Angels and Entrepreneurs

Book excerpt: Bob Schlegel grew up on a struggling family farm, and like his entrepreneurial father, he took charge of his destiny by starting his own businesses—often more than one at a time. He and his wife Myrna partnered together in their early endeavors and raised a family of entrepreneurs. Their diverse startups included a chain of fifteen superior nursing and retirement centers, as well as the nation’s leading manufacturer of paving stones and landscaping materials. Though they faced substantial challenges and even near-bankruptcy, they persevered and built highly profitable enterprises with the help of “angels”—both earthly and heavenly. Bob shares his experiences—his failures as well as his successes—with the goal of inspiring others to start their own businesses.