The Barefoot Executive

Women rule!

We already know this, but every so often it's nice to see what we can accomplish when we really dig in our high heels and put our minds to work. Women are making their own way in the business world and using their gifts to create profit and interest in their products or services, leading as an example to us all that tire of the day-to-day grind. Let the stories of these women lift you up to new heights and empower you to new success!

Mary Kay Ash, Cosmetics Giant

One prime example of an entrepreneur that made it her own way is Mary Kay Ash. Mary Kay Ash was troubled with the way she was being treated in a male-dominated business world, so she took matters into her own hands and made a list of all of the pros and cons she had experienced during her working career. When this list was complete, Ash realized that she had the ideal plan for her own business and knew how to run it. Ash started her own business in 1963, opening up her first store in Dallas with her life savings of $5000. She started Mary Kay Inc. with just nine independent beauty consultants. Mary Kay Inc. has since expanded to thirty-seven markets internationally and employs over 350,000 consultants. Ash passed away in 2001, but her business lives on and so do her ideals.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah is arguably one of the most famous (and richest) women in the world. She is certainly one of the most admired entrepreneurs of all time and maintains a sense of compassion and integrity through it all that many of us admire. Oprah began her broadcasting career at 17, working at a small radio station. She soon moved on and was anchoring the nightly news in Baltimore in 1976, soon following that up by hosting the local talk show "People Are Talking." By 1984, Winfrey headed to Chicago and began hosting the show "AM Chicago." Soon enough, "AM Chicago" was beating the popular "Donahue" in the ratings and had surpassed it as number one talk show. Sure enough, "AM Chicago" was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show." A year later, the show entered into national syndication and became the highest-rated talk show in television history.

Other Great Women

Along with Oprah and Mary Kay Ash, there are countless examples of other women that have provided examples of how women can exemplify the drive and determination of the entrepreneurial spirit. Debra Fields, for example, has launched one of the world's largest dessert empires with her $450-million company Mrs. Fields Cookies. She began as a young housewife with no business experience and went on to found one of the most prominent companies in the world.

The late Anita Roddick is another great example. As founder of "The Body Shop", Roddick was one of the most outspoken social activists in the industry and knew that there is no need to sacrifice principles for success. Roddick created cosmetics out of natural ingredients and was more than $200 million.

Who do YOU know that has blazed a trail?? Send success stories (and learning experience stories to carrie@barefoot-executive.com

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