Guy Laliberté:
According to celebs 101, Laliberte ate fire on the
streets before introducing Cirque du Soleil to the world.
The Canadian-born Laliberté began his circus career
busking on the streets: playing accordion, walking on
stilts and eating fire. He gambled by bringing a successful
troupe from Quebec to the Los Angeles Arts Festival in 1987,
with return fare. The bet paid off, and the circus group was
eventually brought to Las Vegas, where they became the
world famous Cirque du Soleil we know today.
busking on the streets: playing accordion, walking on
stilts and eating fire. He gambled by bringing a successful
troupe from Quebec to the Los Angeles Arts Festival in 1987,
with return fare. The bet paid off, and the circus group was
eventually brought to Las Vegas, where they became the
world famous Cirque du Soleil we know today.
Today, Laliberté is the CEO of Cirque, a professional
poker player and space tourist, with a total worth of
$2.5 billion.
poker player and space tourist, with a total worth of
$2.5 billion.
John Paul DeJoria
According to Forbes, lived in his car before John Paul
Mitchell Systems took off.
As a first generation American, DeJoria has it rough
from the beginning. His German and Italian parents
divorced when he was two, and he sold Christmas
cards and newspapers to help support his family before
he turned 10. He was eventually sent to live in a foster
home in Los Angeles.
Going by Bloomberg's account, Ursula grew up in
a housing project on Manhattan's Lower East Side
and now runs Xerox.
Before the Lower East Side was cool, it was a hub
for gangs. Burns was raised by her single mother in
a housing project there. Her mother ran a daycare
center out of her home and ironed shirts so that she
could afford to send Ursula to Catholic school. She
went to NYU, and from there became an intern at Xerox.
for gangs. Burns was raised by her single mother in
a housing project there. Her mother ran a daycare
center out of her home and ironed shirts so that she
could afford to send Ursula to Catholic school. She
went to NYU, and from there became an intern at Xerox.
She's now Xerox CEO and chairwoman. She's the
first African-American woman to be the head of a
Fortune 500 Company.
first African-American woman to be the head of a
Fortune 500 Company.
Howard Schultz
Mirror news disclosed that Howard grew up in the
Brooklyn projects before discovering, and now
leading, Starbucks
Schultz grew up in the Bayview projects of Canarsie,
Brooklyn. He always wanted to climb "over the fence"
and go beyond the lifestyle provided by his truck-driving
father. Despite destitution, he excelled at sports and
earned a football scholarship to the University of
Northern Michigan.
Brooklyn. He always wanted to climb "over the fence"
and go beyond the lifestyle provided by his truck-driving
father. Despite destitution, he excelled at sports and
earned a football scholarship to the University of
Northern Michigan.
After graduating with a degree in communications,
Schultz went to work for Xerox before discovering
a small coffee shop called Starbucks. Enamored with
the coffee, he left Xerox to become the company's
chief executive in 1987. After beginning with 60
shops, Starbucks now has over 16 outlets worldwide,
giving Schultz a net worth of $1.1 billion. He even
went on hiatus and came back as CEO to lead
Starbucks out of a decline.
Schultz went to work for Xerox before discovering
a small coffee shop called Starbucks. Enamored with
the coffee, he left Xerox to become the company's
chief executive in 1987. After beginning with 60
shops, Starbucks now has over 16 outlets worldwide,
giving Schultz a net worth of $1.1 billion. He even
went on hiatus and came back as CEO to lead
Starbucks out of a decline.
Li Ka-shing
Harvard Business Publishing reports that Shing
quit school at 15 to work in a plastics factory
and is now the world's richest East Asian.
quit school at 15 to work in a plastics factory
and is now the world's richest East Asian.
The family of Li Ka-shing fled mainland China
for Hong Kong in 1940, and Li's father died of
tuberculosis when he was just 15. Quitting
school to work to support his family, Li made
plastics and later plastic flowers for U.S export.
for Hong Kong in 1940, and Li's father died of
tuberculosis when he was just 15. Quitting
school to work to support his family, Li made
plastics and later plastic flowers for U.S export.
