Mining Gold From Rules
Just as every fire has a firefighter who is paid to put it out, someone makes money from every new rule. For these three businesses, "regulation" is just another word for opportunity.
By Ian Mount

(FORTUNE Small Business) – Integrated Healthcare Systems: This Kent, Wash., company was founded in 2002 to sell bar-code-labeling equipment to hospital pharmacies, but it wasn't until the FDA mandated bar codes in 2004 that sales took off. Co-founder James Torina says that his client base of 50 should double in 2005 and again in 2006.

Vista 360: This Milwaukee firm's revenues doubled last year after an SEC ruling required mutual funds to develop written SEC compliance policies, a compliance officer, and annual reviews--all of which Vista helps provide. The firm has since opened a new office in Chicago.

Socrates Media: This Chicago publisher of do-it-yourself legal kits can be forgiven for rejoicing at April's new bankruptcy laws. Because many debtors would rather file for bankruptcy before the rules go into effect in October, sales of its $27.95 bankruptcy kit rose 42% between April and May. "We feel the effects of new regulations immediately," says CEO Bill Lederer. "Every time a legislator wants to change a law, a bell goes off here." --IAN MOUNT