Bright Shiny Objects

Toy entrepreneur Jon Capriola learns his biggest business lessons through lessening the load in his wallet.

Like the time a year or so ago when he hired two toy industry veterans. These were pros. People who would use marketing and sales experience to build new business lines at Capriola's firm, Sarasota-based Laser Pegs. The company sells a variety of lighted construction toys and kits, from helicopters to race cars to dinosaurs. Think high-tech Legos that stack up and slide together.

But the hires, says Capriola, brought a lot of ego and not much know-how. He paid them each six-figure salaries before he let them go. Then he hired young and hungry employees who he says wanted to become part of something unique and industry-disruptive. Not puff their chests. Those hires, he says, were gems.