By 1950 Li was able to start his own company,
Cheung Kong Industries. While at first manufacturing
plastics, the company later moved into real estate.
Similarly, Li expanded his ownership of different
companies, and today has his hands in banking,
cellular phones, satellite television, cement
production, retail outlets, hotels, domestic
transportation, airports, electric power,
steel production, ports and shipping, and
investment in cool apps, among other industries.
Cheung Kong Industries. While at first manufacturing
plastics, the company later moved into real estate.
Similarly, Li expanded his ownership of different
companies, and today has his hands in banking,
cellular phones, satellite television, cement
production, retail outlets, hotels, domestic
transportation, airports, electric power,
steel production, ports and shipping, and
investment in cool apps, among other industries.
Francois Pinault
Xfinity reports that Pinault was a high school
dropout who now leads luxury goods group PPR.
dropout who now leads luxury goods group PPR.
Pinault quit high school in 1947 after being teased
for his poor background. He joined his family's
timber trading business and in the 1970s began
buying up smaller firms. His ruthless business
tactics — including slashing jobs and selling his
timber company only to buy it back at a fraction
of the cost when the market crashed — gave him
a reputation as a "predator." He had similar tactics
in the real estate business, and did well buying
French junk bonds and taking government money
to save businesses from bankruptcy.
for his poor background. He joined his family's
timber trading business and in the 1970s began
buying up smaller firms. His ruthless business
tactics — including slashing jobs and selling his
timber company only to buy it back at a fraction
of the cost when the market crashed — gave him
a reputation as a "predator." He had similar tactics
in the real estate business, and did well buying
French junk bonds and taking government money
to save businesses from bankruptcy.
His self-made worth helped him start PPR, a luxury
goods group that sells brands like Gucci and Stella
McCartney. At one point the richest man in France,
Pinault is now worth a cool $8.7 billion, has historic
homes around the world and is the father-in-law
of actress Salma Hayek.
goods group that sells brands like Gucci and Stella
McCartney. At one point the richest man in France,
Pinault is now worth a cool $8.7 billion, has historic
homes around the world and is the father-in-law
of actress Salma Hayek.
Leonardo Del Vecchio
According to Forbes, Vecchio
was an orphaned factory worker
whose eyeglasses empire today
makes Ray-Bans and Oakleys.
Del Vecchio was one of five children
who could not be supported by his widowed
mother. After growing up in an orphanage,
he went to work in a factory making molds
for auto parts and eyeglass frames, where
he lost part of his finger.
who could not be supported by his widowed
mother. After growing up in an orphanage,
he went to work in a factory making molds
for auto parts and eyeglass frames, where
he lost part of his finger.
At 23, he opened his own molding shop.
That eyeglass frame shop expanded to
the world's largest maker of sunglasses
and prescription eyeware. Luxottica makes
brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, with 6,000
retail shops like Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters.
His estimated net worth is now above $10 billion dollars.
That eyeglass frame shop expanded to
the world's largest maker of sunglasses
and prescription eyeware. Luxottica makes
brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, with 6,000
retail shops like Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters.
His estimated net worth is now above $10 billion dollars.
Kirk Kerkorian
Smart Money Daily revealed that Kerkorian
went from boxer and Royal Air Force pilot to
Las Vegas mega-resort owner.
Kerkorian, who learned English on the streets,
dropped out of 8th grade to become a boxer.
His family was a casualty of the Great Depression,
and Kerkorian went about finding skills to help bring
income home. He became a daredevil pilot for the
Royal Air Force during World War II, delivering
supplies over the Atlantic on routes that would
crash one in four planes.
dropped out of 8th grade to become a boxer.
His family was a casualty of the Great Depression,
and Kerkorian went about finding skills to help bring
income home. He became a daredevil pilot for the
Royal Air Force during World War II, delivering
supplies over the Atlantic on routes that would
crash one in four planes.
From the money he made running supplies,
Kerkorian became a high roller on the craps
table and eventually a real estate magnate in
Las Vegas: he bought The Flamingo and built
The International and MGM Grand, stalwarts of
the Vegas scene. His net worth today is at $16
billion dollars.
