Check out some of my favorite entrepreneurs who have impacted generations of business owners.These visionaries paved the way for motivated business professionals and continue to inspire me today. Unlock their secrets and use their visionary power to help your business soar.
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is an investor and internet entrepreneur who is known for owning the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. Cuban has also ventured into the high definition TV network where he is the chairman of HDNet a HD TV cable network. In 2003, he teamed up with broadcast.com partner Todd Wagner to launch another business called 2929 Entertainment which produces and distributes films and video. Recently, Cuban has received serious attention from his well-read blogs and writings.
Mark Cuban Biography
Mark Cuban's "Maverick" Stimulus Plan
Worst To First
Mark Cuban: America's Coolest Billionaire
Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell is most recognized for his abrasive comments on American Idol but it’s his savvy business success that makes him one of our visionaries. Cowell climbed the corporate ladder at BMG where he signed several successful acts for the company, selling more than 150 million records and 70 top-charting singles in the UK and United States. Cowells big time success began when he produced the show, Pop Idol in the UK which later led to the American version, American Idol. Cowell founded SYCOtv, in 2002 where they created the television shows American Inventor, America's Got Talent, and X-Factor.
Simon Cowell Biography
Simon Cowell: From Idol to Inventor
Serial Entreprenuer- How Simon Cowell Produced Success
Simon Cowell's Managerial Legacy
George Steinbrenner
George Steinbrenner was an entrepreneur, businessman and the owner of one of the most successful baseball teams of all time, the New York Yankees. He bought the Yankees in 1973 for $10 million which is a steal considering the Yankees are now worth an estimated $1.6 billion. The NYY aren’t the only successful long term investment Steinbrenner made, he also purchased the American Ship Building Co. and became its CEO in 1967. In later years, Steinbrenner used a "hands off" approach leaving his investments to be run by his sons. Steinbrenner passed away in 2010 but his legacy lives on.
George Steinbrenner Biography
10 Management Takes from The Life of George Steinbrenner- The Legendary Boss
What We Can Learn From George Steinbrenner's Legacy with the Yankees
George Steinbrenner's Contribution to the Business of Baseball
James Cash Penney
James Cash Penney (September 16, 1875-February 12, 1971) opened JC Penney retail store on April 14, 1902. JC Penny shaped his entire business based on “The Golden Rule” which was taught to him at age. He believed strongly in the company motto “Honor, Confidence, Service, and Cooperation.” Today, JC Penney stores are located in almost every town city and suburb across America. They continue to take pride in their commitment to serve their customers with the most enjoyable shopping experience and set honorable examples for other retailers around the world.
JC Penney Biography
JC Penney's Midas Touch: the "Golden Rule"
Financial Lessons From Yesteryears's Entrepreneurs: JC Penney
The Great Leaders Series: James Cash Penney, Founder of J.C. Penney
Warren Buffet
Warren Buffets drive and determination has made him one of the most successful investors in the world. Buffet is the primary shareholder, chairman and chief executive officer for
Berkshire Hathaway, where he invests in a variety of industries from insurance, utilities, apparel, food, building materials, jewelry and furniture retailers. Warren Buffett is also a generous and charitable philanthropist who has pledged to give away 99% of his fortune when he dies through the Buffet Foundation. His involvement has shaped the investment world and he continues to be acknowledged as an American icon.
Warren Buffet Biography
Five Timeless Lessons from Warren Buffet
Warren Buffet: Business Buyer
Advisor Marketing Lessons from Warren Buffet
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is a multitalented entrepreneur who has revolutionized the technology industry. He is the Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc. and is recognized for some of the most advanced computer, hardware, software, animation and music innovations. Steve Jobs began his career as the chief executive of Pixar Animation Studios and made headway as a board member of The Walt Disney Company. With his annual salary of $1, Steve Jobs maintains his commitment at Apple as society anticipates his next superior product.
Steve Jobs Biography
10 Presentation Tactics for Ad Agency New Business
The Hitmaker
Business Strategy and IT Strategy To Reproduce Apple Innovation
George Foreman
George Foreman is a victorious entrepreneur who began his career as an American boxer who was twice the world heavyweight champion. George Foreman received attention when he won 24 consecutive knockouts and seized the professional heavyweight belt by knocking out Joe Frazier. In 1994, George gained enormous recognition with his famous ‘
Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine’ which he tours the world to promote. He is also a television spokesperson for a number of additional products that he and his family have produced.
