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This month 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.
This Year's Winners
Rank  Name Company Name We Love them...
1.Jeff Bezos Amazon.com (AMZN)because "optimism is essential"
2.Betsey JohnsonBetsey Johnson for her stylish life
3.Russell SimmonsRush Communications for his powerful example
4.Scott CookIntuit (INTU)because he learns, and teaches
5.Sergey Brin
& Larry Page
Google for their integrity. And, well, for Google
6.David NeelemanJetBlue (JBLU)for creating an airline fit for humans
7.Tom StembergStaples (SPLS)for doing it exactly right
8.Jack Stack
SRC Holdingsfor going naked
9.Judy WicksWhite Dog Enterprises because she's put in place more progressive business practices per square foot than any other entrepreneur
10.Davin WedelGlobal Protection because he's a lifesaver
11.Pat McGovern
International Data Group for knowing the power of respect
12.Steve JobsApple Computer (AAPL), Pixar (PIXR)because we like to be seduced
13.Lance Morgan
Ho-Chunk because a man must make his own arrows--Winnebago proverb
14.James GoodnightSAS for saying no to Wall Street (repeatedly) and yes to the people who really matter
15.Stella OgialeChesterfield Health Services for doing good while doing well
16.Rhonda KallmanNew Century Brewing for seizing opportunity-- again and again
17.Laima TazminLAVT because she's a lot like other kids--and then again...
18.Laura & Pete WakemanGreat Harvest Bread for living a little --no, a lot
19.Andra RushRush Trucking for rolling up her sleeves
20.Kathleen WehnerCirrus Aviationfor refusing to quit
21.Frank Venegas
Ideal Groupbecause 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 (APOL)because he stirs the pot, and apparently always will
24.John StollenwerkAllen-Edmonds for his commitment to U.S. workers. We also love the shoes
25.Mel Zuckerman
Canyon Ranch for showing the way
 Featured Article
Why 20 Million of You Can't Be Wrong
By John Case
A long-time Inc. contributor surveys the current entrepreneurial scene and reports his findings. How do things look? Well, one answer might be "Never better, thanks!" More...

 Q&A with the Entrepreneurs
Q:What sacrifices have you had to make en route to success?
A:I have sacrificed boredom.
-Rhonda Kallman
 I had to give up my professor's salary, but I got over that.
-James Goodnight
 I have sacrificed sleep. I am owed several years worth of it.
-Tom Stemberg

More:

· What inspired you to strike out on your own in business?
· What would you like to be known for?
· What was the hardest lesson you've learned?
· Is entrepreneurship getting more difficult?
· What quality or skill is the most critical to success as an entrepreneur?

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Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game - BusinessMoneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game 
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