MAXINE CLARK is the founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop®. A veteran of the retail industry, she has been widely recognized for her innovative work and is regularly featured in the media. Clark spent twenty years with The May Department Stores Company and later served as president of Payless ShoeSource, which she turned into the number one seller of children's licensed footwear in the world. Since 1997, Clark has focused her attention on Build-A-Bear Workshop, a retail store that lets customers create their own stuffed companions. The first store opened in 1997, and there are¿now more than 200 locations around the world.

AMY JOYNER is a former award-winning business reporter who has written on entrepreneurship for many years. She is a small business expert as well as author of The eBay Millionaire and coauthor of Making Dough, both published by Wiley.