Throughout history, certain individuals have distinguished themselves as the best businessman through their vision, innovation, and ability to transform entire industries. These remarkable leaders didn’t just build companies—they revolutionized how we live, work, and conduct business. From self-made entrepreneurs who started with nothing to visionaries who overcame tremendous obstacles, this comprehensive guide explores the 20 best businessmen who left an indelible mark on the world of commerce.
What Makes the Best Businessman?
Before diving into our list, it’s important to understand what qualities separate a good business leader from the best businessman. These exceptional individuals typically share common traits: innovative thinking, resilience in the face of adversity, the ability to identify market opportunities others miss, and the courage to take calculated risks. Many of the examples featured here were self-made, rising from humble beginnings to create business empires that continue to influence markets today.
This list isn’t a ranking — it’s simply a collection of the best businessmen of all time.
The 20 Best Businessmen of All Time
1. John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)
John D. Rockefeller stands as perhaps the most legendary best businessman in American history, having built Standard Oil into one of the world’s first and largest multinational corporations. Starting as a bookkeeper, Rockefeller demonstrated the qualities of the best businessman by systematically acquiring competitors and controlling every aspect of oil production, from drilling to distribution. His business acumen was so exceptional that at his peak, he controlled 90% of America’s oil industry, making him arguably the wealthiest person in modern history when adjusted for inflation. What makes Rockefeller the greatest businessman of his era was his ability to see inefficiencies in the market and create solutions that benefited both his company and consumers through lower prices.
2. Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919)
Andrew Carnegie exemplifies the self-made best businessman, having immigrated from Scotland as a poor child and ultimately becoming America’s steel king. Carnegie’s rise to become the best businessman in the steel industry began when he recognized the potential of the Bessemer steel-making process and invested heavily in the technology. His vertical integration strategy, controlling everything from raw materials to finished products, demonstrated the strategic thinking of the best businessman. Carnegie’s greatest achievement was building Carnegie Steel Company into the largest steel producer in the world, before selling it to J.P. Morgan for $480 million in 1901, making him one of the richest men alive and establishing his legacy as the best businessman of the industrial age.
3. Henry Ford (1863-1947)
Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing and earned his place as the best businessman in automotive history by making cars affordable for the average American. Ford’s innovation of the assembly line production method transformed not just the automobile industry but manufacturing worldwide. His introduction of the $5 daily wage for workers was unprecedented and showed the hismentality of understanding that well-paid workers become customers. Ford’s Model T became the first mass-produced automobile, and his company’s success demonstrated how the he combined innovation with practical business sense to create lasting change.
4. Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
Thomas Edison proved that the best businessman can also be the world’s greatest inventor, holding over 1,000 patents while building a business empire around his innovations. Edison’s approach was to create practical inventions that could be commercialized, including the phonograph, motion picture camera, and the incandescent light bulb. His establishment of General Electric demonstrated how the best businessman thinks beyond single products to create systems and infrastructure. Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory became the world’s first industrial research facility, showing how great businesspeople invest in research and development to maintain competitive advantages and continue innovating.
5. Walt Disney (1901-1966)
Walt Disney transformed entertainment and proved that the best businessman can build empires from creativity and imagination. Starting with simple cartoon animations, Disney demonstrated the vision by expanding into feature films, theme parks, and multimedia entertainment. His creation of Disneyland revolutionized the amusement park industry and showed how to create immersive experiences that generated multiple revenue streams. Disney’s ability to overcome bankruptcy and numerous setbacks while maintaining his creative vision exemplifies the resilience required of the the very best businessmen, ultimately building a entertainment conglomerate that continues to dominate global markets decades after his death.
6. Sam Walton (1918-1992)
Sam Walton built Walmart into the world’s largest retailer by embodying the customer-focused approach. Starting with a single discount store in Arkansas, Walton demonstrated the strategy of understanding rural markets that larger retailers ignored. His commitment to “Always Low Prices” and efficient supply chain management made him the best businessman in retail by offering consumers unprecedented value. Walton’s hands-on leadership style and focus on employee motivation showed how the great businessmen build corporate culture that drives success, creating a retail empire that continues to be the world’s largest company by revenue.
