Saturday, September 6, 2008, 9:21PM ET - U.S. Markets Closed.

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	6.08%	6.26%
  15 Year Fixed	5.62%	5.77%
  1 Year ARM	5.94%	5.92%
  30 Year Fixed Jumbo	7.13%	7.36%
  5/1 ARM	5.78%	5.92%
  3/1 ARM	5.63%	5.73%

  Source: Bankrate
• Home Equity

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  $30K Home Equity Loan	7.59%	7.63%
  $50K Home Equity Loan	7.19%	7.25%
  $75K Home Equity Loan	7.20%	7.26%
  $30K HELOC	5.16%	5.17%
  $50K HELOC	4.77%	4.80%
  $75K HELOC	4.77%	4.81%

  Source: Bankrate
• Savings

  Savings Type	Today	Last Week
  6 month CD	3.15%	3.16%
  1 year CD	3.69%	3.65%
  3 year CD	3.87%	3.85%
  MMA	2.43%	2.45%
  $10K MMA	2.69%	2.72%
  $25K MMA	3.02%	3.07%

  Source: Bankrate
• Auto

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  36 Month New Car Loan	6.70%	6.72%
  48 Month New Car Loan	6.49%	6.51%
  60 Month New Car Loan	6.51%	6.52%
  72 Month New Car Loan	6.44%	6.44%
  36 Month Used Car Loan	7.07%	7.08%
  48 Month Used Car Loan	6.82%	6.81%

  Source: Bankrate
• Credit Cards

  Card Type	Today	Last Week
  Balance Transfer	10.31%	10.03%
  Low Interest	11.01%	10.97%
  For Bad Credit	13.02%	13.12%
  Cash Back	11.47%	11.46%
  Business	11.10%	10.91%
  Airline	12.75%	12.69%

  Source: CreditCards.com

View rates in your area

Most Popular Articles

• Verizon Network Performs Well Under Hanna's SoakingPR Newswire - Sat, Sep 6 - 7:46pm ET
• Fannie, Freddie's boards meet Saturday to mull government planReuters - Sat, Sep 6 - 7:14pm ET
• CBS and The Kraft Group Open the CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar, a One-of-a-Kind Entertainment and Dining DestinationPR Newswire - Sat, Sep 6 - 6:30pm ET
• Treasury plan won't help Fannie, Freddie shareholders: FrankReuters - Sat, Sep 6 - 5:49pm ET

View more popular articles

Historical chart data and daily updates provided by Commodity Systems, Inc. (CSI). International historical chart data and daily updates provided by Morningstar, Inc. Fundamental company data provided by Capital IQ. Quotes and other information supplied by independent providers identified on the Yahoo! Finance partner page. Quotes are updated automatically, but will be turned off after 25 minutes of inactivity. Quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes. Real-Time continuous streaming quotes are available through our premium service. You may turn streaming quotes on or off. All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Neither Yahoo! nor any of independent providers is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. By accessing the Yahoo! site, you agree not to redistribute the information found therein.

Yahoo! Answers is provided for informational purposes only, and no Q&A is intended for trading or investing purposes. Yahoo! shall not be responsible or liable for the accuracy, usefulness or availability of any Q&A information, and shall not be responsible or liable for any trading or investment decisions based on such information. View Complete Answers Disclaimer.