Ernie Ball is an unlikely executive. He regards profit-and-loss statements as necessary distractions, and he never does market surveys to determine whether products on the drawing board would succeed. He has earned his reputation by following his instincts. "If it feels right, I know it will sell." Over the years, that philosophy helped Ernie turn his company into a worldwide success. The company's products can be found in more than 5,000 music stores throughout the USA, and are exported to 68 countries.