Forbes Staff1. Lewis Raymond Taylor
Lewis Raymond Taylor, PhDc, is not just a success story; he is a visionary leader revolutionizing the fields of education and coaching. After transforming his life in 2015, overcoming immense challenges such as sexual abuse, substance misuse, bereavement, trauma, multiple prison sentences, and with a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder, Lewis turned to coaching to rebuild his life.
Today, he is the founder of The Coaching Masters Group, a $25 million enterprise comprising CoachFlix, CoachApp, Café Coach, and Alternalearn. Recognized by Yahoo Finance as one of the top ten coaches globally and featured in Forbes, Lewis has built a thriving community of 10,000 customers across 85 countries. He is also a TEDx speaker and the star of the Netflix UK documentary, *The Psychopath Life Coach*.
Lewis is also the innovative creator of the world’s first virtual reality coaching platform integrated with AI-simulated teaching, which is set to revolutionize the coaching industry.
Currently pursuing a PhD in Coaching & Business Management, Lewis is focused on disrupting traditional education systems, offering alternative pathways for individuals to thrive in today’s world, with a groundbreaking new venture set to launch in 2025. His forthcoming book, published by Penguin and slated for release next year, further secures his role as a thought leader in the industry.
Lewis’s transformative impact in 2024 cements his place as our top entrepreneurs to watch in 2024, with even greater achievements on the horizon for 2025.
2. Thomas Carter
Thomas Carter is an accomplished entrepreneur, innovator, visionary, and leader in financial technology and blockchain, with over 30 years of experience in capital markets. His journey began in the 1980s with the founding of Thruster, where he helped pioneer the wakeboard industry, eventually taking the company public. He also founded NetRom, which he took public as well.
In 2016, Carter founded Deal Box, an entrepreneur and investor centric fintech-blockchain platform. Following this, he led the acquisition of True I/O, where he serves as Chairman, integrating blockchain technology into digital asset management.
In 2023, Carter launched Deal Box Ventures, a $100 million investment fund focused on emerging growth, Web3, digital assets, tokenization, and AI companies. Reinforcing his commitment to advancing the new digital economy. His innovative leadership continues to set new standards in financial technology and secure digital transactions. For more insights into his work, visit his website at thomascarter.io.
3. Jenaya Lee
Jenaya Lee is a 16 year old international model based in Switzerland and France. She is famous for having been ranked 83rd most beautiful face in the world in 2021 in the international reference ranking “The 100 most beautiful faces” by Tc Candler.
Jenaya works as a model for many important brands and participates in fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, London, New York and Geneva.
She is also regularly invited to Cannes to climb the steps of the Palais des Festivals.
Since 2022, Jenaya Lee is also a businesswoman who has developed no less than three brands with Parisian luxury entrepreneur Anggy Haïf. She is the face of the brand « Chloé Klaridge by Jenaya Lee”, which sells the perfume of the same name, the brand Jenaya Lee DigiArt, which sells paintings of the model, sold in particular to Jenaya’s 350,000 followers, all social media combined and trench coats with paintings and Jenaya Lee clothing, which notably sells magnificent evening dresses
4. Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a visionary in the digital marketing landscape, with over two decades of experience navigating the intricate world of search engine optimization. As the founder of Website Rescue, a leading SEO agency in Fort Lauderdale, Tim’s approach blends deep business insight with cutting-edge digital strategies. His commitment to transparency and client ROI sets him apart; he meticulously analyzes each campaign to ensure meaningful returns, turning away clients when necessary to uphold his integrity.
Tim’s dedication extends beyond client success to fostering genuine relationships. He values long-term connections over short-term gains, a principle that has guided his career and shaped his agency’s ethos. Outside of his professional life, Tim enjoys exploring Miami’s diverse culinary scene and vibrant culture. He is also profoundly influenced by serial entrepreneur Nick Molina, a mentor and close friend who has significantly shaped his journey. Connect with Tim on Website Rescue and his social media platforms for more insights.
