Forbes 400: Cook to cola salesman, how America's richest people started out

America’s richest have been treading water for the past 12 months. The average fortune of the list members is up just 2.2 percent to $7.4 billion, and the $2.1 billion entry point is unchanged. Still, most have come a long way. This year, we are highlighting their professional beginnings, from stocking shelves to starting a ski tuning business in a basement and everything in between.

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