How MedLab International grew from an 8,000-dollar credit card to 160,000 square feet
MedLab International grew from a medical business started with only 8,000 dollars on a credit card, which paid for the website and the first inventory, with no outside investment. Its founder packed boxes, climbed warehouse racks for lack of a forklift and handled suppliers and customer support. The company moved from a 600-square-foot warehouse to a 160,000-square-foot operation and made the Inc. 5000 list.
The discipline at MedLab International was less about what came in than about what never left: no office, no large team and no outside experts bought to make the company look established before its first sale. Surplus went back into the business. The founder later hired only for jobs already done personally and put the Inc. 5000 plaques in a closet.
Source: Entrepreneur · October 27, 2026