A story that is interesting for beginning entrepreneurs, wanting to start their own business for the gain of financial security is the story of Madam C.J. Walker. Madam C.J. Walker was well known woman who sold hair care products centered around growing natural hair in the African American Community. Before she started her first business, she was only making a $1.50 as a laundress working 14 hours a day in the late 1800’s. Not a stable pay wage to happily survive on. Now, reflecting on the 21st century, the average minimum wage currently in the state of Florida according to minimum-wage.org is $8.65. Not really a lot of money to be financially stable. Imagine how Madam C.J. Walker felt at the age of 20, widowed, and having a child to take care of.
Most entrepreneurs do well in a service and/or project they are familiar with; Madam C.J. Walker happened to pick the beauty supply field centered around women and mens hair. Working to financially support both her and her daughter, she grew to be very weary and stressed out. The amount of stress she endured caused her hair to fall out and be damaged due to improper products that could strengthen her coarse her, and many other African American women around her. After many attempts in concocting the right ingredients that later made her millions of dollars, according to Entrepeneurs.com Madam C.J. Walker had a dream, “I had a dream, and in that dream a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. Some of the remedy was grown in Africa, but I sent for it, mixed it, put it on my scalp, and in a few weeks my hair was coming in faster than it had ever fallen out. I tried it on my friends; it helped them. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it.”
With the little money she was making as a small entrepreneur, she did not give up. She was very patient, educated herself on the products she wanted to sell, saved her hard earned money, invested in herself, promoted her own products, and was soon able to find the right ingredients that worked well in growing African American hair that sold out expeditiously in 1905. As the years’ progressed due to her consistency and patience, Madam C.J. Walker was able to employ more than 3000 people.
As Black America’s most successful entrepreneur, and self-made woman millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker was able to reverse her rags to riches leaving behind a legacy that is now prosperous today, and influential to all young entrepreneurs starting their own businesses.
Alex Knox - Glam Girl 
Hey there Alex, I think this post is truly inspiring not only for those who want to start their own business but for black women in America. Before I changed my major, I was extremely interested in entrepreneurship and you’re about to convince me to go back. I hope this post sends out a message to not just those who want to pursue this career, but for those, in general, to never give up even when things get hard.
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Hey Alex, I think this story is really good and will cause people to want to become entrepreneurs. If you have an idea, you should test it out and sell it to people even if you think it’s not a good one. When you step out and are confident in your product, people will eventually want to buy it and will see the value of it. This will help a lot of people because becoming an entrepreneur can be another stream of income that will help them towards financial freedom..
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Hey girl!! First of all, i want to say that i really LOVE your story idea. I can’t wait to read about entrepreneurship, this will a good read. I think including Madam C.J. Walkers story is a perfect piece for your story, to show the readers the importance of entrepreneurship. I agree with Hope that this story is inspiring young black American women. And for anyone who is pursuing becoming an entrepreneur.
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Hey Alex!
I love this piece that you’ve written about Madam C.J. Walker! Her story is an excellent one to tell, and it is so inspiring. Madam C.J. Walker built an empire for modern black hair care out of $1.50/hr. It is relevant to us all because it shows that we can come from anything and become something. Hopefully, your piece inspires us all to realize the talents and gifts we all possess.
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Hey Alex
It is a beautiful and very inspiring story. I liked the persistence and perseverance that Madam C.J. Walker!. I think that her story will provide the desired benefit to everyone, especially students, to motivate them to start making money and searching for financial stability.
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Hey Alex! Madam C.J. Walker is inspiring, sometimes I struggle with keep wanting to work towards my degree. This story, however, has made it a lot easier. It is a pleasant and good thing that despite all odds, Walker did it.
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Hey Alex,
I think this was an amazing piece and enjoyed reading it! You provided great detail for this journalism project. Anyways, great post!
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Hello Alex, I found your blog very interesting in the topic of persuading entrepreneurs to start a business, especially in those hard times where the business idea might not even be worth it. Providing great detail and example as Madam CJ. Walker is such an inspiration for entrepreneurs that are looking to not start a business. Your blog is perfect for inspiration and motivation to do what they believe is worth working on as a business.
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