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What does it take to run a business?
Looking at your business today, what will you be able to leave as a
legacy? What will you say when someone asks you what it took for you to
be where you are today? "Tenacity and Perseverance, Faith in Herself and
in God, Quality Products and Honest Business Dealings". This is what a
self-made, successful Black woman was able to say in the late 1800's, as
she looked back on what had made her successful.
"Tenacity and Perseverance"... These are two words that are much easier
said then done. They represent the ability to stick with it, and get
through the tough times; having the knowledge and skill to believe in your
business and the fight to make your vision a reality. These are the things
it takes to be a successful business owner. "Faith"...The ability to
believe that once you have done your best for your business and your
vision, that success is in the hands of God. "Quality products and honest
business dealings"... These are the backbone of a good business. To
sustain your business and make it profitable, your business needs to
provide value. The value is in the products you sell or the services you
offer. The value you provide will then create for you, credibility. The
abundance of credibility will ensure repeat business. These qualities are
what launched a very strong lady to her success!
In recognition of Black History Month, I offer you a
story about a strong, tenacious woman. This is a woman who worked
hard at finding a better way, not only for herself, but also for her
community - a woman who took a problem (a scalp aliment) and made it her
solution (a successful business).
Please enjoy the following article about Madam C.J. Walker, submitted
by my mother, Asale Kimadda, who has dedicated her life to black history
education. Be on the look out for next month's article where we will
discuss Home Businesses and Boundaries.
For
Information on Mentoring Services (click here)
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The First Black Woman Millionare |
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 Madam C. J. Walker was
a woman who worked in the cotton fields of the south, she worked her
way from there to a position as wash woman, and from there was
promoted to the position of cook. Madam C. J. Walker was determined
to change her life. At the age seven she was orphaned. She often
said "I got my start by giving myself a start. She raised her self
from a St. Louis washerwoman to international businesswoman." Madam
C.J. Walker moved to St. Louis with her four brothers who had
established themselves as barbers. She educated her daughter while
working for as little as $1.50 per day. Members of the St. Paul
A.M.E. Church and the National Association of Colored Women helped
her to see a new way of viewing the world. From the position of
cook, she promoted her self into the business of manufacturing hair
goods and preparations. "She built her own factory on her own
ground". Madam C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove on December 23,
1867 on a Delta Louisiana Plantation. She had one older sister,
Louvenia. She was the daughter of former slaves. She transformed her
self from "an uneducated farm laborer and laundress into one of the
twentieth century's most successful Self - made women
entrepreneurs."
After suffering from a scalp ailment that caused her to lose her
hair she turned to many home made remedies and store bought
products. She turned to products made by ANNIE MALONE, another black
woman entrepreneur during the 1890's. In 1905 Sarah moved to Denver
and worked for Annie Malone as her sales agent. She married, Charles
Joseph Walker, her third husband, a successful St. Louis
newspaperman, and changed her name to "Madam" C.J. Walker. She
founded "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower", a scalp conditioning
and healing formula. In 1910, Madam Walker had then the nation's
largest inland manufacturing center, where she built training
schools. She contributed $1,000 to the building fund of the "Colored
YMCA in Indianapolis. This made the front page of the news papers.
In 1913, Madam Walker traveled to Central America and the
Caribbean to expand her business. Lelia (later known as A'Lelia born
January 6, 1885), her only daughter, moved into a fabulous Harlem
townhouse and Walker Salon, designed by a black architect, Vertner
Tandy. Walker moved to New York in 1916, leaving the day-to-day
operations of "Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company to her
attorney F.B Ransom and Alice Kelley, her factory forelady and a
former school teacher. Madam C.J. Walker organized one of the first
national meetings of business women in the country - "Madam C.J.
Walker Hair Culturist Union of American Conventions" in Philadelphia
1917. She rewarded her agents at this convention for their business
success and encouraged their political activism.
Madam C.J. Walker joined a group of Harlem leaders who visited
the White House to present a petition favoring a federal
anti-lynching legislation when in 1917, a white mob murdered more
than thirty six blacks in East St. Louis, Illinois. On January 28,
1998, the United States Postal Service issued the Madam C.J. Walker
Commemorative Stamp, the 21st in the Black Heritage Series at the
Madame Walker Theatre Center in Indianapolis. A national Historic
Landmark built in 1927, the Madame Walker Theater Center was built
in tribute to its name sake. The Center includes a 350 - person
Casino Ballroom and a 944 seat African motif theatre. When asked
what were the elements and strategies of her success she replied
"Tenacity and Perseverance, Faith in Herself and in God, Quality
Products and Honest Business Dealings. There is no royal
flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it
for if I have accomplished any thing in life it is because I have
been willing to work hard."
For
more information on Madam CJ Walker (click here) »
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" Book of the Month" |
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"ON HER OWN GROUND:The life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker a
biography written by A'Lelia Bundles Madam Walker's great-great
grand - daughter is based on extensive research. Mrs. Bundles is a
former deputy bureau chief for ABC News - Washington D.C., and was
an award-winning producer with ABC News and NBC News for more than
twenty years.
TO
PURCHASE THIS BOOK (Click Here) »
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Grandmothers Who Help |
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I would like to take a moment to thank my mother Asale Kimaada
for being such a great inspiration and mentor. As a Solopenuer, she
has shown me in many ways what definition of Success really means..
As the Founder of "Grandmothers Who Help" A Non- Profit
orginization. My mother is instrumental in educating thousands of
children throughout Northren California Black History from the late
1500's through the most current events.
To
know more about her organization click here »
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FREE FEBRUARY CALL: - Stephen Fairley |
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 Join the "New Coach Connection to
hear Stephen Fairley, president of Today's Leadership Coaching The
Author of Getting Started in Personal and Executive Coaching.
Stephen's interview on The Business of Coaching appeared in Today's
Coach.
Date:February 18th 2004 at 6pm EST/NY Bridge line:1-865-362-4050
pin # 2460#
This special call is brought to you by The
NewCoachConnection group on Yahoo.com. This group serves
as a support structure to new coaches who are looking to collaborate
together to help bring ideas, resources, and solutions to each other
as they venture into the field of coaching.
It's also for senior coaches who want to 'pay it forward'
to the newer coaching community, offering a supportive hand, idea,
resource or suggestion. All are welcome!!!
More
information on the New Coach Connection »
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