JENO FRANCESCO PAULUCCI is
larger than life. He is one of those rare individuals
who seem to dominate a room just by
walking in the door. Whether involved in
business, politics, or social activism, he is the
master of the moment without even raising his
voice —though Jeno can do that too.
Over many years, Jeno has used his strength
of character and power of persuasion not only
to gain great wealth for his family, but also to
change the lives of the less fortunate, from
handicapped people and ex-convicts who
needed a job to Native Americans living on
their bleak reservations.
Jeno knows what it means to be disadvantaged.
Born in poverty on the Iron Range of
northern Minnesota, he suffered and stood up
to ethnic discrimination. With his steely resolve
and rollicking sense of humor, he became
in turn . . .
—The funniest and most successful street
barker the old town of Duluth had ever
known
—A hard-living traveling salesman so skillful
that he made more money than the president
of the company
—The builder of several empires in the
foods business, with famous brand names like
Chun King Chinese foods, Jeno’s Pizza Rolls,
Michelina’s Frozen Entrees, and others
—A legendary pioneer in unconventional,
humorous advertising that stirred a revolution
on Madison Avenue
—A major influence in local, state, and national
politics, whose voice of good sense has to be heard whether you agree with him or not
—An advisor to almost every president
since Eisenhower
Along the way, he never hesitated to take
business risks that would scare the pants off
less adventurous entrepreneurs . . . or to spit
in the eye of the elite who opposed him . . . or
to reach out his strong arm to lift up the
downtrodden.
Now in his late eighties, Jeno continues to
direct his wide-ranging business, social, and
political enterprises—still working seven days
a week with boundless energy. He shrugs off
the many honors that have come to him over
the years, saying, “To hell with all that. I’m
just a peddler from the Iron Range.”
However, he has finally agreed to do what
his friends have long been urging: tell his
uniquely American story.
But it’s not one story; it’s a collection of stories
that will make you laugh or cry, or both.
You don’t just read this book. You feel it.
Meet Jeno! You’ve never met anyone
like him.
Testimonials
Barbara and I have the highest regard for Jeno Paulucci. Throughout
his years in business, he has exhibited great leadership. When tackling a
difficult problem, he always comes up with the right answer. We Bushes
salute Jeno as well for being a true Point of Light. His willingness to help
others is not only well known, but admired. Jeno, you da man!
—President George H. W. Bush
“Jeno’s immense self-made success as one of the nation’s great entrepreneurs
reminds us how real the American Dream is. And his open-hearted patriotism and
generosity inspire all of us who have had the pleasure of knowing him. Get to know
him: Read his book!”
—Mario Cuomo
Former Governor of New York
“I’ve known Jeno for 45 years. He is the classic American success story. No
one can shake things up and push an agenda like Jeno, and his life is a testament
to working hard and sticking to your ideas. I’m proud to consider him a friend and
compatriot.”
—Walter F. Mondale
Former Vice President of the United States
“Jeno Paulucci has lived a magical life, the sort of towering success that is
the stuff of mythology. Except Jeno’s story is real, fascinating and enticing. Read
and enjoy!”
—Jack Valenti
Former President of the Motion
Picture Association of America
“Jeno is a great Floridian who has led by example. He generously enriches
the lives of those he encounters. I treasure his friendship and admire his leadership, character and enthusiasm.”
—Jeb Bush
Governor of Florida
“Jeno Paulucci was almost the first name I heard when I came to America in
1971, and the last name when I stepped down as chief executive of Heinz in
1988–and for good reason. He is unique, and his inventiveness and will to win
have added an important dimension to the American frozen food industry.”
—Sir Anthony O’Reilly
Former Chairman, President and CEO of H. J. Heinz Company
“Jeno is clearly the king of entrepreneurs.”
—Gary L. Wilson
Chairman of Northwest Airlines
“Jeno is one of the most entrepreneurial, imaginative, and caring people I
have ever met during the course of my career, and he serves as a role model for
corporate and civic responsibility. For decades he has reinvented himself time and
time again through his businesses, perhaps more than any other person in the
United States. I have witnessed firsthand the wonderful difference he has made in
the lives of the people of Ohio. Jeno realizes that one of the greatest things that one
can do for his fellow man is to provide the opportunity to work.”
—George V. Voinovich
United States Senator from Ohio
“Like Judy Garland, Bob Dylan and the iron ore that won two wars, Jeno
Paulucci came out of the cold, hard earth of Northern Minnesota to change the
world. When you look up ‘entrepreneur’ in the dictionary, they should have his
picture. He is the scrappiest, hardest-working, most irrepressible, biggest-hearted
lover of life you will ever meet. Anyone who comes around his life is inspired to ignore
the nay-sayers, grab life by the throat and say, ‘Why shouldn’t I dare to do
something great?’ He is a true-blue American success story, a testament to the
amazing power of a regular guy.”
—Norman Coleman
United States Senator from Minnesota
“Jeno Paulucci, over the years, has demonstrated integrity, creativity and
splendid leadership as one of America’s outstanding business successes. I am very
proud of my relationship with him.”
—Bob Strauss
Former Ambassador to the
Soviet Union, Former Chairman
of the Democratic National
Committee
“Jeno Paulucci has without doubt given strong support to the valor of Italians
in the United States and to a new type of relationship with the country of origin.
