Andre Hudson 34
Design Manager
Hyundai Design North America Irvine, CA
It was passion that steered Hudson to design cars. After receiving his first auto magazine in junior high school, his career path became clear. “Chrysler was doing some amazing concept cars, I remember how inspired I was by the Prowler and the Dodge Viper. These cars just got my heart racing,†says Hudson. He is now responsible for designing the sleek, sculpted 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata’s redesign has propelled the company to record growth at a time when much of the auto industry is recovering after a series of government bailouts and product recalls. In May, sales for the Sonata soared 93% year-over-year, leading the company to an all-time sales record for the month. Hudson, who has learned from the industry’s best business minds, including GM’s Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn, has also lent his design skills to the new Elantra, which saw sales jump 47% year-over-year.
–Renita Burns
Hassan & Hussein Iddrissu 32
Founders/Presidents
Roadstarr Motorsport Los Angeles
Facilities in Los Angeles and London earned the twins $13 million in 2009. The automotive customization company offers services that include personalized auto sales and leasing, interior enhancements, and custom mobile PCs for top companies and celebrities. With the opening of a new store in their hometown of Accra, Ghana, this fall, revenue projections are at $15 million for 2010.
Curtis “50 Centâ€Jackson 34
Entrepreneur New York
His philosophy–”Get Rich or Die Trying‖serves as motivation for the artist/actor/entrepreneur. Unprecedented moves such as his investment in Glacéau, makers of Vitamin Water, earned the multitiered business mogul a reported $100 million after the company was sold to Coca-Cola in 2007. Jackson has created and actively manages several brand extensions, including G-Unit Footwear Collection by RBK (Reebok), generating $70 million in sales; G-Unit Apparel by Ecko Unlimited, producing $100 million in retail sales; two video games with Vivendi Universal; a fragrance sold exclusively in Macy’s stores; a publishing and production company; and a host of other upcoming ventures. “Your goal in every maneuver in life must be ownership, working the corner for yourself,†50 Cent wrote in The New York Times bestseller The 50th Law.
–LaToya Smith