Kerkorian became a high roller on the craps
table and eventually a real estate magnate in
Las Vegas: he bought The Flamingo and built
The International and MGM Grand, stalwarts of
the Vegas scene. His net worth today is at $16
billion dollars.
Sheldon Adelson
Minyanville revealed is another Las Vegas hotels
magnate who tried his hand at a few industries.
magnate who tried his hand at a few industries.
Adelson grew up in tenement housing Massachusetts,
where he shared a bedroom with his parents and
three siblings. His father was a Lithuanian taxi
driver and his mother had a knitting store.
When he was 12 years old, he started selling
newspapers and a few years later ran a vending
machine scheme on the same corner.
three siblings. His father was a Lithuanian taxi
driver and his mother had a knitting store.
When he was 12 years old, he started selling
newspapers and a few years later ran a vending
machine scheme on the same corner.
Adelson tried his hand at a few different industries,
from packing hotel toiletries to mortgage brokering.
His biggest break came from developing a computer
trade show. He turned that wealth into a purchase
of the Sands Hotel & Casino, and later the mega-resort The Venetian.
from packing hotel toiletries to mortgage brokering.
His biggest break came from developing a computer
trade show. He turned that wealth into a purchase
of the Sands Hotel & Casino, and later the mega-resort The Venetian.
Ingvar Kamprad
Smart Money Daily disclosed Kamprad was born
in a small village in Sweden and created a mail-order
business that became IKEA.
in a small village in Sweden and created a mail-order
business that became IKEA.
Kamprad lived the farm life growing up.
But he always had a knack for business,
buying matches in bulk from Stockholm
to sell to his neighbors. He later expanded
to fish, Christmas decorations, and pens.
But he always had a knack for business,
buying matches in bulk from Stockholm
to sell to his neighbors. He later expanded
to fish, Christmas decorations, and pens.
Not satisfied with the small stuff, Kamprad
took money from his father (a reward for good grades)
and created a mail-order business that eventually
became IKEA (the name comes from his initials
plus those of his village and family farm).
Furniture became the company's biggest
seller, and Kamprad's use of local manufacturers
kept his prices low. Once one of the world's richest,
his value has fallen recently to a still-amazing $6 billion.
took money from his father (a reward for good grades)
and created a mail-order business that eventually
became IKEA (the name comes from his initials
plus those of his village and family farm).
Furniture became the company's biggest
seller, and Kamprad's use of local manufacturers
kept his prices low. Once one of the world's richest,
his value has fallen recently to a still-amazing $6 billion.
Roman Abramovich
According to Hubpages, Roman was an orphan
who turned an expensive wedding gift into an oil empire.
who turned an expensive wedding gift into an oil empire.
After his parents died when he was just four,
the Russian Abramovich was raised by his uncle
and grandmother . Abramovich got his first break
from an expensive wedding gift from his in-laws.
He dropped out of college to pursue his entrepreneurial
interests, which at first included selling plastic ducks
out of an apartment in Moscow.
the Russian Abramovich was raised by his uncle
and grandmother . Abramovich got his first break
from an expensive wedding gift from his in-laws.
He dropped out of college to pursue his entrepreneurial
interests, which at first included selling plastic ducks
out of an apartment in Moscow.
He managed a take over of oil giant Sibneft at a
bargain price in 1995. He continued to flip his
investments into even larger acquisitions,
including Russian Aluminum and steelmaker
Evraz Group. Over the years Abramovich has
been accused of shady dealings, from paying
out bribes and protection money to having a
role in the gang feuds over aluminum smelters.
It seems that being ruthless has paid off for the
billionaire: he now owns the largest private
yacht in the world, as well as a ton of other cool stuff.
bargain price in 1995. He continued to flip his
investments into even larger acquisitions,
including Russian Aluminum and steelmaker
Evraz Group. Over the years Abramovich has
been accused of shady dealings, from paying
out bribes and protection money to having a
role in the gang feuds over aluminum smelters.
It seems that being ruthless has paid off for the
billionaire: he now owns the largest private
yacht in the world, as well as a ton of other cool stuff.
