Source: Forbes - http://www.forbes.com

H. Ty Warner| $5 billion| Beanie babies. Chicago. | 55. Single| "Our name brand will not go away. We want to be the Coke of collectibles." That's what the Beanie Babies baron told FORBES a few days after his Internet site implied that the company would "retire" its line of cuddly creatures. Likely marketing ploy created just the kind of frenzied buying Ty's become known for provoking. Kalamazoo College dropout, took job selling stuffed toys. Quit to bum around Italy. Came home, designed line of stuffed Himalayan cats and other toy animals before creating Beanie Babies: understuffed toy animals affordably priced for the allowance set. Kids loved the cute names (Snort the bull, Fleece the lamb); limited distribution spawned a cult of adult collectors. Beanies hit market at $5 to $7, can reach $12,000 in collectors' circles. Fierce protector of the Beanie trademark, favors boutiques over mass merchants. Low profile: no signage at Ty's Chicago headquarters; prefers cabs to limos. Beanie babies might be a fad, but his Four Seasons Hotel in New York should last.