Jay Van Andel

Entrepreneur

Birthday June 3, 1924

Birth Sign Gemini

Birthplace Grand Rapids, MI

DEATH DATE Dec 7, 2004 (80)

#198,770 Most Popular

About

Co-founder with Rich DeVos of the highly successful and controversial company Amway.

Before Fame

He and his longtime friend and business partner DeVos tried a drive-in restaurant and a charter airline business before launching Amway.

Trivia

His key to success was a dedicated corps of salespeople who pitched the company's wares and recruited others to do the same.

Family Life

He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Associated With

He was a strong believer in free enterprise and a generous supporter of Republican causes. He also liked to sprinkle his motivational speeches with quotes from presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald R. Ford.