5. Henrique Dubugras
Henrique Dubugras is a young entrepreneur and co-founder of Brex, a financial technology company based in the United States. Born in Brazil, Dubugras moved to the U.S. for college but decided to drop out of Stanford University to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. He launched Brex with his partner Pedro Franceschi to provide tailored financial solutions for startups, particularly in managing expenses and accessing credit.
Brex quickly became a major player in the fintech space, offering innovative corporate credit cards and cash management accounts that have attracted significant investment from top venture capital firms. Dubugras’s vision and leadership have been pivotal in Brex’s growth, securing a multi-billion-dollar valuation and reshaping the financial landscape for startups.
6. Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, is a pioneer in the fashion industry, having created a billion-dollar company from a simple idea and a $5,000 investment. With no formal business training, Blakely designed the first Spanx product out of a desire to feel more comfortable and confident in her clothes. She then took her product from a homegrown startup to a global phenomenon, revolutionizing the way women think about shapewear and undergarments.
Blakely’s journey is a testament to perseverance and creative problem-solving. She encountered numerous rejections before finally securing her first major retail deal, but her determination paid off. Today, Spanx is synonymous with body positivity and innovation in women’s fashion. Beyond her business success, Blakely is also known for her philanthropy, having pledged to give away half of her wealth to charitable causes, further cementing her legacy as a leader who empowers women both through her products and her actions.
7. Lucy Guo
Lucy Guo is a co-founder of Scale AI, a data-labeling company that provides high-quality training data for machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. Born and raised in the United States, Guo has a background in computer science and previously worked at tech companies like Snap Inc. and Quora before starting her entrepreneurial journey.
At Scale AI, Guo played a crucial role in developing the company’s technology and securing partnerships with major enterprises. Her efforts have helped Scale AI grow rapidly, achieving a multi-billion-dollar valuation and becoming a key player in the AI industry. Guo’s innovative approach to data annotation and commitment to advancing AI technology have made her one of the most promising young founders in the tech world.
8. Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva, has revolutionized the graphic design industry with her user-friendly online platform. What started as a small startup aimed at making design accessible has now grown into a multi-billion dollar company used by millions of people worldwide. Canva’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows anyone, regardless of their design experience, to create professional-quality graphics for a variety of purposes, from social media posts to presentations.
Perkins’ vision was to democratize design, and her success with Canva reflects her commitment to this mission. She faced numerous challenges in the early stages, including securing funding and convincing investors of her idea’s potential. However, her perseverance paid off, and Canva has now become an indispensable tool for individuals and businesses alike. Perkins’ journey from a college student with a big idea to the CEO of a global tech company is inspiring for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.
9. Alexandr Wang
Alexandr Wang is the co-founder and CEO of Scale AI, a company he started at just 19 years old while attending MIT. Based in San Francisco, Scale AI specializes in providing high-quality training data to power artificial intelligence models. Wang’s innovative approach to data labeling and his focus on building efficient tools have been instrumental in Scale AI’s rapid growth.
Under Wang’s leadership, Scale AI has secured partnerships with major companies in various sectors, including autonomous vehicles and healthcare. The company’s valuation has soared to billions, establishing Wang as a leading figure in the tech industry. His entrepreneurial spirit and technical expertise have made him one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the U.S.
10. Whitney Wolfe Herd
Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder and CEO of Bumble, has revolutionized the online dating world by putting women in control of the conversation. After leaving Tinder, Wolfe Herd set out to create a safer, more empowering dating platform where women make the first move. This innovative approach quickly resonated with users, leading Bumble to become one of the fastest-growing dating apps globally, and positioning Wolfe Herd as a trailblazer in the tech industry.
Bumble’s success under Wolfe Herd’s leadership extends beyond dating. The platform has expanded into networking and social spaces, providing women with more opportunities to connect professionally and personally. Wolfe Herd’s vision for Bumble is not just about dating but about fostering respect and meaningful connections in all areas of life. Her journey as an entrepreneur is an inspiring example of how determination and a commitment to positive change can lead to extraordinary success.
