Entrepreneur Magazine Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs

A tree expert who made sales calls by strolling through unfamiliar towns and striking up conversations with strangers on the street; a manufacturer of outdoor goods who insisted that his company's label be sewn into all clothing he made for the U.S. Army; a pair of inventors whose new electrical insulation material turned out to be a terrific waterproof laminate for all sorts of household and commercial surfaces: These are just a few of the 500-plus empire builders you'll meet in the Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs--men and women whose talent, drive, and ingenuity not only made their own dreams come true but also created lasting benefits for their industries, their nation, and, in many cases, the world.

This book profiles the most exciting and inspiring American entrepreneurs of the past two centuries, from legendary masters of the business world, such as F. W. Woolworth, Walter Percy Chrysler, and Arthur Andersen, to unsung heroes who sowed the seeds that blossomed into empires. These entrepreneurs made their marks in every conceivable industry, from postage meters to personal fitness, from retailing to recycling, from healthcare to heavy equipment. If their stories have a common theme, it is that there is no single pathway to success, nor a clear set of rules to follow to get there. Each of these entrepreneurs saw opportunities that others missed, responded quickly and effectively to changes in the market, and was willing to be unconventional when circumstances required.

Featuring personal background, tales from each entrepreneur's early struggles and eventual success, and the current status of the business empires these pioneers created, the Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs is an inspiration for those who wish to follow in the footsteps of giants and a valuable reference for researchers, students, and history buffs.

ENTREPRENEUR Magazine is the banner publication of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. It has the largest newsstand circulation of any business monthly with a total ABC-audited circulation of 510,000.

A deep well of information and inspiration

As you read about the more than 500 legendary entrepreneurs profiled in this encyclopedia, you'll learn a great deal about how each of these trailblazers carved a path to success. Many of the lessons that these entrepreneurs learned are timeless truths that can help you achieve success in your own entrepreneurial endeavors. You'll also discover that, for the vast majority of these heroes of free enterprise, success meant more than simply developing a superior product or service, building a solid company, and amassing a great fortune. Virtually every one of these entrepreneurs sought to help build a better world, both through the businesses they founded and through abiding personal commitment to their fellow citizens.

Compiled from thousands of sources in business, government, civic life, and academia, this encyclopedia presents an avalanche of information in an extremely user-friendly format, featuring two alphabetical indexes that make it easy to look up a specific company or an entrepreneur whose name may not appear in primary listings. More than 60 photographs bring you closer to many of the entrepreneurs and give you a sense of the environment in which they made their way.

After reading even a handful of these compelling profiles, you'll understand that entrepreneurship is more than an avenue through which ambitious people can accomplish their goals: It is a vocation that contributes texture, color, and strength to the fabric of American life and culture.

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