Top 5 Entrepreneurs of 2025

The world of entrepreneurship is filled with people who have created unique paths for themselves by overcoming various challenges and building impactful businesses. From health and wellness to sustainable construction and faceless marketing, these innovators have utilized their skills and experiences to build successful enterprises. Their journeys show the importance of adaptability, creativity, and determination in any industry.

Some have leaned into personal struggles, turning them into sources of inspiration for others. For example, a wellness entrepreneur has used her battle with chronic health issues to develop a global platform supporting sustainable, inclusive health practices. Others have embraced emerging technologies to address long-standing industry gaps, such as a real estate expert who established a fund dedicated to integrating automation and sustainability into construction. Meanwhile, a fitness professional redefined her career path by creating a fitness method that balances physical transformation and mental well-being.

Even unconventional approaches, like faceless marketing, demonstrate the vast potential that entrepreneurs hold. This strategy has allowed a mother of two to build a thriving digital business while maintaining her privacy and balancing family life. Each of these individuals gives their perspective on what it means to build a successful business.

1. David Friedlaender

David Friedlaender is a licensed builder and real estate agent with 25 years of experience in private equity and real estate development. He has completed commercial and residential projects across Michigan, California, Louisiana, and Florida. Friedlaender is excited about pioneering waste-to-energy solutions and exploring innovative renewable energy sources that remain largely undiscovered by the mainstream.

In 2022, Friedlaender founded Automated Construction Technologies (ACT), a private fund specializing in sustainable construction and renewable energy systems.

The ACT Impact Fund 1, limited to accredited investors, supports projects in cutting-edge construction technologies like 3D printing for residential and commercial buildings, 3D printed living sea walls, as well as innovative energy transition investments like EV charging infrastructure,  and biogas waste-to-energy systems.

ACT’s portfolio now includes high-potential companies in 3D printing, modular construction, and renewable energy — more than one is preparing for public offerings. Friedlaender’s leadership has helped ACT’s rapid growth, as the company is now in a Series A funding round targeting $30 million with a projected IPO within the next two to three years. The rapid growth of the ACT fund shows how automation and sustainability are finally impacting building and clean energy systems. As Friedlaender points out, “Construction and energy are some of the last major industries to benefit from the technological innovations of the past 40 years…The ACT Impact Fund is a vehicle for accredited investors to capture gains from these emerging technologies.”

2. Sam Cutler

Sam Cutler has taken a unique approach to the health and wellness industry, blending her background in luxury marketing and over a decade of experience as a social media creator with her personal story, healing chronic health conditions. With over 450,000 followers and nine million weekly impressions, she uses her platform, MINDFULL, to empower women worldwide through relatable content and sustainable wellness practices focused on nutrition, mindfulness, and self-care.

As the founder of MINDFULL, a meal-planning and health coaching app, Cutler supports thousands of women worldwide in achieving food freedom. Moving away from restrictive tracking, she prioritizes whole, nutrient-rich foods while offering an inclusive, judgment-free approach to wellness.

MINDFULL has members in more than 30 countries, so Cutler’s impact spans the globe. The platform provides gluten—and dairy-free meal plans, recipes, and coaching videos, along with an online community designed to educate and empower women on the power of whole foods rather than the number on the scale.

Inspired by her struggles with chronic inflammation and severe adult acne, Cutler applied her Harvard-trained nutrition expertise to transform her health, gaining firsthand insight into the power of dietary and lifestyle changes. Since launching MINDFULL just over a year ago, she has generated over $350,000 in revenue while addressing gaps in nutrition education.

Through MINDFULL and her social platforms, Cutler continues to advocate for accessible, proactive health solutions, proving that wellness can be both impactful and profitable.

3. Joseph Kupstas

Joseph Kupstas is a visionary serial entrepreneur with a career spanning over 32 years and seven successful ventures across diverse industries. With a deep-rooted passion for construction and home improvement, he has built an unmatched reputation for excellence through his two thriving businesses—RemodelWerks and Emily’s Interiors.

“Both companies work hand-in-hand,” Kupstas explains. “We provide a seamless experience by designing projects through one company and building them through the other.” Emily’s also provides architectural 3D plans and materials sales to interior designers and other builders

Kupstas founded RemodelWerks in 2012, quickly establishing it as a leader in the remodeling industry. The company has earned prestigious accolades from the National Association of Replica Luxury Handbag Builders (NAHB), Remodeling Magazine Big 50, and Houzz. In 2016, he launched Emily’s Interiors—named after his daughter—which specializes in custom cabinetry and design services.

While headquartered in Massachusetts, Emily’s Interiors serves clients nationwide, shipping tailor-made cabinetry and materials across the U.S.

Beyond his business achievements, Kupstas is dedicated to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through his consulting firm, Inner Circle Enterprises, he mentors business owners in refining their processes, sales strategies, marketing approaches, and growth management for long-term success.

Starting his journey at just 15 years old as a carpenter for a local builder, Kupstas embodies the values of perseverance and hard work. Today, as a leader in his field, he remains committed to helping others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams, proving that success is built on dedication, vision, and a willingness to give back.

4. Carrie Minter

Carrie Minter Ebers, founder of Carrie’s Pilates Plus, has built a thriving fitness empire. Since establishing her flagship studio in Los Angeles in 2013, she has developed a unique fitness method that combines high-intensity interval training, strength training, cardio, and Pilates. The 45-minute sessions focus on muscle exhaustion, cardio engagement, and low-impact movements designed to sculpt a strong, lean physique. Her business focuses on physical transformation while simultaneously prioritizing the mental well-being of her clients.

Carrie’s journey to entrepreneurship began during her modeling career, where Pilates became an essential tool for personal fitness and mental resilience. Transitioning from the pages of magazines to the fitness studio, she took over a struggling business in 2013 and redefined it into a space for empowerment and community. The pandemic posed challenges, prompting adaptations such as outdoor classes and the development of the Carrie’s Transformer 2.0, an advanced piece of fitness equipment that broadens exercise possibilities.

Her business expanded significantly in 2024 with the addition of four new franchises in Orange County, Toronto, and Dallas, alongside the original LA studio. Beyond fitness, her studios prioritize customer experience with personalized touches and inclusive practices that make every client feel supported.

Balancing multi-state operations, Carrie maintains a work-life balance. She often combines business trips with personal time so that she can explore cities she visits. “I take time for myself and take rest days when needed,” says Carrie. “It will make me a better entrepreneur and better leader.”

5. ShyGirlMoney

Known to her audience as @ShyGirlMoney, a 35-year-old mom of two has built an inspiring path to financial independence through faceless marketing. Without a college degree or formal training, she has built a thriving business that allows her to balance family life with an impressive income—all without showing her face or creating traditional content.

Her journey began in December 2023 when she discovered faceless marketing. She was determined to stay home with her kids while earning her own income, so she scaled her business to generate over $560,000 in less than a year. Today, her faceless social media account has amassed more than 53,000 followers.

Through digital marketing products and a self-designed mini-course, ShyGirlMoney empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to connect with their audience and convert followers into customers. She helps those who prefer working behind the scenes through a simple, scalable strategy.

“I wanted to prove that you don’t need to show your face or have a college degree to make a great income,” she says. “I’m living proof that it’s possible to achieve financial freedom while staying true to your values.”

By leveraging her personal experience, she demonstrates that success does not require a nine-to-five job or a massive social media presence. As for advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, she says: “Don’t let a lack of experience or confidence stop you. Start small, stay consistent, and keep learning. The opportunities are out there—you just have to take the first step.”