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Wakefield, Mass., native Brien Spina was only 10 when he first felt the satisfaction that comes from making a return on an investment.

His source: He sold the remaining half of a large pizza he had bought with allowance money to friends, earning enough back to breakeven. His parents were impressed. “It's going well,” the savvy Spina replied proudly when they checked on his allowance. “I made my money back.”

Spina has been a self-made man ever since.