7. Ray Kroc (1902-1984)
Ray Kroc transformed a small burger operation into McDonald’s global empire, proving that the best businessman can revolutionize existing concepts through systematic franchise development. Kroc’s genius was recognizing that McDonald’s success lay not just in food but in creating a replicable business system. His standardization of operations, training programs, and quality control established the modern franchise model that is used today across countless industries. Kroc’s ability to scale a local restaurant into a global brand with over 40,000 locations worldwide demonstrates how the best businessmen think globally while maintaining consistent local execution.
8. Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
Steve Jobs redefined multiple industries and earned recognition as the best businessman of the digital age through his leadership at Apple. Jobs’ approach was to focus obsessively on design and user experience, creating products that consumers didn’t know they needed. His return to Apple after being ousted showed the resilience and vision, transforming a near-bankrupt company into the world’s most valuable corporation. Jobs’ innovations including the iPhone, iPad, and iTunes ecosystem demonstrated how the best businessmen create integrated products that revolutionize entire market categories and establish new consumer behaviors.
9. Bill Gates (1955-)
Bill Gates built Microsoft into the world’s largest software company and established himself as the best businessman in technology by recognizing the potential of personal computing. Gates’ strategic decision to retain ownership of MS-DOS while licensing it to IBM showed forward-thinking approach. His vision that every home would have a personal computer seemed impossible at the time but proved prescient, making him the one of the best businessmen in software development. Gates’ transition from businessman to philanthropist, giving away most of his fortune through the Gates Foundation, demonstrates how the best businessmen can use success to address global challenges.
10. Warren Buffett (1930-)
Warren Buffett earned the title of the best businessman in investing through his value investing approach and leadership of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett’s philosophy focuses on buying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals and holding them long-term. His ability to generate consistent returns over decades while maintaining transparency with shareholders exemplifies the integrity of the best businessman. Buffett’s annual letters to shareholders have become essential reading for investors worldwide, showing how the best businessmen share knowledge and build trust that extends far beyond immediate business interests.
11. J.P. Morgan (1837-1913)
J.P. Morgan dominated American finance and proved himself the best businessman in banking through his ability to stabilize markets during economic crises. Morgan’s power was so significant that he personally helped end the Panic of 1907 by organizing private financing to support failing banks. His creation of massive industrial combinations, including U.S. Steel and General Electric, demonstrated how the best businessman shapes entire industries through strategic mergers and acquisitions. Morgan’s influence extended beyond business to art collecting and philanthropy, showing how the best businessmen can impact culture and society beyond pure commerce.
12. Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877)
Cornelius Vanderbilt built transportation empires in shipping and railroads, establishing himself as the best businessman of the 19th century through relentless competition and innovation. Starting with a single ferry boat, Vanderbilt showed the self-made determination by expanding into steamship operations across America’s waterways. His transition to railroads demonstrated the adaptability of the best businessman, recognizing technological shifts and positioning accordingly. Vanderbilt’s aggressive competitive tactics and focus on efficiency made him one of the best businessmen in transportation, controlling the New York Central Railroad and establishing a dynasty that influenced American business for generations.
13. Jack Welch (1935-2020)
Jack Welch transformed General Electric during his 20-year tenure as CEO, earning recognition as the best businessman in corporate management through his focus on efficiency and performance. Welch’s approach involved divesting underperforming divisions while investing heavily in profitable ones, increasing GE’s market value from $14 billion to $410 billion. His management philosophy of ranking employees and eliminating the bottom 10% annually became a benchmark for the practices in corporate America. Welch’s emphasis on leadership development and continuous improvement showed how the best businessman builds organizational capabilities that outlast any individual leader.
