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Unlikely Millionaires

Monday, May 19, 2008

We all fantasize about coming up with a million-dollar idea, but who actually lives the dream? Here are some success stories, as well as a look at how great entrepreneurs manage to make their mark...
10 Secrets of Breakthrough Businesses Inc.com After studying thousands of fast-growing private companies, author Keith McFarland explains why some businesses break through while so many do not.
A Million-Dollar Turnaround BusinessWeek At the age of 24, Bob Williamson was a homeless, broke drug addict. Now 61, Williamson presides over a multi-million-dollar software company. Learn how he made the transformation. Bear Naked Ambition: The Inside Start-Up Story Fortune Small Business Bear Naked founders Kelly Flatley and Brendan Synnott tell how they used guerrilla marketing and a wholesome image to build a powerhouse natural-food brand.
	Mena and Ben Trott Previous Lives: Laid-off Web designer and developer Big Break: Created software for a personal blog Bottom Line: Software became an industry standard
	Josh Abramson and Ricky Van Veen Previous Lives: College students Big Break: Created a website to trade jokes while attending different colleges Bottom line: The site now boasts more than 8 million unique visitors a month
	Catherine, Dave, and Geoff Cook Previous Lives: High school students Big Break: Teenagers at the dawn of the social media era Bottom Line: MyYearbook.com has, at times, grown faster than Facebook or MySpace.
	Richard and Betty James Previous Life: Navy tool worker and homemaker Big Break: Saw a spring coil fall off a table Bottom Line: Called it a Slinky and sold 250 million of them
	Thales Panagides Previous Life: Launched an Internet service provider in Brazil Big Break: Met a fellow Greek expat who made bikinis Bottom Line: Became the world's largest independent distributor of Brazilian bikinis
	Carole Nash Previous Life: Laid-off receptionist Lucky Break: Was given a small portfolio of insurance policies as a severance package Bottom Line: Recently sold her insurance businesses for more than $100 million
Is Your Great Idea a Real Business? Up and Running in 30 Days 6 Hobbies That Can Make You Money Video: Turn a Hobby Into a Business – Part 1 | Part 2
Save an Extra $451 Per Month and Turn It Into $1 Million 5 Things You Can Do to Make Your Salary Soar 5 Rules for Schmoozing at Work The Job Slump: Why Men Are Hurting More Than Women Reputation Management Services: The New Career Accessory?

Rates

See today's average rates across the country.

• Mortgage

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  30 Year Fixed	5.13%	5.16%
  15 Year Fixed	4.70%	4.60%
  1 Year ARM	3.98%	4.00%
  30 Year Fixed Jumbo	6.06%	6.10%
  5/1 ARM	4.30%	4.26%
  3/1 ARM	4.75%	4.80%

  Source: Bankrate
• Home Equity

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  $30K Home Equity Loan	8.35%	8.39%
  $50K Home Equity Loan	8.36%	8.41%
  $75K Home Equity Loan	8.39%	8.44%
  $30K HELOC	5.24%	5.26%
  $50K HELOC	4.99%	5.00%
  $75K HELOC	4.99%	5.00%

  Source: Bankrate
• Savings

  Savings Type	Today	Last Week
  6 month CD	1.13%	1.15%
  1 year CD	1.61%	1.63%
  3 year CD	2.28%	2.29%
  MMA	1.04%	1.05%
  $10K MMA	1.13%	1.13%
  $25K MMA	1.34%	1.35%

  Source: Bankrate
• Auto

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  36 Month New Car Loan	6.90%	6.96%
  48 Month New Car Loan	7.05%	7.12%
  60 Month New Car Loan	7.11%	7.18%
  36 Month Used Car Loan	7.39%	7.43%
  48 Month Used Car Loan	7.50%	7.51%

  Source: Bankrate
• Credit Cards

  Card Type	Today	Last Week
  Business Credit Cards	9.69%	9.69%
  Low Interest Credit Cards	11.91%	11.91%
  Cash Back Credit Cards	12.36%	12.36%
  Reward Credit Cards	12.85%	12.85%
  Instant Approval Credit Cards	13.32%	13.32%
  Balance Transfer Credit Cards	13.46%	13.46%

  Source: CreditCards.com

View rates in your area

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