Jimmy John Liautaud founded Jimmy John's in 1983 after receiving the choice from his father to join the military or start a business after graduating second to last in his class at Elgin Academy in 1982.

I recently read a somewhat provocative online post that stated: “If you’re not a complete idiot, then you’re smart enough to be wildly successful. Being a genius isn’t a requirement for you being successful. With enough passion and personal motivation, average intellect trumps genius…at least when it comes to business.” What’s that saying? The “A” student works for the “B” student while the “C” student owns the company.

After discovering that hot dogs weren’t in Jimmy John’s future because it was more expensive opening a hot dog stand than his father’s offer of financing, Jimmy John discovered (stumbled upon) sandwiches. And because his original location was not in the most desirable part of town, ultimately freaky fast deliveries (and free samples) help set him apart. If customers weren’t going to him, he would go to the customer.