(MONEY Magazine) – OCCUPATION: CEO, Pro-Line HOME: Dallas

Thirty years ago, Comer J. Cottrell Jr. set out to fill a hole in the marketplace by developing hair-care products for African Americans. Today, privately held Pro-Line is a $63 million cosmetics powerhouse.

When stationed in Japan in the early 1950s, Cottrell managed a PX and noticed that it lacked hair products for African-American soldiers. Afterward, Cottrell worked in sales until 1969, when he and his brother James started Pro-Line with one product, a strawberry-scented hair spray that they sold through barbers and beauticians. The brothers asked their congressman to help them pitch their product to the military. In 1973, the Cottrells booked $1 million in sales.

Now, more than 40 Pro-Line products are sold throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean, and in several African countries. Cottrell's brother has retired, but his daughter and son-in-law are on staff--so Pro-Line will stay in the family.

--KYRA ALFORD