Betsey Johnson Betsey Johnson

for her stylish life

The fashion world has always loved Betsey Johnson's whimsical personality and outrageous designs. But nobody would put money on her when she decided to start her own company. Could she really build a successful business around silver micro minis and pink tutus? Johnson thought so. It was the late 1970s, and punk rock was the rage. It was her big chance. So she scraped together some savings--including money she'd earned starring in a Bayer aspirin commercial--and, along with ex-model Chantal Bacon, started the Betsey Johnson clothing label.

With a mop-top of blond hair, a tattooed bosom, and a penchant for turning cartwheels, Johnson's not your typical retail magnate. Financial independence has allowed her to stay true to her design sensibility, which she tweaks to keep up with changing fashion trends. "She's always mined the same roots," says Stan Herman, president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which bestowed a "timeless talent" award on Johnson in 1999. "Very few people have been able to raise their arms and hold the hands of the clock like Betsey."

Johnson has also managed to thrive in the notoriously fickle fashion industry while many independent design labels have sold out to large corporations. Johnson, who owns the majority of her business, has avoided the trend toward consolidation, focusing instead on slow, organic growth. Her strategy has been successful: The Betsey Johnson retail empire, which generated about $50 million in revenue last year, now includes 45 boutiques in the United States, Canada, and Britain. Johnson has also gained acceptance from mainstream retailers: Her lacy, embroidered dresses--a big hit with prom-goers--are sold by high-end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

Still a textbook workaholic at age 60, Johnson has no plans to retire, but she's finally ready to smell the roses. To that end, she spends one week a month working from Betseyville, her Mexican vacation home, where she spends two hours each afternoon sunbathing on the shores of the Pacific. Looking back, Johnson is happy that she never attracted big investors or became part of a huge company. "We're not brilliant, big-boy garmento movers and groovers," she says, "but we've had a wonderful, enjoyable, panicked, crazy, happy time over the past 25 years--all because we own it."--Nadine Heintz

Nadine Heintz is a staff writer.

1. Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com
   because "optimism is essential"
2. Betsey Johnson, Betsey Johnson
   for her stylish life
3. Russell Simmons, Rush Communications
   for his powerful example
4. Scott Cook, Intuit
   because he learns, and teaches
5. Sergey Brin & Larry Page, Google
   for their integrity. And, well, for Google
6. David Neeleman, JetBlue
   for creating an airline fit for humans
7. Tom Stemberg, Staples
   for doing it exactly right
8. Jack Stack, SRC Holdings
   for going naked
9. Judy Wicks, White Dog Enterprises
   because she's put in place more progressive business practices per square foot than any other entrepreneur
10. Davin Wedel, Global Protection
    because he's a lifesaver
11. Pat McGovern, International Data Group
    for knowing the power of respect
12. Steve Jobs, Apple Computer, Pixar
    because we like to be seduced
13. Lance Morgan, Ho-Chunk
    because a man must make his own arrows--Winnebago proverb
14. James Goodnight, SAS
    for saying no to Wall Street (repeatedly) and yes to the people who really matter
15. Stella Ogiale, Chesterfield Health Services
    for doing good while doing well
16. Rhonda Kallman, New Century Brewing
    for seizing opportunity-- again and again
17. Laima Tazmin, LAVT
    because she's a lot like other kids--and then again...
18. Laura & Pete Wakeman, Great Harvest Bread
    for living a little --no, a lot
19. Andra Rush, Rush Trucking
    for rolling up her sleeves
20. Kathleen Wehner, Cirrus Aviation
    for refusing to quit
21. Frank Venegas, Ideal Group
    because he parlayed a little bit of luck into a lot of good fortune for others
22. Dan Wieden, Wieden + Kennedy
    because he's a true independent
23. John Sperling, Apollo Group
    because he stirs the pot, and apparently always will
24. John Stollenwerk, Allen-Edmonds
    for his commitment to U.S. workers. We also love the shoes
25. Mel Zuckerman, Canyon Ranch
    for showing the way

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