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How To Build A Million-Dollar Business Six hall-of-fame entrepreneurs tell how they did it--and how you can, too.

By Gayle Sato Stodder

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You don't have to be the first or the biggest. Youdon't need the brains of Einstein or the cure for cancer. Youdon't have to be bombastic or even egomaniacal.

Nor is attaining success a question of doing everythingright. Rather, turning your business into a winner is a matter ofvision, intuition, charisma, leadership and character. To build amillion-dollar business, you need the evangelical spark ofSouthwest Airlines Co. CEO Herb Kelleher, the bull's-eyedelivery of Jamba Juice Co. founder Kirk Perron, the innovative eyeof Barnes & Noble Inc. chairman Leonard Riggio, the graciousstamina of Ruth's Chris Steak House founder Ruth Fertel, andthe pioneering spirit of Yahoo! Inc. founders David Filo and JerryYang. Here's how six seemingly ordinary people turned goodideas, real commitment, and perhaps just a touch of irrationaloptimism into real-life tales of fortune.

Southwest Airlines