3/11 Anne Beiler

With only an eighth grade Amish education, Anne founded Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, the world’s largest mall-based franchise. In just over 20 years the company has grown a single outlet to more than 1,000 locations in 21 countries.

In 1975, Anne’s life was sent into a tailspin with the tragic death of her daughter, Angela Joy. As a result Anne found herself in her mid-twenties and on the brink of suicide. Through Anne’s faith, purpose and determination, she has become one the nation’s leading entrepreneurs.

In 2008, she published her life’s story, Twist of Faith, which chronicles her tragedies and successes. Anne and her husband Jonas currently live in Pennsylvania.