Because of his work with the National Italian American Foundation, he
remains the founder of such progress with respect to the initial hard times of our
immigrants.”
—Giulio Andreotti
Former Prime Minister of the
Republic of Italy
“I have known Jeno for well over 30 years and have found him to have one
of the sharpest and most entrepreneurial business minds of anyone I have ever met.
He forges forward where others dare not tread. He follows the avenue which he believes
is correct and proceeds with full force, notwithstanding critics who may challenge
the soundness of his ideas. He is an outstanding leader of the Italian American
community, and having worked with him, I have the greatest respect and admiration
for the leadership and contributions he has made to that community.”
—Arthur J. Gajarsa
Circuit Judge United States Court
of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
“Jeno is an old friend and political cohort, a keen and successful businessman
with an irrepressible spirit . . . one of the most engaging men I’ve known,
who is devoted to family, community and country.”
—Chuck Colson
Chairman of Prison Fellowship
“The best evidence of the American Dream is the life of Jeno Paulucci. He
breathes the divine fire of free enterprise, and his success as an entrepreneur is exceeded
only by his contributions to country and family.”
—Mike Hatch
Minnesota Attorney General
“I have known Jeno for 50 years. No one is his equal for motivating others
to share his vision for building our nation, our state and our communities.”
—Judge Gerald Heaney
United States Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit
“Jeno Paulucci’s life epitomizes the American Dream: immigrant roots, hard
work, success only limited by your reach. My mother said of her neighbors: ‘The
Paulucci family was poor like the rest of us. Jeno just worked harder than everyone
else.’ At the pinnacle of success, Jeno always remembered the communities that nurtured
his progress and the people who extended a helping hand. He invested in those
communities and lifted friends out of distress. Jeno truly is the American ideal.”
—James L. Oberstar
United States Congressman from Minnesota
“Jeno is the epitome of the entrepreneur. Leave Jeno alone with a small pile of money and in time he’ll have a large number of customers plus a big pile of money.”
—Charles (Mike) Harper
Chairman Emeritus of ConAgra Foods
“Jeno is one of those special people in life that once you’ve met you’ll never
forget. Jeno combines enthusiasm, determination, caring, kindness and forcefulness
into an unbelievable human package. Jeno is a tough man to say ‘no’ to—hell, he’s
a tough man to say ‘yes’ to! I truly admire and respect my friend Jeno Paulucci.”
—Steve Sviggum
Speaker of the House of
Representatives, State of Minnesota
“Jeno Paulucci had the rare acumen to foresee the vast potential for prepared
frozen foods in the hectic economy of post–World War II and the courage to confront
giant corporations moving into the market at the same time. That Jeno has
survived—indeed flourished—in building one of the nation’s major frozen food
marketers, attests to the commitment and capabilities that have characterized his
career. Nor has preoccupation with business deterred him from fulfilling what he
considers his obligations to the community, as reflected in the numerous charities
and benefits he has supported and for which he has been honored by both his native
city and state.”
—A. H. Rosenfeld
Former Publisher of Frozen Food Age magazine
“Jeno is truly an amazing American success story. Starting from nothing as
a young boy living on the Iron Range of Minnesota, he gleaned lumps of coal from
nearby railroad tracks for the family to get by. From those humble beginnings he
built a food empire. From bean sprouts and eggs rolls to pizza and frozen dinners,
he has had more good ideas on how to make money than anyone I have ever met
and he still has more energy than most men half his age.”
—Joseph Hall
Former COO of
Food Lion Supermarkets
“Having represented Jeno for over 15 years and won many millions for him—no, not for him but with him—I know that Jeno has a sixth sense about the
future, both in business and in court. He has the uncanny ability to feel the future
and the true grit to see a case through to success.”
—Attorney David Simmons
“Read this book. It will move you. It will inspire you. You will be transported
back in time. You will be motivated by the greatest American ‘peddler’ of all time.
Although only five feet four inches in height, Jeno Paulucci towers above all other‘peddlers’ of the 20th Century. His book does too. I just wish I could have tasted
an ‘Argentine banana’ [see Chapter 2].”
—Attorney George G. Eck
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
“Jeno is a true ‘Iron Ranger.’ He has never forgotten his roots; he has never forgotten his friends. He has a heart as big as a whale, and who else but Jeno could
sell bikinis to the Eskimos. He has to be the finest salesman in the world!”
—Tom Dougherty
Classmate, Hibbing High School Class of 1935
“Jeno, the iron man from the iron range. Although Floridians have not yet discovered
any iron ore under our state, we appreciate the great contributions your entrepreneurship
have and are making to our state. Heathrow has set a standard of
community excellence which has influenced the present and future of town planning in
our fast growing Florida. You have a lot of wisdom to share—thank you for doing so.”
—Bob Graham
United States Senator from Florida
“If you would enjoy reading a book about how a unique man rose from the
hardscrabble Northern Minnesota Iron Range to great success—and not just in
money—this is a book for you. Read about a man who is tough-minded, imaginative
and caring at the same time—a paradoxical genius with a great sense of
humor. His wife Lois still finds him charming. So will you. He’s challenging, creative,
inspiring, honest, and full of common sense. Give this book to your children
to read too. Jeno, glad I metcha!”
—John Phillips
Former CEO of R. J. Reynolds Foods
