Inc. magazine goes behind the scenes with 25 entrepreneurs who best exemplify the extraordinary drive, creativity, and passion of American business. Our top 25 list, coinciding with Inc .'s 25th anniversary, spans the gamut of the entrepreneurial world, from spectacularly successful household names, such as Russell Simons, to Laima Tazmin, an extraordinarily talented teenager who runs a Web consulting business, to Lance Morgan, a Native American whose network of businesses, from e-commerce to housing construction, provides hundreds of jobs for members of his tribe. No matter what the accomplishment, each entrepreneur profiled here offers a fascinating case study in what it takes to thrive in today's economy.
- Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com
because "optimism is essential" - Betsey Johnson, Betsey Johnson
for her stylish life - Russell Simmons, Rush Communications
for his powerful example - Scott Cook, Intuit
because he learns, and teaches - Sergey Brin & Larry Page, Google
for their integrity. And, well, for Google - David Neeleman, JetBlue
for creating an airline fit for humans - Tom Stemberg, Staples
for doing it exactly right - Jack Stack, SRC Holdings
for going naked - Judy Wicks, White Dog Enterprises
because she's put in place more progressive business practices per square foot than any other entrepreneur - Davin Wedel, Global Protection
because he's a lifesaver - Pat McGovern, International Data Group
for knowing the power of respect - Steve Jobs, Apple Computer, Pixar
because we like to be seduced - Lance Morgan, Ho-Chunk
because a man must make his own arrows--Winnebago proverb - James Goodnight, SAS
for saying no to Wall Street (repeatedly) and yes to the people who really matter - Stella Ogiale, Chesterfield Health Services
for doing good while doing well - Rhonda Kallman, New Century Brewing
for seizing opportunity-- again and again - Laima Tazmin, LAVT
because she's a lot like other kids--and then again... - Laura & Pete Wakeman, Great Harvest Bread
for living a little --no, a lot - Andra Rush, Rush Trucking
for rolling up her sleeves - Kathleen Wehner, Cirrus Aviation
for refusing to quit - Frank Venegas, Ideal Group
because he parlayed a little bit of luck into a lot of good fortune for others - Dan Wieden, Wieden + Kennedy
because he's a true independent - John Sperling, Apollo Group
because he stirs the pot, and apparently always will - John Stollenwerk, Allen-Edmonds
for his commitment to U.S. workers. We also love the shoes - Mel Zuckerman, Canyon Ranch
for showing the way