She Wanted to Teach Kids History. Her Idea Became a $700 Million Business

Pleasant Rowland started American Girl with an educational mission, not a toy-industry playbook. Decades later, the company remains one of the most successful toy brands ever created.

BY CHRIS STOKEL-WALKER

In the nearly five decades that the Inc. 5000 has recognized private American companies for revenue growth, more than a few honorees—Clif Bar, Patagonia, Fitbit, and Linkedin to name a few—have gone on to become household names. One of the earliest examples of this trajectory, Pleasant Company, is responsible for creating the iconic American Girl dolls.

Former teacher Pleasant Rowland launched the educational doll brand Pleasant Company in 1985 with........

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