Growing up, Barbara Corcoran had straight D’s in high school and college, on top of 20 jobs by the time she was 23. Soon, however, she quit her job as a waitress, borrowed $1,000 from her boyfriend, and started a small real estate company in New York City. Over the next 25 years, the $1,000 would balloon into a five-billion-dollar real estate business and the biggest brand in the industry. Corcoran is also a much sought-after speaker, bringing her experiences and energy to the audience. her “tell-it-like-it-is” attitude is credited for her success. She authored If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, put Ribbons on Your Pigtails, which later became a national best-seller. She also credits her mom’s kitchen-table wisdom for her success in the business. She is also a contributor for the Today Show and CNBC, on top of a weekly real estate column for the Daily News.