George Foreman Biography
Big Business with Big George
Celebrity Endorsements Reach for the Stars
Personal Branding Interview: George Foreman
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is considered one of America’s most influential women. After overcoming personal struggles at a young age, Oprah began her career as the first female African American news anchor and reporter for a local television station in Nashville Tennessee. Today, Oprah dominates the television talk show industry with "The Oprah Winfrey Show.” She is also an accomplished producer, founder of “O” the Oprah Magazine, and has numerous charities around the world. Oprah continues to enlighten her audience with her motivating words and uplifting wisdom.
Oprah Winfrey Biography
Oprah Winfrey and Your Leadership BrandPublic Speaking Skills: What We Can Learn From Oprah
The Business Of Being Oprah
Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig Inc. was founded in 1983 by Genevieve Guidroz, who changed her name to Jenny Craig. She began to formulate a dynamic plan for a weight lose program that would eventually become apart of a 60 billion dollar industry. Throughout Jenny Craig Inc. 25 years in business, the weight loss industry has become more competitive and advance. Jenny Craig continues to follow its “solid foundation” with an effective weight loss management program that shapes the lives of those seeking a healthier lifestyle.
Jenny Craig Biography
Jenny Craig Pursues Life Event Marketing
How Jenny Craig Turned a Weight Problem into a Business Colossus
The Weight Management Service Company Earns Electronic Retailer's Direct to Consumer Marketer of the Year Honors
Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas (July 2, 1932- January 8, 2002) is known as the founder, father and friend of Wendy’s fast food chain. On November 15, 1969 Dave made his dream come true when he opened the first Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. Recognized for his successful old fashion hamburger ads and grandfatherly image, Dave has created a successful brand which continues to thrive in the fast food industry. Dave’s legacy not only lives on through his business, but through his motivating words, powerful values, and inspiring actions.
Dave Thomas Biography
The Savory Taste of Succes Thomas' Rise to the Top
Dave Thomas' 9 Tips for Investigating a Franchise
Lessons from Wendy's Founder Dave Thomas
Bill Hewlett & Dave Packard
In 1939, Bill Hewlett (May 20, 1913 – January 12, 2001) and Dave Packard (September 7, 1912- March 26, 1996) established the Hewlett- Packard Company. They met as undergraduate engineers at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California and continued their friendship during the 57 years they spent building their enterprise. HP landed its first major deal in 1940 when Walt Disney Company ordered eight Model 200B oscillators that they manufactured inside Packard’s famous garage. Today, HP is the world’s largest technology company which provides innovative products and services to more than one billion consumers.
Founder Bios: Bill Hewlett
Dave Packard Biography
William Hewlett & David Packard: Maverick Managers
Dave Packard's 11 Simple Rules
Founding Fathers
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is an entrepreneur who turned her passion for cooking, gardening and home keeping into a hugely successful enterprise that reflects her own lifestyle. Beginning in 1972 when she opened her first business, Martha Stewart has used her branding, advertising, administration and strategy skills to promote her now famous videos, TV shows, books, seminars, and countless products. Stewart has been recognized for her business prowess through many awards including having twice been named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women" by Fortune Magazine. She is said to be “the definitive American woman of our time” and is continually developing her business strategy.
Martha Stewart Biography
Learning From Martha: 10 Rules for Starting a Business
The Martha Stewart Brand is Transcending the Person
Putting Yourself in Customer's Shoes is a Must
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the popular social networking site Facebook. Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook with Harvard classmates Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, and Chris Hughes while attending college. He is currently one of the youngest billionaires in the world with personal wealth of $4 billion in 2010 due to his 24% share of Facebook.
Photo Courtesy of (CC) Brian Solis, www.briansolis.com / bub.blicio.us / CC-BY
Founder Bios: Mark Zuckerberg
An Interview with Mark Zuckerberg, May 28, 2010
Facebook's Zuckerberg Says The Age of Privacy is Over
Four Lesson From Billionaire College Entrepreneurs
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an iconic American entrepreneur, entertainer, film producer, animator, international icon, director, screenwriter, voice actor, and philanthropist. After bankrupting his first studio, Laugh-O-Grams, Disney and his brother moved to Hollywood to create Disney Brothers Studio, which would later become Walt Disney World Productions. Walt Disney is the namesake for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the United States, as well as the resorts worldwide. For anyone, much less a high school drop out, Disney’s success is awe inspiring. In his own words,”If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Walt Disney: A Biography
What Time Is The 3 o'clock Parade?
Sustaining Innovation: Walt Disney Instilled How The Key is Managing The Process
Make Your Workplace a Magic Kingdom: Business Lessons From Walt Disney