Another top entrepreneur: JK Rowling

Can an author count as an entrepreneur? US business magazine Forbes has revealed that the creator of the Harry Potter sensation was making more than £5 every second over the past year. Part of this is a result of the sales of her books. But it’s clear that she has been hugely successful – or lucky – in the way that she has been able to turn the stories into such a successful product.

The £170m she made last year (2007) puts JK Rowling way ahead of the other authors (earning six times as much as the second richest writer).

We all seem to like this story, partly as “It was wizardry that transformed JK Rowling from a destitute single mother on welfare into a best-selling billionaire”, according to a Forbes spokesman.

Beyond the success of the books is the obvious success in creating a fantastic, closely guarded brand. This finds its way into Lego, toys, video games and most obviously a lucrative film franchise. The films have taken over £2.5billion at the box office, with three more to come.