An Indian-American who lived as a Buddhist monk for 12 years, Manoj Bhargava founded Living Essentials, which has become the biggest player in the energy-shot market. The rise of his 5-Hour Energy began in 2003 at a natural products trade show in Anaheim, Calif. At one booth the sales reps peddled a 16-ounce concoction claiming to boost productivity for hours. Bhargava took a swig. "For the next six or seven hours I was in great shape," he said. "I thought, Wow, this is amazing. I can sell this."
