Hank Aaron

About his business: The baseball great ( his nicknameis hammerin hank) and his wife opened several fast-food franchises in 1995. The company has since grown (how many restaurants do they have?755 restaurant corporation georgia franchise has 32 restaurants).

What is the company?755 restaurant corporation + Popeyes, Burger King, Krispy Kreme

Why did he start the company? Here's a quote from Aaron:
… little did I know that one day I would come back [to Atlanta] to be awarded this franchise. It's something that I've dreamed about.

Brad Benson

About his business: The former offensive lineman (who'd he win a Super Bowl with?new york giants) started his own auto business in New Jersey in 1990.

What is the company?brad benson auto group

I don't live for a practical joke, but I don't think I could live without one. We are an equal opportunity offender.

Drew Brees

About his business: The New Orleans Saints quarterback opened a sandwich shop (a national chain) in 2011 in Metairie, La.

What is the company?jimmy johns

Why? Here's a quote from Brees:
It all starts with just really loving the product. I was exposed to [it] during my freshman year at Purdue. I ate there all the time and had it delivered to my dorm room all the time.

Sandra Bullock

About her business: The actress and mom (see her son) owns several businesses in Austin, Texas, including an eco-friendly restaurant that serves up some comfort food favorites.

What is the company?bess bistro

Why go 'green'? Here's a quote from Bullock:
It's just a few cents. I think we're absolutely worth it — those few extra pennies [help] to make sure that we have a beautiful earth.

Rosevelt Colvin

About his business: The ex-NFL star (who'd he win two Super Bowls with?new england patriots) opened a popular shipping franchise (where?Indianapolis, Indiana) in 2004.

What is the company?ups store

Why? Here's a quote from Colvin:
As an athlete, you're always competitive. You look for another challenge to tackle, to be a part of.


Dave Dahl

About his business: This ex-con (how long was he in prison?dave dahl in prison for 15 years on drug charges) learned his lesson. Once free, he started a successful bread business.

What is the company?dave's killer bread

Why? Here's a quote from Dahl:
You can change your own life, and when you do, it changes the world.

John Elway

About his business: The Denver Broncos quarterback (how many Super Bowls did he win?john elway won two super bowls) owns three upscale steak restaurants in Colorado.

What is the company?elway's steak house

Why? Here's a quote from Elway:
I've never relied on [my] name. I've always relied on the product we're selling and our people that are doing it, our managers, our operators, and they're the ones that carry the torches as far as philosophy.

Jarvis Green

About his business: The New England Patriots defensive end retired from football in 2010. After selling his liquor store and closing a restaurant, he is now vice president of marketing for a construction company he co-owns.

What is the company?first millennium construction

Why? Here's a quote from Green:
I didn't want to be known just as a football player because I'm so much more than that.

Robert De Niro

About his business: The legendary actor has made an impact on and off the big screen. He has numerous businesses, including some popular upscale sushi restaurants (how many are there worldwide?24 nobu restaurants).

What is the company?nobu

Why? Here's a quote from De Niro:
I thought the place was great. I told [Chef Matsuhisa], "If you ever want to open a restaurant in New York, let me know." A year or two later, he called me, said, "I'm interested."

Javier Fernández-Han

About his business: When he was just 15, Fernández-Han created a system that uses algae to treat waste products and produce methane for fuel. He won a large award (how much?javier hernandez-han wins $20,000 invent your world) from the Invent Your World Challenge for his invention.

What is the company?versatile javier fernandez han

Why? Here's a quote from Fernández-Han:
Once I realized I enjoyed inventing, I began to see how I could provide solutions to common problems. Inventing things became a way to help people.

Bethenny Frankel

About her business: The former baby-sitter of a pair of famous heiresses has come a long way. The reality starlet made her debut on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list (at what number?bethenny frankel 42 on forbes celebrity 100 list) in 2011 for her array of businesses, including her unique brand of products.

What is the company?skinnygirl brand

Why? Here's a quote from Frankel:
For me, my business evolved from my own personal beliefs about eating well, promoting natural health, being fit and solving problems.

Sammy Hagar

About his business: A former singer with Montrose and Van Halen, Hagar (what's his nickname?the red rocker) made millions by turning his homemade alcohol into a successful brand.

What is the company?cabo wabo enterprises

Why? Here's a quote from Hagar:
My mother always told me being a musician was never going to support me, so I needed something to fall back on. So even though I completely believed I was going to make it to superstardom, I guess it kind of stuck with me.


Cal Ripken Jr.

About his business: The baseball Hall of Famer (whom did he play for?baltimore orioles) is president and CEO of a youth development baseball program, which he started in 2001. He also recently launched this new snack.

What is his baseball company?ripken baseball

Why? Here's a quote from Ripken:
I happen to think that sport -- baseball, in particular -- is very magical. It can go across cultural lines. It can appeal to all kids and all people.

