The Greatest Female Entrepreneur of All-Time?

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Permalink Reply by Stick Me Designs:Rickina on June 24, 2008 at 1:12pm

This seems like a no brainer to me. I didn't hear of Martha Stewart helping others during Katrina, and I haven't heard of Martha Stewart starting her own school to benefit the lives of under priviledged girls...and is Martha even a billionaire yet??? I don't know but I say O all the way *

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Permalink Reply by Samantha Davis on June 24, 2008 at 1:39pm

I think Martha and Oprah are two great choices.

Oprah definitely has an edge in total net worth, and I believe Martha was tested when the government tried to make an example of her when they sent her to prison.

I am going to go a old school and take an excerpt from Success Magazine's 50 Greatest Entrepreneurs of All-Time. (the full article is here: http://www.successmagazine.com/50-Greatest-Entrepreneurs-of-All-Tim...)

Madam C.J. Walker 1867-1919
Madam C. J. Walker’s accomplishments as an inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist are nothing short of amazing, considering the time in which she lived and the short stack she was dealt. Born two years after the abolishment of slavery, Walker was orphaned, married, pregnant and widowed by 20. But her strong resolve kept her going—the entrepreneurial lesson of her success. With her hair-care products, Madam C. J. Walker blazed a new trail for black women. She not only offered products designed especially for black women at a time when most beauty products ignored their hair type, she also opened the door for other women to earn money selling her Walker Hair Care System.

With her million-dollar fortune—a rarity for a self-made woman, let alone a black woman—she contributed generously to schools and programs such as the YMCA and the NAACP. She’s been posthumously inducted in the National Business Hall of Fame and the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Quote: "If you recognize an unserved customer base, do something about it."

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia McKelvy on July 8, 2008 at 6:25pm

I agree that Madame C J Walker...
is one of the greatest business women of all time.

Considering the times she lived and worked in she deserves
an extra 1,000 points as a trail blazer. My hats off to any
one who overcomes life's tribulations and triumphs in spite
of it all.

Cynthia McKelvy

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Permalink Reply by SUp.biz, CEO on June 24, 2008 at 10:46pm

I think Estee Lauder was a trailblazer. She founded her company in 1946 at a time when female entrepreneurs were much less accepted than they are now. Though I don’t have any information about her philanthropic efforts, I think that she helped paved the way for the some of the great female entrepreneurs of our time, who have definitely gone on to help others in a big way (like Oprah).

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Permalink Reply by Elaine Basham on July 8, 2008 at 9:21pm

I think I'd have to go with Paula Deen - pulled herself out of poverty by making box lunches, raised her sons and created a brand for herself that has gone beyond her wildest dreams - she totally rocks!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on July 9, 2008 at 12:58am

I think Oprah has an amazing career and has helped SO many people. If everyone who has those abilities to help others would do what she does, our entire world would be better off. Many should take notes from her.
Martha has never been a favorite of mine but I do respect the company she has built.
I don't know who famous I would pick, but I commend any woman who is trying to create something and helping others to do this same.

Lisa

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Permalink Reply by Hilary Johnson on July 13, 2008 at 8:15pm

I guess it depends on the criteria for "greatest."

I appreciated reading the post about Madam C.J. Walker ... what a beautiful woman, both inside and out!

I've watched Oprah pat herself on her back a few too many times to consider her "great." Charity motivated by pure heart is performed away from spotlights and media.

Mary Kay built her wealth at a time when the glass ceiling was still on the third floor, and left a model in place for other women to build theirs.

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Permalink Reply by Teresa on July 17, 2008 at 1:45am

So I read the title of this post, and I thought to myself, "I know! I'll say Oprah!"

And then I came in here, and realized it was the most unoriginal idea ever.

What about Ruth Handler? She created Barbie.

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Permalink Reply by SUp.biz, CEO on October 25, 2008 at 1:40pm

That's a good one. I've long been on the fence about the Barbie concept. I wonder if it has been good or bad for women's self images. But as for a money maker, Ruth rocks!

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Permalink Reply by Krystara-El Kumara (aka Phyllis L. Swenson) on August 7, 2008 at 6:48pm

All of these replies are very good and inspiring. I truly feel that all women have the potential to be great entrepreneur's whether we do something large or small. I feel that what makes a woman great is the love in her heart and the determination to excel and find the power and wisdom within herself to overcome all odds. It's what we do with our lives and how we take care of ourselves and care for others that really matters whether we achieve fame and great wealth or work silently in our own communities and homes with family and friends.

Blessings,
Krystara

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Permalink Reply by Pam Barry on August 11, 2008 at 7:28am

Anita Roddick would be one of mine for sure.

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Permalink Reply by Sonia on August 13, 2008 at 12:46pm

Maybe because I am "Southern Raised Gal" Paula Deen and Oprah are my picks.

They came from "nothing" got through the obstacles of life.

I would love to sit down to lunch with those two "Awesome Ladies. (Southern Food)

"what makes a great female"

**The ability to love herself and still have enough love for others**
**Loving to serve others**
**Never expecting anything in return** (but there is always return in one way or another)

My wonderful Grandma told me one time. "If you are a giver, you will never need for anything"

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