Last week I came across an excellent post by Dr. Shannon Reese titled, “Who’s Your Business Crush?” Dr. Reese points out that no matter how many years that you have been in business it is likely that you have a business crush or someone that you admire. This person(s) is where you would like to be in business or keeps you heavily motivated and inspired. I personally have several business crushes and I would like to share my top three (and a bonus crush). My crushes have a few things in common they are: self-made billionaires, philanthropists, and women. They keep me inspired and driven to accomplish my dreams. Without further ado:

Janice Bryant Howroyd: CEO of the Act•1 Group

In 1978 Janice started the Act•1 Group a personl services company with under $1500. To date she Act•1 is a global project employing more than 1300 people in over 240 satellite offices world-wide. Janice is the first black woman to build and own a billion dollar company and her company is recognized as the largest woman minority-owned employment agency in the United States. By the end on 2012 the Act•1 Group is well on it’s way to reaching $ 2 billion. Her motto, “Jobs don’t have futures; people do!”

Sara Blakely: CEO/Founder of Spanx

Sara Blakely has made the Forbes billionaire’s list for her undergarments for women, Spanx. Twelve years ago Blakely, took her life savings of $5,000 and invested in her vision of comfortable womens undergarments. She started from her one bedroom apartment in Atlanta, GA. Today at 41, she is the youngest woman billionaire on the list and she achieved this status with no assistance of a rich husband or an inheritance (You go girl!). Blakely has also hit billionaire status without ever having to pay for advertising and she owns 100% of her company.

Oprah Winfrey: Television Mogul/ CEO of OWN

Oprah Winfrey is best known for her self-titled talk show which has experienced the highest ratings of all times in its genre, nationally syndicated from 1986 until 2011. For a time she was the world’s only black billionaire and has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century. She currently runs her own network, that she admits is harder than she initially thought it would be. She is a philanthropist and arguably one of the most influential women in the world.

BONUS BUSINESS CRUSH

Kelly Dooley: CEO/Founder BodyRock Sport

Kelly is not a billionaire yet, but she will be (mark my words). Kelly is a stylish go-getter that lives and breathes her brand, BodyRock Sport. I met Kelly at the 2012 Stiletto Woman in Business Awards (where she walked away with the ‘Fashion Business of the Year’ award) and I must admit she walks the walk and talks the talk. Kelly created the BodyRock Sport brand in 2009, after she was fed up looking for the perfect sports bra that would incorporate both style and function. The BodyRock Sport brand is an active wear line has been designed for women that do not want to forfeit being stylish for fitness. Women that want their gym garments to be both fashionable and wearable in everyday situations are turning to BodyRock Sport. Kelly has BodyRocked, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Maria Menounos, and more.

My list does not stop with these fabulous ladies, but I think they are a great starting point.

Who are you crushing on in the world of business? Who keeps you inspired, driven, and motivated? Please share your comments in the comments section below.

Ashley Neal is an entrepreneur and small business advocate that enjoys writing about topics pertaining to small business.  She is the owner of Small Biz Writer, where she specializes in providing quality content online for small business owners which in turn increases visibility and sales. Additionally, Ashley is the editor/writer and publisher of her own small business resource blog Small Biz Diamonds. She also writes for Examiner.com as the Atlanta Small Business Examiner, and Future Simple’s small business blog: Growth University.

This post originally appeared on Small Biz Diamonds

Images: Crush on you via, Janice Bryant Howroyd via, Sara Blakely via, Oprah Winfrey via, Kelly Dooley via.