We are grateful for the research grant provided by the Babson Faculty Research Fund (BFRF), the IPADE Business School Research Fund, Brian Voakes, and the Rumon Organization.
We will forever be indebted to the more than 120 entrepreneurs who shared with us their experiences and insights during our fieldwork. This book will not have been possible without them.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the following individuals who facilitated contacts with the entrepreneurs and provided logistic support during our fieldwork: Prof. Jose Antonio Davila, Filisiah Gogo, Guadalupe Vazquez, Mercy Kinai, Myriam Moreno, Dr. Naomi Mangatu, Okey Akpa, Peter “Banky” Bankole, Peter Russo, Stella Mulandi, and Yolanda Nunez.
The support of our research assistants are truly appreciated: Chinazo Iloeje, Ifeoma Onyemah (nee Dukes), Jorge Pablo Correa González, and Mary Chepkemoi.
The conception of the research work and the analysis that followed benefited a great deal from the comments and advice of Professors Abdul Ali, Candida Brush, Daniel Isenberg, and Leonard Schlesinger. To them, we say a big thank you.
Special thanks also goes to the selling and sales force management collection editors, Professors Buddy LaForge and Thomas Ingram, Robert Nahas and Dana Micheli of Writer Services LLC and Andrea Reeves for their priceless reviews and excellent editorial service.