Richard Desmond
The Observer states that Desmond went from
living above a garage to creating an empire
that published magazines like Penthouse.
living above a garage to creating an empire
that published magazines like Penthouse.
Desmond grew up the son of a single mother
after his parents divorced. The two of them
lived above a garage, during which time
Desmond described himself as "very fat and
very lonely." He quit school at 14 to focus on
being a drummer, working as a coat-checker
to help pay bills. Though he never became rich
from his own musical talents, he later opened
his own record shops.
after his parents divorced. The two of them
lived above a garage, during which time
Desmond described himself as "very fat and
very lonely." He quit school at 14 to focus on
being a drummer, working as a coat-checker
to help pay bills. Though he never became rich
from his own musical talents, he later opened
his own record shops.
Eventually Desmond published his first magazine,
International Musician and Recording World.
The Desmond magazine empire would expand
to publications like a British version of Penthouse
and Ok!, a worldwide favorite. He now owns
publications around the globe and is involved
in philanthropic work.
International Musician and Recording World.
The Desmond magazine empire would expand
to publications like a British version of Penthouse
and Ok!, a worldwide favorite. He now owns
publications around the globe and is involved
in philanthropic work.
J.K. Rowling
Her Biography revealed that Rowling lived on
welfare before creating the Harry Potter franchise.
In the early 1990s, Rowling had just gotten
divorced and was living on welfare with a
dependent child. She completed most of
the first "Harry Potter" book in cafes, as
walking around with her daughter, Jessica,
was the best way to get her to sleep.
divorced and was living on welfare with a
dependent child. She completed most of
the first "Harry Potter" book in cafes, as
walking around with her daughter, Jessica,
was the best way to get her to sleep.
The "Harry Potter" franchise has become a
worldwide success and J.K. Rowling is now
worth an estimated $1 billion.
worldwide success and J.K. Rowling is now
worth an estimated $1 billion.
Sam Walton
His Biography revealed Sam milked cows
and sold magazines in Oklahoma before
he founded Wal-Mart.
and sold magazines in Oklahoma before
he founded Wal-Mart.
Walton's family lived on a farm in Oklahoma
during the Great Depression. In order to make
ends meet, he helped his family out by milking
the cow and driving the milk out to customers.
He also delivered newspapers and sold magazine
subscriptions.
during the Great Depression. In order to make
ends meet, he helped his family out by milking
the cow and driving the milk out to customers.
He also delivered newspapers and sold magazine
subscriptions.
By 26, he was managing a variety store after
graduating from the University of Missouri with
a B.A. in economics. He used $5,000 from the
army and a $20,000 loan from his father-in-law
to buy a Ben Franklin variety store in Arkansas.
He expanded the chain, and then went on to
found Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. He died in
1992, leaving the company to his wife and children.
graduating from the University of Missouri with
a B.A. in economics. He used $5,000 from the
army and a $20,000 loan from his father-in-law
to buy a Ben Franklin variety store in Arkansas.
He expanded the chain, and then went on to
found Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. He died in
1992, leaving the company to his wife and children.
Oprah Winfrey
According to Academy of Achievement,
Oprah turned a life of hardship into
inspiration for a multi-billion-dollar empire.
Oprah spent the first six years of her life
living with her grandmother wearing dresses
made out of potato sacks. After being
molested by two members of her family
and a family friend, she ran away from
home at age 13. At 14, her newborn child
died shortly after he was born. She went
back to live with her mother, but it wasn't
until her mother sent her to live with her
father that she turned her life around.
living with her grandmother wearing dresses
made out of potato sacks. After being
molested by two members of her family
and a family friend, she ran away from
home at age 13. At 14, her newborn child
died shortly after he was born. She went
back to live with her mother, but it wasn't
until her mother sent her to live with her
father that she turned her life around.
She got a full scholarship to college,
won a beauty pageant —where she
was discovered by a radio station —
and the rest is history. The Oprah
name became an empire, and
according to Forbes she is worth $2.7 billion.
won a beauty pageant —where she
was discovered by a radio station —
and the rest is history. The Oprah
name became an empire, and
according to Forbes she is worth $2.7 billion.
No comments:
Post a Comment