Profiles in Wealth: Bahram Akbadi, $180 million

"I basically had a problem following orders," says Bahram Akbadi of his pre-entrepreneur life. So he founded Life Time Fitness Inc. in 1992, after having worked at U.S. Swim & Fitness clubs for several years. A native of Tehran, Iran he came to the U.S. at age 17 and held various odd jobs while attending the Univ. of Colorado. He was ahead of the curve in seeing that consumers would want full-service fitness clubs with amenities like flat screen TVs, nutrition counseling, and cafes. His goal was to create "a sense of place that appeals to all the senses." 

Now with the more than 114 Life Time Fitness centers around the country, Akradi in March agreed to sell his company. His take: $180 million. "I tell people, 'Watch your customer. See what they want. If you can react fast enough, you can't go wrong."

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Profiles in Wealth: Debra Waller, $90 million

"I'm not like other CEOs," says Jockey International CEO Debra Waller. Adopted as an infant into the family that owned what was then called Cooper's Underwear Co., Waller became CEO of the underwear manufacturer in 2001. A teacher before she joined Jockey in 1982, she has focused the company's philanthropy on support for adoptive families and initiatives to encourage adoption. "In my mind," she says, "every kid should have a home." And some underwear.

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    Profiles in wealth:  Melvin Zuckerman, $50 million

       
       Mel Zuckerman was, oh, about two decades ahead of his time. As the founder of Arizona's Canyon Ranch spa in 1979, Zuckerman's own declining health was his 'aha' moment. He was 50 pounds overweight and struggling with high blood pressure, ulcers - his doctor told the then 49-year old Zuckerman that he had the body of a "70 year old man." So he built Canyon Ranch in Tucson, a resort that would mix the "fat farm" concept of the 60s and 70s with the pampering of a spa and focus on mind, body, and spirit. It was so successful he built a second Canyon Ranch and sold his company in 1996. 

       But it didn't come easy. When he first tried to raise money for Canyon Ranch a banker walked out on him, saying "You lost a lot more than weight at that California fat farm - you lost your blankety blank mind." Says Zuckerman, "So I got up, politely gave him the bird, and said 'I'll do it on my own'. Which I did."

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