Small Biz

Accidental Entrepreneurs

Tony Little

Health International
St. Petersburg
Founded: 1985
Employees: 8
Revenue: $160 million (2007 retail sales; other revenue n/a)

Tony Little's bodybuilding career was shattered by a near-fatal crash in 1983. He wound up building an empire of branded fitness and health products instead. Inspired by Jane Fonda, he wanted to do a local cable fitness show but needed $15,000 for the airtime. He started a health spa cleaning business—selling $60,000 in contracts his first day. Soon, Little was selling fitness videos through home shopping channels, infomercials, and retail stores. "My goal back when I was a bodybuilder was eventually to have my own vitamin line," he says. Little says his products have sold $3 billion over 25 years.