There is hope for everyone!

Welcome back!

America’s first “self-made” female millionaire—Madam C.J. Walker, she said, “I got my start by giving myself a start.” Madam Walker was not born into riches; in fact Walker was born in 1867 into slavery.  Life wasn’t peachy for her; she was an orphan by the time she was 7.

Madam Walker was married at the age of 14 to her 1^st husband and when her little girl was 2 years old. Her husband die and Walker became a 20 years old widow. Walker raised her daughter Lelia by herself for 7 years before she would marry her 2^nd husband. Her 2^nd marriage lasted 9 years.

At the time Madam Walker was losing her hair and in her experiment with homemade remedies came her fortune. She created her product line and in 1905 Walker was selling her products door to door and giving scalp treatments. And it is during her time in selling door to door that she met her 3^rd husband Mr. Walker. However, that marriage did not last more then 6 years. Mr. Walker was the last man Madam Walker marries.

14 years into the business Madam Walker had expanded her company internationally to Jamaica, Cuba, Costa Rica, Panama and Haiti. Walker employed 3000 people in her factory and has over 20,000 agents in her enterprise.

Madam Walker was one of only 15 women inducted into the National Business Hall of Fame at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry; she recently was listed among Business Week’s top thirty American entrepreneurs of all time.

“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. I have built my own factory on my own ground” - Madam Walker

So, if a woman whom was born into slavery, an orphan at 7, a widow and a single mom at 20, 2 failed marriages… got her started at selling door to door hair product in 1900’s can made it to be a millionaire. Wouldn’t you agree that there is hope for everyone?

To learn more about Madam Walker go to www.madamjcwalker.com or Walker Theatre Center http://www.walkertheatre.com 

Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

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13 Comments

Bruno LoGreco says: 21 January 2009 - 1:44 am

Absolutely! I believe everybody has an opportunity to shine - the trick is to do something you’re passionate about. Madam Walker’s hair was shedding when she decided to create a successful home remedy. Madam Walker was passionate about creating a solution that would help her hair, and when she did she took it to the streets because she believed her could work for others.

Great story!!

Thanks Giovanna

Jay says: 21 January 2009 - 7:25 am

I could not agree more. It is not about intelligence, money, or even opportunities. It is about taking action, preferably in an endeavor that you have a passion for. Of course you will make mistakes along the way, but that is OK cause like a friend of mine says often Imperfect action and better than No action right? Thanks for the great story Giovanna!

Henie says: 21 January 2009 - 8:37 am

“Kiss your passion and give it a hug…and the rest will be history” ~Henie~

This post is definitely empowering! Thanks, G :0)

Giovanna Garcia says: 21 January 2009 - 9:21 am

Morning Bruno

Her passsion for spreading the word about her hair solution is so strong that give her the empowerment to take it to the street!
I am glad you like the story

Thanks for the comment and your wisdom.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

Giovanna Garcia says: 21 January 2009 - 9:25 am

Hi Jay

You got it spot on! It is not about how good or how smart anyone is!? It is all about taking actions. “Imperfect Action is better than No Action!” AMEN!!!

Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

Giovanna Garcia says: 21 January 2009 - 9:27 am

Hi Henie

Thanks for the quote “Kiss your passion and give it a hug…and the rest will be history” ~Henie~

I love it!!
Thank You,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

Hilary says: 21 January 2009 - 10:50 am

Hi Gio .. gosh what a strong lady she must have been .. just get down & get on with it - wonderful story .. thank you ..

Believe Achieve - Hugo and Roxanne says: 21 January 2009 - 11:42 am

Awesome and Empowering story!!

Madam Walker is a prime inspirational example of how taking action and never giving up can lead you to success! Her story gives all who hear it hope and empowerment. Thank you, Giovanna.

Many Blessings….
Hugo and Roxanne
~ Believe Achieve ~

Giovanna Garcia says: 21 January 2009 - 3:13 pm

Hi Hilary

Madam Walker is a strong lady! I would guess she would have been the kind of person that doesn’t take NO for an answer.

Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

Giovanna Garcia says: 21 January 2009 - 3:17 pm

Hi Hugo & Roxanne

Madam Walker is a inspiration like no others. The things that she done and at the time that she did them at!? She was amazing, she ROCKS!

Thanks for your input and your thoughts

Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than NO Action

Anastasia says: 23 January 2009 - 7:52 pm

Terrific post, Giovanna, thanks! It is stories like this that remind us that especially in countries like the US, Canada etc where we have so many advantages, there is NO reason for us not to succeed because of outside factors. The biggest thing that holds us back is ourselves! Great content, keep it coming!

The money is in the doing! | Imperfect Action says: 26 January 2009 - 9:37 pm

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