A career doesn't move linearly, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman famously advised — it can ratchet up suddenly with one critical insight, meeting, or opportunity.

You call it a big break.

Every success story has one.

Even luminaries like Sheryl Sandberg, Steve Jobs, and Howard Schultz had a moment where the path of their future clicked into focus.

Here are the big breaks that helped these execs build 10-digit fortunes.