I am grateful to the many people who have helped turn Built, Not Born into a reality. I’m especially thankful for all the entrepreneurs out there who launch new businesses every day. They are the bedrock of the American economy and the inspiration for this book.
I am immensely thankful to all the people I have worked with over the years at Paychex. Most of the lessons I share in this book were learned during my time building the company and working alongside so many talented individuals.
I’d like to thank my coauthor, Mike Wicks of Kevin Anderson and Associates, for his tireless efforts. His commitment and passion for the project were inspiring. His contribution to the content and his ability to find my voice helped make the book both readable and accessible.
To Steve Pigeon, my friend and advisor, who worked with us every day during the writing process and whose contribution was invaluable: I’d like to thank you for always being there for me.
Thank you, Kevin Anderson, for bringing Mike Wicks to me and for introducing me to Celeste Fine, my literary agent. Your guidance throughout the publishing process helped me navigate my way through the world of editors, agents, and publishers.
My heartfelt thanks go to Marty Mucci, Blake Gable, and Larry Quinn for reading each draft to ensure accuracy, and for making so many useful suggestions and notations. Your support helped make this a book of which I am truly proud.
To Naomi Whittel, without whom I may never have found Kevin Anderson and Associates and Mike in the first place: your marketing insights and wisdom, your ongoing support and commitment to this book, and, of course, your friendship mean a lot to me.
My special thanks to Matt Ray for his specific help in writing the section on understanding the various legal business structures companies can adopt.
My thanks to my very talented literary agent, Celeste Fine, and to my publisher, HarperCollins Leadership.