Mat and JoAnn McCleary of Whidbey Island, Wash., both worked full-time jobs when they started Frog Construction, a landscape maintenance and construction company, and several other business ventures. Their businesses allow them to do what they like best: work outside, be independent and meet new people.

In just 15 years, the Law family of Cortland, N.Y., has built a family of dealerships that includes CNY Farm Supply, CNY Power Sports, CNY Rental and CNY Storage. The dealerships, with their complementary equipment and services, beat the competition by meeting the needs of area farmers, rural lifestylers, homeowners, landscapers and others.