Slug Flats. Cumulo faces the same problems as most entrepreneurs: focusing his business, building sales, dealing with difficult people, and honing his management and leadership skills before he sinks the place.

Derek Gagné is president of Vancouver-based Talent Edge Solutions (www.talentedgesolutions.com), which helps clients develop integrated talent and knowledge management strategies to retain and increase the performance of top talent. His column on human resources appears exclusively in PROFIT-Xtra.

Greig Clark is the founder of College Pro Painters and the Horatio Enterprise Fund. He is currently a strategic adviser to seven entrepreneurial companies in the Toronto area.

Ian Portsmouth is the editor and associate publisher of PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success . He has won several awards for his business writing, including three National Magazine Award nominations. Ian is also the editor of Marketing Masters: The Best Ideas of Canada's Savviest Marketers and is a frequent media commentator on the management issues and best practices of Canadian growth companies.

Jeff Dennis is a serial entrepreneur and president of Toronto-based Cale Financial Corp., which provides strategic advice and financing to fast-growth companies. He is also a co-author of Lessons from the Edge: Survival Skills for Starting and Growing a Business.

Jim Carroll is a futurist and writes about trends and innovation for Canadian Business Online. He is based in Mississauga, Ont.(www.jimcarroll.com).

Kelly the Intern is a recent MBA grad. She's also the smart, resourceful(and low-paid)employee you wish you had to tackle urgent research requests or satisfy your curiosity about the esoteric aspects of doing business. Let PROFIT put Kelly to work for you. Send your questions to Kelly@PROFIT.rogers.com

Dominic Rubinois a Vancouver-based sales and management trainer. As executive vice-president of FocalPoint International, he is the global franchisor of a business-coaching program based on the content and methodologies of leading coach and author Brian Tracy. His column on sales appears exclusively in PROFIT-Xtra.