J Willard Marriott

Marriott started his career with an A&W root beer stand which led to a successful career in the food service and restaurant business.  He was one of the first to supply food to airlines for its passengers.  If that wasn’t enough at the age of 57 he opened his first hotel.  With a combination of hard work and motivation, J. Willard Marriott created a worldwide hospitality empire. 

Why did J.W. Marriott's employees call him the "big tamale"?

Robert Maxwell

Maxwell dreamed of becoming a great media mogul. In the late 1980's his wealth was estimated to be $1.4 billion dollars. But his mysterious death at sea lead to shocking revelations.



Why did Robert Maxwell always smell of Bay Rum?

Current DateTime: 01:43:10 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 33089570

• The media magnate went from success to a mysterious death 

The Perdue Family

The Perdue Family created a poultry dynasty, turning a backyard egg business into a multi-million dollar poultry corporation.  Started by Arthur Perdue in 1920, the family business was simple -- selling table eggs. His son Frank saw a bigger picture, and with his direction, made Perdue Farms well known for high quality boiler chickens. Frank Perdue’s television commercials, which conveyed honesty, dedication and quality, appealed to the masses. Frank’s son Jim today continues the family legacy.

What was Perdue's relationship with the Tyson family?

Current DateTime: 01:43:10 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 34806179

• Web Extra: Read Frank Perdue's Ethical Will
• How Perdue became a household name 

Ron Popeil

This smiling and upbeat TV pitchman became a household name for selling kitchen gadgets. But Popeil's success didn't come easily. Abandoned by his parents at age three, Popeil spent most of his formative years facing a lot of emotional pain. But it was precisely his misfortune that drove him to become successful.

What's Ron Popeil's secret to becoming a legendary pitchman?

Ferdinand Porsche

Ferdinand Porsche, aka Herr Professor Doktor Porsche, was an Austrian engineering genius.  Porsche was ahead of his time; in the early 1900s he created the first hybrid car.  He dreamed of making a People's car -- small and affordable -- and with some guidance from Henry Ford, he succeeded.  Hundreds of Volkswagens were produced in Germany, laying the roadwork for his son Ferry to make the family name famous.

How did Porsche's partnership with Hitler influence the design of this cars?

Current DateTime: 01:43:11 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 34692606

• Slideshow: The Most Desirable Porsches
• The history of the Porsche 911 

Rachael Ray

A small town girl dreamed of the bright lights in New York City and found a chance of a lifetime.  With Rachael Ray’s passion for food and exposure on television in a few years she became a well known chef, television personality and author.

How did Oprah help to jumpstart Rachel Ray's career?  

Current DateTime: 01:43:11 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 33089564

• How Rachael Ray got her shot 
• The Oprah Effect

The Rockefellers

John D. Rockefeller came from humble beginnings, but that changed in the 1880s when he took a risk in the oil business and became the founder of Standard Oil Corporation. That risk lead to the multi-billion-dollar fortune that allowed generations of Rockefellers to make a huge difference in America as philanthropists, realtors and politicians.

What was the greatest gamble of John D. Rockefeller Jr's career?

Current DateTime: 01:43:12 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 34747524

• How John D. Rockefeller built his empire 

Colonel Sanders
(Photo: John Parra|WireImage|Getty Images)

Harland Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders, created one of the most recognizable fast-food franchises in the world. But turning Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC as it is known today, into a venerable success wasn't easy. By age 65, Sanders mastered the blend of 11 herbs and spices for his fried chicken recipe, and with his dedication and great marketing skills, he became an international fast-food industry icon.

How did Harland Sanders become "The Colonel"?

Current DateTime: 01:43:12 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 35316433

• How Harland Sanders transformed into Colonel Sanders 

Howard Schultz & Starbucks

When the founders of Starbucks met Howard Schultz, they had no idea that he would transform their business. The appliance salesman from New York took the small gourmet coffee shop started in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev Siegl, and turned it into the international coffeehouse chain it is today.

How did a small Seattle store that sold only coffee beans become a worldwide brand?

Sears

In 1886, a Minnesota railroad agent Richard Sears came across some fast cash and an idea to market products that people needed. That great idea and excellent marketing strategy was the start of Sears becoming a billion dollar retailing giant.

How much did the Sears catalog weigh?

Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas lived an unhappy and underpriviledged childhood but his burning ambition lead him to the American dream.  His marketing genius made Wendy's one of the country's most successful fast food restaurant chains. 


How did Colonel Sanders make Dave Thomas a multi-millionaire? 

Current DateTime: 01:43:13 29 May 2012
LinksList Documentid: 33089573

• Colonel Sanders was just the beginning for Dave Thomas 
• Big Mac: Inside the McDonald's Empire

Sam Walton

Sam Walton was America’s bargain basement billionaire. His secret to success was deceptively simple…sell things cheaper, much cheaper. More than a decade after his death, his legacy lives on --- Walmart, his discount empire, is still the world’s largest retailer.

What was Sam Walton's first job in retail, paying him $75 month?