Success Stories

These American companies, all founded more than 150 years ago, are still thriving today.

Tom Sailors, founder and owner of Mermaid Pillow Company, shares his strategies for how he grew his business using Facebook ads.

With reasonable regulations, Stumpy's Hatchet House makes BYOB hatchet throwing safe for all customers.

Two parents-turned-entrepreneurs founded ToyLibrary, a company that allows families to rent expensive LEGO play sets and other educational toys instead of purchasing them for their children.

Olivia Skuza knows firsthand that women can face gender-related challenges when pitching investors, especially if their co-founder is male. Here's what she learned during the funding process for her...

It may not be easy to do, but with the right strategy, blogging can become more than just a hobby. Here are a few ways to start a blog and earn money from it.

When Kat Connor, a marshmallow maker, started selling her confections in Lindzi Shanks' boutique, they knew they'd be great business partners. Here's how they launched an online shop and marshmallow...

The creator of "Blue's Clues" has a failed attempt at cheerleading to thank for her success. Now, she's launched a new project for kids called yummico.

Joshua Moore and his co-founder Odini Gogo left their law careers behind and started a retail business selling one-of-a-kind shoes and travel accessories. Here's their story.

When Tom Wood first became CEO of Floor Coverings International, some of his new colleagues doubted he could lead the company to success. Today they're known as the No. 1 Flooring Franchise in North...

Esthetician Gina Pulisciano started her company, Alchemy Holistics, by accident: She created her own line of facial products for her clients, who wanted to purchase them for home use. Here's how...

CPA Tyler Winn gave up accounting to focus on building a payroll practice. Here's how he did it.

Payal Kindiger was inspired to create Storymakery, a children's self-publishing program, after seeing her daughter's own creative writing projects. Here's how she used her tech background to get it...

Looking for a better way to keep her son's lunch cold, Melissa Kieling got creative and sewed a freezer gel pack inside the lining of a lunchbox. The result? PackIt lunchboxes.

Here are 12 ways Jobs' Apple has changed the way we work.

Businesses can learn a lot from these nonprofit organizations with unique causes and business models.

In a three-month span, Tim Chatfield moved his family from Australia to the U.S., had a baby and launched a startup. Here's what he learned about work-life balance along the way.

Professional painter Carmelo Marsala realized there was a market for factory-finish, durable exterior paints. At 23, he formulated his own coating for Spray-Net, Inc., and today he's looking to...

Marie Rosecrans was raised by parents who immigrated to the U.S. and started a small business. Here's what this Salesforce SVP learned from them about business success.

Mike Jaynes worked at a Marco's Pizza as a young adult to earn money for college. He bonded with the founder, who became his mentor, and now Jaynes serves as a franchisee and an EVP for the company.

Macaire Douglas began selling her son's clothing and sharing brands she loved over Instagram. This soon blossomed into a full-fledged e-commerce store and retail studio.

Rita Goldberg has been a swimmer for most of her life, and has spent the last nearly 40 years running her franchised company, British Swim School. Here's what swimming has taught her about business.

At age 27, Marcia Donziger found herself with advanced ovarian cancer. After her experiences, she launched MyLifeLine.org as a web-based support system for cancer patients and their families.

A recession can mean opportunity, and our experts showcase five examples to inspire business owners everywhere.

After nearly a decade as a Tumbles franchisee, Manish Vakil purchased the company and now serves as the CEO. Here's his story.

Perhaps you've had a great business idea or come up with a clever invention and then never followed through because you didn't think your idea stood a chance at succeeding.

Music has always been a part of Tom Krouse's life. He attributes his leadership success at Donatos Pizza to his ability to connect with an audience, as he does in his band.