14. Howard Schultz (1953-)
Howard Schultz built Starbucks into the world’s largest coffeehouse chain by understanding how the best businessman creates experiences, not just products. Schultz’s vision was to bring Italian café culture to America, transforming coffee from a commodity into a premium experience. His focus on employee benefits, including healthcare and stock options for part-time workers, demonstrated how the best businessman builds loyalty through genuine care for workforce welfare. Schultz’s expansion of Starbucks from 11 stores to over 30,000 locations worldwide shows how the best businessman scales local concepts into global phenomena while maintaining brand integrity.
15. Akio Morita (1921-1999)
Akio Morita co-founded Sony and became the best businessman in consumer electronics by introducing Japanese innovation to global markets. Morita’s approach involved creating products that enhanced people’s lives, from transistor radios to the revolutionary Walkman. His understanding of global markets made him the best businessman in international expansion, establishing Sony as the first Japanese company to achieve worldwide brand recognition. Morita’s ability to anticipate consumer needs and deliver innovative solutions demonstrated how the best businessman combines technical expertise with market insight to create products that define entire categories.
16. Ingvar Kamprad (1926-2018)
Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA and became the best businessman in furniture retail by making stylish home furnishings accessible to everyone. Kamprad’s innovation was the flat-pack concept, allowing customers to transport and assemble furniture themselves, dramatically reducing costs. His frugal management style and focus on efficiency exemplified how the best businessman maintains profitability while offering value to customers. Kamprad’s expansion of IKEA to over 400 stores in 50 countries showed how the best businessman adapts a successful concept to diverse global markets while maintaining core principles of affordability and design.
17. Larry Ellison (1944-)
Larry Ellison built Oracle into the world’s second-largest software company, establishing himself as the best businessman in database technology through aggressive innovation and competition. Ellison’s approach involved consistently pushing technological boundaries while maintaining focus on enterprise customers’ critical needs. His willingness to compete directly with larger companies like IBM and Microsoft demonstrated the competitive spirit of the best businessman. Ellison’s transformation of Oracle from a startup to a global technology leader shows how the best businessman combines technical vision with strategic execution to dominate specialized markets.
18. Michael Dell (1965-)
Michael Dell revolutionized personal computer manufacturing and became the best businessman in direct-to-consumer sales through his innovative business model. Dell’s approach was to eliminate intermediaries and sell custom-built computers directly to customers, reducing costs and improving service. His college dorm room startup grew into Dell Technologies, proving that the best businessman can disrupt established industries through innovative thinking. Dell’s focus on supply chain efficiency and customer customization demonstrated how the best businessman uses operational excellence to create competitive advantages that are difficult for competitors to replicate.
19. Richard Branson (1950-)
Richard Branson built the Virgin brand across multiple industries, proving that the best businessman can successfully diversify while maintaining consistent brand values. Branson’s approach emphasizes customer service, employee satisfaction, and challenging established industries with innovative approaches. His expansion from music retail to airlines, telecommunications, and space travel shows how he identifies opportunities across diverse markets. Branson’s adventurous public persona and willingness to take calculated risks demonstrate how the best businessmen build personal brand equity that enhances all business ventures.
20. Elon Musk (1971-)
Elon Musk has established himself as the best businessman of the modern era through his leadership of multiple revolutionary companies including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and PayPal. Musk’s approach involves tackling seemingly impossible challenges in electric vehicles, space exploration, and sustainable energy. His ability to attract top talent and secure funding for ambitious projects demonstrates how the best businessman combines vision with execution. Musk’s willingness to invest his own fortune into his companies and work alongside employees shows the hands-on commitment of the best businessman, driving innovations that are reshaping transportation, energy, and space exploration.
Lessons from the Best Businessman Examples
These 20 individuals represent the pinnacle of business achievement, each demonstrating unique aspects of what makes the best businessman. Common themes among these best businessman examples include the ability to identify market opportunities, resilience in overcoming obstacles, innovation in products or processes, and the vision to build lasting organizations. Many were self-made entrepreneurs who started with limited resources but unlimited ambition.
The best businessman examples show us that success comes from combining innovative thinking with practical execution, understanding customer needs, and building strong organizational cultures. Whether through technological innovation, operational efficiency, or market expansion, each of these best businessman leaders found ways to create value for customers while building sustainable competitive advantages.