Business Founders

Finance

Nike was founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. Phil Knight is the primary founder and long time chairman, while Bill Bowerman, a track and field coach, co developed the earl...

Finance

Jimmy John Liautaud founded Jimmy John's in 1983 in Charleston, Illinois, when he was 19 years old. He started the company with a $25,000 loan from his father and opened the fir...

Finance

The founders built SoulCycle around a specific workout format that emphasized rhythm, music, and intensity. Each class was designed to feel like a communal experience rather tha...

Finance

The modern Jelly Belly brand was created by Herman Rowland and his father, Gustav Rowland, who developed the first jelly beans made exclusively with natural flavorings and a fir...

Finance

Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck co-founded Subway in 1965 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with a $1,000 loan from Buck. The first shop was called Pete's Super Submarines, and the two aim...

Finance

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founded Ben & Jerry's in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. They met in junior high school and later took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream makin...

Finance

Panda Express was founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, who are a married couple and business partners. Andrew Cherng is the chairman and co-chief executive officer, and Peggy Che...

Finance

Dutch Bros was founded by Dane and Travis Boersma, brothers who started the company as a pushcart in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon. The founders built the brand around espresso-ba...

Finance

Cassie and Alex Fine met through mutual professional circles in the fitness and business world, where both built careers around branding, coaching, and digital content. Alex Fin...

Finance

The Essentials brand was founded by Jared Leto, the American actor and musician, who launched the personal care and lifestyle line under the parent company 3000 Studios. The com...