To bring things more down to earth, we decided to assess the profit-making ability of small businesses in a variety of more traditional industries.

FORBES: The Most Profitable Small Businesses

For-profit social enterprises have the ability to adapt with the problem.

FORBES: Turning down Gates & Buffett: Philanthropy in China requires For-Profit Social Enterprises

Instead, profit is driven by our ability to manage operations as cost-effectively as possible and by investing in maintaining our infrastructure.

FORBES: Thomas King

But rival Tesco, which has the kind of market clout there that Wal-Mart has across the Atlantic, claims much better profit margins, thanks to its ability to wrangle discounts from suppliers.

FORBES: A Whole New Wal-Mart

Under New York's so-called "Son of Sam" law, which limits the ability of convicted criminals to profit from accounts of their crimes, Gravano could not keep any money he was paid.

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