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Parallel Lives

Bill Gates has a golf handicap in the double digits. And so does Ronald Harland! Tom Monaghan launched his pizza empire in Michigan. And Lisa Stern eats Domino's pizza in Michigan! Are these just amazing coincidences? Or are they examples of a scientific determinism that landed them at the same ranking on the Inc. 500? You decide.

#80 in 1984 Microsoft Founder: Bill Gates

#80 in 2007 Evolv Solutions Founder: Ronald Harland Sr.

Word documents and paper documents
Bill Gates founded Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) in 1975. Last year, it had sales of $44.3 billion. Ronald Harland Sr. founded Evolv Solutions in 2001. Evolv leases copiers, printers, and fax machines to companies such as Lockheed Martin and Johnson & Johnson.

Be prepared
Both Gates and Harland were Boy Scouts. Scout's honor.

The four food groups
Gates has been known to polish off cases of Diet Orange Crush and nosh on grilled cheese sandwiches. Harland prefers fried chicken and barbecued ribs.

Watch those sand traps
Gates and Harland both list golf among their favorite hobbies. Gates has a handicap of 23.9; Harland's is 18. "I'm not that great of a golfer," acknowledges Harland. "My time centers on the business."

With a little help from friends
Neither Gates nor Harland started their companies alone. Gates, who was 20 at the time, launched Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Harland founded Evolv with his two sons--Eric and Ronald Jr. They were 31 and 34 at the time, and Harland was 53.

The Xerox connection
Harland identified this parallel: Xerox (NYSE:XRX) came up with the concept of the computer desktop, which laid the foundation for Windows, Microsoft's operating system. A strategic partnership with Xerox, Harland's former employer, helped lay the foundation for Evolv Solutions. Almost scary, isn't it?

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#479 in 1994 Maxis Founder: Will Wright

#479 in 2007 Nexum Founder: Todd Gabel

Computer worlds and computer security
Will Wright founded Maxis in 1987 and 10 years later sold it to Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) for $125 million. Wright is the creator of SimCity and The Sims, the best-selling computer game of all time. Todd Gabel co-founded Nexum in 2002. It resells and installs data-security products for clients such as Fidelity Investments and State Farm.

Runs in the family
Both of their fathers were entrepreneurs. Wright's father's company made plastic bags. Gabel's dad made promotional materials.

Spiritual cousins
Wright is an atheist and Gabel says he's an agnostic.

Something's fishy here
Both Wright and Gabel entertain themselves with underwater creatures. Wright is currently designing a game in which characters evolve from underwater molecules into complex species. Gabel's favorite movie is the 1988 comedy A Fish Called Wanda.

Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
Wright's home is filled with various robots, some of which he built himself. Gabel never constructed a robot, but he does own a Roomba, which obediently patrols his hardwood floors.

Daddy's little girl
Wright and Gabel each have a daughter. Wright and his daughter used to build Battlebots, robots that duke it out in tournaments. Gabel and his daughter enjoy playing tennis and bowling on the Nintendo Wii.

Pizza and beer
Both Wright and Gabel got together with their business partners over refreshments. Wright met his co-founder, Jeff Braun, at a pizza party. Gabel and his co-founder, David Lesser, hatched their business plan over a few beers.

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#71 in 1986 John Paul Mitchell Systems Founder: John Paul DeJoria

#71 in 2007 FunMobility Founder: Adam Lavine

Suds and songs
John Paul DeJoria, together with Paul Mitchell, founded John Paul Mitchell Systems in 1980. The hair care line is sold in more than 90,000 hair salons in more than 70 countries. Adam Lavine founded FunMobility in 1999. His company makes and sells ring tones and background wallpaper for cell phones.

Nomadic living
Before he hit it big, DeJoria was homeless--twice. Lavine never had to live in his car as DeJoria did, but at age 19, he did hitchhike through Ireland and Thailand, staying in hostels and huts. "Looking back I say, 'Why did I do that?" says Lavine.

You do what?
Before starting their companies, both DeJoria and Lavine had strings of odd jobs. DeJoria sold encyclopedias, copy machines, and insurance. He also worked as a janitor, pumped gas, and repaired bikes. Lavine juggled at amusement parks, taught animation, shoveled cow manure, and was a counselor at computer-circus camp, where kids learn to program computers and perform circus tricks. "I could juggle and program, so it was perfect," he says.

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