Greatest Entrepreneurs of All Time
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Admiral Zheng He
1371-1433, China
Zheng He started on the path of becoming a great entrepreneur when he was captured and forced into Prince Zhu Di's corps of eunuch servants. When the prince became an emperor, he promoted Zheng He to admiral, with the goal of turning China into an imperial economic power. Zheng He set up vast fleets, battled pirates, set up trading routes and brought back treasures.
Next: Ben Franklin -
Courtesy Getty Images
Ben Franklin
1706-1790, United States
Ben Franklin is a great example of the American entrepreneurial spirit. Starting as a print shop apprentice, Ben Franklin eventually published the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper as well as 'Poor Richard's Almanack,' one of the most widely books in early America. Ben Franklin also founded University of Pennsylvania, libraries and a post system.
Next: Mayer Amschel Rothschild -
Mayer Amschel Rothschild
1744-1812, Europe
Born in Frankfurt's Jewish ghetto, Rothschild eventually create an empire that stretched across Europe: the world's first international bank. He sent his five sons to cities across the continent -- London, Paris, Vienna, Naples and Frankfurt -- where they established banks. These banks financed the British war against Napoleon. Communication was the most important thing to Rothschild, so that the business would run efficiently.
Next: John Jacob Astort -
John Jacob Astor
1763-1848, United States
The German immigrant came to New York in poverty at age 20 and built a near-monopoly in the global fur trade, founding a trading post at the mouth of the Columbia River, and trading as far as Russia and China. In the 1830s, Astor poured his fur profits into New York real estate. The income from the rents and the value of the land combined to make Astor the wealthiest American of his time.
Next: Andrew Carnegie -
Andrew Carnegie
1835-1919, United States
The Scottish immigrant and weaver's son built a steel empire whose mills churned out the railroads, ships and structures of post-Civil War America. Carnegie's quick adoption of the Bessemer process and other techniques to efficiently refine steel enabled him to lower costs and undercut his competitors.
Next: John D. Rockefeller -
John D. Rockefeller
1839-1937, United States
Rockefeller started his first business selling grain and other goods. He turned to oil a few years after it was discovered in western Pennsylvania in 1859. By buying out refineries after the Civil War, Rockefeller soon dominated the market. His company made its own oil barrels and owned storage and shipping facilities. In 1896 Rockefeller devoted himself to philanthropy, endowing the University of Chicago and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Next: Thomas Edison -
Thomas Edison
1847-1931, United States
Edison's relentless innovation made him the most prolific inventor of his time. He got his start as a telegraph operator but soon moved on to refining that technology and creating others that would turn the world on its head: a device to turn power into light and a machine to record and play back sound. He registered 1,093 patents so he could retain profits on his products and discourage competitors.
Next: Milton Hershey -
Milton Hershey
1857-1945, United States
The man whose name would mean chocolate actually got his start in caramel. In 1905, Hershey built the world's largest chocolate factory in Pennsylvania and developed a model town around it. Mass production turned an exclusive luxury good into something that could be sold to a mass market.
As a philanthropist, he endowed many local groups in the town that bears his name, including a school for orphans.
Next: Show Me the Funding -
Show Me the Funding
How exactly did these company founders get the financial support to start their million or in some cases billion dollar companies? Some racked up credit card debt, others borrowed from family members and some sold their most precious possessions. Find out what steps were taken to start these successful companies.
Show Me the Funding
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Recent Comments
jcruiser18 02:11:54 AM Nov 02 2008
IF OBAMA BECAME THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES...I DONT THINK CHINA AND ANY OTHER COUNTRY WOULD LOAN US MONEY WHEN WE ARE IN DEBT. CAUSE NO ONE TRUSS BLACK MEN...
conradwainright 01:36:44 AM Nov 02 2008
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beachmeupamy 08:42:57 PM Nov 01 2008
Want to join my new group? It's called the NAACP!National Association for the Advancement of Corporate Profits!
banddeducational 02:20:44 PM Nov 01 2008
Dear Customers, As a business owner who employs 30 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barack Obama will be our next President and that my taxes and operating expenses will go up in a BIG way. To compensate for these increases, I figure that you, the customer, will have to absorb an increase in my prices to the tune of about 8%. I will also have to lay off six of my employees. This really bothered me as I believe that we are a family here, and I didn't know how to choose who would have to go. So, this is what I did. I strolled through the parking lot and found OBAMA bumper stickers on eight of my employees' cars. I then decided that these folks will be the first to go. I can't think of a better way, if you can, tell me.Small Business Ownerp.s. - please send to all small business owners you know.
banddeducational 02:19:40 PM Nov 01 2008
Dear Customers, As a business owner who employs 30 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barack Obama will be our next President and that my taxes and operating expenses will go up in a BIG way. To compensate for these increases, I figure that you, the customer, will have to absorb an increase in my prices to the tune of about 8%. I will also have to lay off six of my employees. This really bothered me as I believe that we are a family here, and I didn't know how to choose who would have to go. So, this is what I did. I strolled through the parking lot and found OBAMA bumper stickers on eight of my employees' cars. I then decided that these folks will be the first to go. I can't think of a better way, if you can, tell me.Small Business Ownerp.s. - please send to all small business owners you know.
mdshughey 10:57:02 AM Nov 01 2008
Tesla didn't invent wireless ac it still don't exsist
mdshughey 10:54:39 AM Nov 01 2008
Gee no socialist listed as great real friggin bummee COMMIES SUCK!!!
rjolly21 07:19:03 PM Jul 06 2008
There is a company called AutosAtinvoice.com they have dealers under contract to sell you a new car at invoice . I used them it was great no hassle , no haggling and no salesman. they don't just give you the invoice price and set you up for confrontation with the dealers like all these other sites. their dealer treat you like a v.i.p. and they only charge 29.95 that's what i paid for one of those how to books that was no help at all. just thought some of you might want to know.
