KQED's Perspectives

In 2007, architect Miguel McKelvey convinced his friend Adam Neumann to share an office space in Brooklyn. That was the beginning of WeWork: a shared workspace for startups and freelancers looking for an inspiring environment to do their work. Today, WeWork has created a "community of creators" valued at nearly $16 billion.

Lisa Price worked in television but had a passion for beauty products. At her mother's suggestion, she began selling her homemade moisturizer at a church flea market. Twenty years later, Carol's Daughter is one of the leading beauty brands catering to African-American women. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how professional trumpet player Dan Gosling created a special lip balm for musicians called ChopSaver.

Jerry Murrell's mother used to tell him, you can always make money if you know how to make a good burger. In 1986 — after failing at a number of business ideas — Murrell opened a tiny burger joint in Northern Virginia with his four sons. Five Guys now has more than 1,400 locations worldwide and is one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in America. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how Aiden Emilio and her husband created RexSpecs — UV-protecting goggles for dogs.

Marissa Moss says more open discussion of end-of-life care can lead to the kind of ‘good’ death her own husband was denied.

Blake Mycoskie started and sold four businesses before age 30. But only in Argentina did he discover the idea he'd want to pursue long term. After seeing a shoe drive for children, he came up with TOMS — part shoe business, part philanthropy. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how a long-haired Southern Californian, Chris Healy, co-founded The Longhairs and created special hair ties for guys.

Holly Hubbard Preston discovers the life behind the name on her town's veterans' memorial.

Ever since he was a child, Steve Vassallo has thrived on doing the impossible through the process of design.

Mediator Richard Friedlander says the words he hears the least are the words most likely to encourage conflict resolution.

14-year old Anna Bonkowski’s like has become dominated by pills, needles, tests and pain, but she’s embracing life.

He's a father and a successful professional, but Evan Sagerman still thinks like a kid and that's a wonderful thing.

In 1981, engineer Rod Canion left Texas Instruments and co-founded Compaq, which created the first IBM-compatible personal computer. This opened the door to an entire industry of PCs that could run the same software. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how frustrated renter Melanie Colón created an easier way to communicate with noisy neighbors, called Apt App.

Jennifer Lynn-Whaley says that for too long criminologists have had too hard a time getting out of the way of their theories to understand the people they're supposed to help.

A harsh and unforgiving environment helps Marilyn Englander teach her young students important skills.

Ryan was mocked by his schoolmates, but Jack befriended him. And then, one day, Ryan was gone.

For Carol Arnold, the notion of restoring Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy valley is personal.