Discover the inspiring stories of successful entrepreneurs and executives in our collection of captivating business biographies.
Alfred P. Sloan rose from an engineering career to the presidency of General Motors, where he helped build a new approach to corporate organization and automotive marketing. His story also includes labor conflict, medical research philanthropy and a contested management legacy.
William R. Hewlett co-founded Hewlett-Packard with David Packard, invented the firm’s original audio oscillator and later guided its growth. His life also included scientific honors, university service and the creation of lasting philanthropic institutions.
Andrew Stephen Grove was Intel’s first hire and a key leader in its move away from DRAM memory. This biography follows competitive pressure, restructuring, and later challenges at the company he led.
Milton S. Hershey went from failed candy ventures to a successful caramel company, then shifted to affordable milk chocolate. His life also encompassed the town of Hershey, a school founded with his wife, and difficult labor and financial episodes.
Michael Dell founded PC’s Limited in 1984 and expanded it through direct sales and customized computers. The story also includes a costly retail experiment, management changes and his return to the CEO role.
John D. Rockefeller entered the oil business as a partner in a Cleveland refinery. From its growth into Standard Oil to the 1911 civil antitrust decision, his business career reshaped American petroleum refining.
Ted Turner took over an indebted billboard business, helped build CNN and later lost control of the broadcasting company he created. His life also encompassed sailing, conservation and major international philanthropy.
James Lewis Kraft began in the cheese trade with a modest delivery operation in Chicago. His life story follows the brothers who joined him, the move into manufacturing, his preservation patent, and the changing business that carried his name.
John DeLorean became a leading General Motors executive before founding the company behind the stainless-steel DMC-12. His story spans automotive innovation, a troubled factory in Northern Ireland, two criminal acquittals and an unexpected place in film history.
Ross Perot founded EDS, co-founded Perot Systems and became a nationally prominent independent presidential candidate. His story also includes a public clash with General Motors, Texas school reform, veterans’ advocacy and philanthropy.