Businessperson of the Year

Fueled by sales of blended drinks like orange mango smoothies, caramel machiottos, and pumpkin spice lattes, Schultz's coffeehouse chain more than tripled profits from the previous four quarters, driving Starbucks stock to a three-year high. His latest concoction: instant coffee, a $20 billion market in which Schultz gained a foothold with Via, his so-called "ready brew" that he now sells in 55,000 grocery stores and other outlets around the world. Free Wi-Fi in his own stores makes the customers even happier.

--P.N.

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