Julie Rose

The North Carolina city is perhaps best known as the home of Bank of America. But Mayor Anthony Foxx, banks aren't the city's only job engines. Other big sectors include energy, health care and transportation. Energy workers now compete with bankers for a sunny spot to lunch downtown.

It's the holiday season, so it's no surprise that employees at Lickety Split Chocolate are hard at work. But this is no ordinary candy company. The CEO is 15 years old, and the other employees are even younger. But like any good entrepreneurs, these kids -- all from the Navajo tribe -- know a good business idea when they see it.