Barbara Corcoran

She's been an icon of entrepreneurship for decades-first as a New York City real estate maven and then as a Shark. But even at 73, she still leans on some early lessons learned.

- Christine Lagorio-Chafkin

BEFORE SHE WAS real estate royalty turned Shark Tank star, Barbara Corcoran accepted $1,000 from her then-boyfriend to quit her waitressing job and start her first real estate business alongside him. She led her second firm, the Corcoran Group, for 23 years, growing it into the largest real estate group in New York City before selling it for $66 million in 2001. Today, when she's not on the set, or advising the companies she's invested in, or managing her own personal brand, she hosts her podcast, Business Unusual-and is eager to lend some helpful advice to up-and-coming founders.