We extracted randomized records by region. We
visited the Web sites of these companies to make sure
the company was still in operation and to obtain
names of founders and contact information. We
contacted company founders via e-mail and requested
they complete a brief online survey consisting of a
series of questions about their own personal and
family backgrounds, as well as their views on and
motivations toward starting a business. Our team of
researchers sent up to four unsolicited e-mails to these
founders. In some cases, we followed up with phone
calls.
Five hundred