It's hard to believe it but many of today's large blue-chip stocks were once small, relatively unknown businesses.
In fact, many of today's top companies started from humble beginnings, perhaps operating from a single property and with no idea that "world domination" would occur over the next 30 years or so; businesses such as Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC), Westfield Group (ASX: WDC) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) spring to mind.
Of course, not even the entrepreneurial founders were aware that their companies would grow into global leaders when they first established their businesses, which highlights the fact that it's certainly no simple task for an outsider to pick these winning stocks. So, while there is certainly no guarantee that the following three little known stocks will go onto dominate their respective industries in Australia let alone on a global scale, it is important to be aware of small businesses with serious growth potential.
Ashley Services Group Ltd (ASX: ASH) is a recent addition to the ASX and while investors who received an allocation in the float are sitting on a profit, the share price hasn't torn away from the $1.66 IPO price. This could offer investors a reasonable entry price into the growing segment of vocational training.
Capitol Health Ltd (ASX: CAJ) has been on a fast growth trajectory as the healthcare firm that provides diagnostic imaging services expands its reach. This growth has also been reflected in its share price with the stock up around 1,100% over the past five years. Given the number of smaller players, Capitol appears to still have plenty of growth opportunities ahead of it.
Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) operates a global network of satellite communication services. As the world's demand for communications, data volumes and accessibility increases it's easy to imagine growing demand by customers. Clients include offshore oil rigs and media organisations.
