Before she became the world's wealthiest novelist, Harry Potter author JK Rowling was raising her daughter on welfare. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Nordstrom
The clothing giant started as one West Coast shoe store, started on Swedish immigrant's minor fortunre of $13,000, which he earned in the Alaskan gold mines.(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Richard Desmond
The UK publishing power player dropped out of school when he learned he could make more money working at a club. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images)
Garage Where Google Was Founded
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin rented this garage Menlo Park, California for $1,700 a month to set up Google in (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Wrigley Gum
William Wrigley, Jr., who immigrated to America in 1891 with $32 to his name. His company took off when he started giving gum as an extra when customers bought his baking powder.(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Starbucks Coffee
The mega-chain began in 1971 as one store in downtown Seattle. Three friends invested $1350 each of their own money. Imagine that return!(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
Mattel
Barbie's manufacturer started as a picture frame company in Ruth Handler's garage. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Ebay
eBay headquart6ers in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Dell
The computer company started with $1,000 and a dorm room. Its headquarters was in the Michael Dell's University of Texas student living until he decided to drop out to run the company full time. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Whole Foods
Way back when, Whole Foods was one lonely store in 1980, and also home sweet home to owners John Mackey and Rene Lawson. They even used the dishwasher as a shower. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
