Entrepreneurs - why I love 'em

For some reason, I'm attracted to entrepreneurs. No, not in that sense. But I enjoy their company, and I love quizzing them about how they started their business. I think my fascinated by people who are what I'm not. I'd love to own my own business, but I'm too stuck in the corporate world, too fascinated by the lure of a steady paycheck and working for one of the world's biggest, coolest companies.

I met an entrepreneur today in Dallas, and as usual, I peppered him with questions. Mr. Lucas is his name. He goes by Luke, and he's responsible for Luke's Locker, that great collection of stores for runners and walkers. He started his business decades ago out of the back of his car trunk, selling running shoes to friends of his who were part of a running club. He was selling Nike shoes even before Nike was called Nike. Very impressive guy, and like millions of Americans, he found his calling by starting his own business.

One of the first entrepreneurs I met in Flower Mound was Rich Schenck. I hope I've spelled his name right, and I hope I remember his story right. Rick, with his wife and parents, opened the UPS Store at 2499 and 3040, back in 1997 or 1998. We did a story with Rick on FOX 4 News back then -- part of a series on different ways to own your own business. Rick and his family bought into the old Mail Boxes Etc franchise, and I think now he owns a handful of stores. Another good story.

You tell me, who are the great entrepreneurs of Flower Mound? Who's built the biggest business from scratch? Who are the gods of small business and industry who live among us? Post a comment.