Bo Jackson

About his business: The Heisman Trophy winner (what fundraiser did he recently organize?bo bikes bama) opened a domed facility (in what city?Lockport, Illinois) to allow people to play sports year-round.

What is the company?Bo Jackson Elite Sports

Why build it in Illinois? Here's a quote from Jackson:
Because we have such bad winters here, in the Midwest, we decided to bring the summers indoors.

Cameron Johnson

About his business: One of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the world, Johnson, now 24 years old, has had an array of successful businesses , starting with his own greeting card company at age 9.

What is the company?cheers and tears cards

What's his advice? Here's a quote from Johnson:
Put yourself out there. Don't be afraid of rejection. Don't be afraid to ask anything.

Magic Johnson

About his business: The L.A. Lakers star has a hugely successful business that develops entertainment and dining centers in low-income areas. He also recently became part owner of this baseball franchise.

What is the company?magic johnson enterprises

Why? Here's a quote from Johnson:
When I left the NBA, I wanted to be a businessman. So I got me some mentors … I grabbed something from everybody.

Kardashian family

About their business: From reality TV to modeling to clothing stores, this family has built a strong brand. Their latest venture is a home "kollection" for this department store.

What is the company?kardashian kollection home

What's it like? Here's a quote from Kim:
Kourtney, Khloe and I obviously have such different personalities, so you can see a piece that is so Kim-designed, or Khloe-designed. We kind of have a rule. Two of us have to agree on a piece, or it can't go in the collection.

Lourdes Leon

About her business: Madonna's daughter has a successful clothing line (sold where?macy's) with her pop star mom, and the duo recently launched a beauty line to go alongside it.

What is the company?material girl beauty

What's it like? Here's a quote from Leon:
There were like 100 million samples and some made me want to vomit, but the ones my mom and I thought were the best, I think are nice and women would wear.

Jennifer Lopez

About her business: The singer and "American Idol" judge has a variety of business ventures, including a clothing line (sold where?kohls) with ex-husband Marc Anthony.

What is the company?jennifer lopez collection

Why? Here's a quote from Lopez:
I'm really a fan of glamour and old Hollywood and movie stars, so I wanted to bring all of those elements of my style into this first collection for [the store].


Jillian Michaels

About her business: The "Biggest Loser" trainer (how many seasons?jillian michaels will leave biggest loser after 11 seasons) has worked hard to build her media company, which produces fitness videos, protein powders, vitamins and related products.

What is the company?empowered media

Why? Here's a quote from Michaels:
[To help] people be happy and healthy in every facet of their lives, whether it's career, relationships or physical well-being.

Ashley Qualls

About her business: In 2004, the 14-year-old from Lincoln Park, Mich., started a website providing MySpace layouts and HTML coding tips, bringing in a lot of money (how much?ashley qualls $1 million in first three years of website) from advertising revenue.

What is the company?whateverlife.com

Why? Here's a quote from Qualls:
I came from a working-class family and $8 bought me a dot-com.

Gale Sayers

About his business: The former running back (whom did he play for?chicago bears), creator and owner of a successful information technology company, created a foundation in 2006 that provides after-school programs for kids.

What is the foundation?gale sayers center

Why? Here's a quote from Sayers:
Our goal is to provide much-needed after-school programs like mentoring, computer technical training and public speaking classes. We know that the more time students spend in school, the better they do personally and academi

Gene Simmons

About his business: The KISS frontman, who received a prestigious award in 2011, has a number of business ventures (like these wacky KISS products) as well as a long-running reality TV show.

What is the show?Gene Simmons Family Jewels

Why is he successful? Here's a quote from Simmons:
I trust my gut. I have to have an emotional connection to what I am ultimately selling because it is emotion, whether you are selling religion, politics, even a breath mint. If you study Warren Buffett, he only invests in what he knows — and he knows what he doesn't know. Never throw money at what you don't know.

Jessica Simpson

About her business: The singer-actress and "Fashion Star" mentor has created an extensive empire (rumored to be worth jessica simpson company worth nearly $1 billion much), selling branded clothes, shoes, handbags, hair extensions and beauty products.

What is the company?jessica simpson collection

Why? Here's a quote from Simpson:
I never expected to do what I've done in the fashion world, but I'm very -- I feel very blessed to be here and [for] everything that we have accomplished. And I think that just keeping the mentality -- I mean, we started off with accessories, and so I originally thought I was just going to do shoes and handbags. And, you know, with the success of that, it just gives you more and more opportunities; so the sky's the limit.

Daniel Wilcox

About his business: The former Baltimore Ravens star launched a remodeling business (named after what?daniel wilcox names company after jersey number) in 2009, working on residential and commercial renovation projects.

What is the company?Mr. 83 Degreez Renovations and Designs

Why? Here's a quote from Wilcox:
After playing football for so long, I didn't want to have a boss anymore. I wanted to be the boss.