Twice beating cancer inspired tech CEO Bruce Fikowski to take a calculated leap of faith and launch Get Assist, Inc. GetAssist is the 100 percent private social network that connects individuals with one another and with local businesses to share information, advice, ideas and the sort of help that improves everyday life.

“We’re all a little tired of connecting for the sole purpose of connecting,” Bruce says. “These days online users want connections that lead to results. They could include private message boards among parents for youth hockey teams, professionals collaborating on projects or simply finding contractors to fix stuff around the house.”

He embodies all of the great qualities of true leaders, including empowering employees to solve problems, supporting failure, prioritizing family first, leading by example, paying staffers to volunteer in the community and providing financial assistance to associates when needed (even as far as buying a salesperson a car when her own broke down.)