Intrepid Entrepreneures - Fighting for Freedom

#IntrepidEntrepreneures

Who would have thought that a seemingly pointless, mandatory Management module in the 3rd year of an engineering degree would have introduced me to some really quite inspiring figures? Especially since I'd never previously found the world of business (can't help but think of this when I write 'The World of Business' - about 50 seconds in) particularly inspiring! However, the following people stand out not only for their impressive entrepreneurship but also for using their skills to support causes (from environmental issues to fighting poverty) whilst having to fight against various social prejudices themselves.

In particular Anita Roddick, Madam C. J. Walker and Mary Katherine Goddard stand out and, while it was tempting to give them posts in their own right, instead I've tried to summarise some key points of their lives and achievements with links to where to find out more.

Anita Roddick (1942-2007)

Health & beauty products, human & animal rights activism (‘The Body Shop’, ‘The Big Issue’)

Anita Roddick became both a cultural and entrepreneurial role model after showing immense commitment not only to her business but also the human- and animal-rights campaigns and ideals that it came to support and stand for. In the face of bigoted bank managers, leaky roofs, a society fast becoming materialistic and compassion-less to the extreme, and a growing family to support, she built from scratch the first high street store with a conscience. [1] [2] 

‘The Body Shop’, now a successful franchise, sold products based on the knowledge she had gained from her travels all over the world, mainly to small, isolated fishing communities, and combined these with her passion for environmental, animal-rights-based and humanitarian causes. Respected globally for her unceasing hard work and commitment, her motivation in the face of adversity and her intrinsic enthusiasm, she will be remembered not only as one of Britain’s most successful businesspeople but as one of the few, talented people who managed to use the corporate system to truly make a difference. [3][4] 

Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919)

Promoting financial independence for early-20th century american women, health & beauty product invention & development, civil rights activism (‘Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Laboratories’, ‘Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company’)

For some people fighting against both racial segregation and sexism in order to establish a successful career for yourself would be enough of a challenge (and already deserves substantial recognition). However, for Madam Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) this was not enough. After inventing and establishing her own hair care product range and travelling across the USA to promote it, she then used it as a springboard for encouraging other women to do the same. She taught other women from similarly poverty-stricken backgrounds to her own business and sales skills, as well as setting up and running a beauty training school from 1908-1910. [5]

Whilst travelling she gave speeches on political, economic and social issues. She was a key member of several influential civil rights movements organisations (NAACP, NACWC) and an important figure in their anti-lynching campaigns. More than that, she was clearly more forward thinking than many people of influence even today, investing heavily in educational scholarships and homes for the elderly as well. [6] [7]

Generally attributed as the USA's first female self-made millionaire, she was and remains a great inspiration to men and women of all races and nationalities. It is only unfortunate (and a little depressing) that 100 years after she began fighting for such causes, there is still so much work to do.

Mary Katherine Goddard (1736-1816)

Printing industries and postal service, independence activism, freedom of press (‘Providence Gazette’,‘West's Almanack’, ‘Pennsylvania Chronicle’, ‘Maryland Journal’, ‘Baltimore Advertiser’)

After more or less running the family printing and publishing business which was officially in her brother's name for 13 years, Mary Goddard was formally recognised as both editor and publisher in 1775, the same year she became Postmaster for Baltimore, probably being the first woman in America to take on such a role.

This was also the year that the American Revolutionary War began in which the 13 colonies of British America began fighting for independence from the British Empire. A year later, representatives of these colonies had drawn up a Declaration of Independence, stating that they considered themselves independent of Great Britain and that they intended to form a new nation. An estimated 200 copies of the document were first published as the Dunlap Broadside - printed in somewhat of a rush on the night of the 4th of July 1776. By early 1777 it was decided that the document should be more widely distributed and, despite it being a treasonable offence to print the document, they needed a publisher to volunteer. Mary Goddard took her roles in the publication and distribution of the printed word seriously and considered them a responsibility to the american people. She was the first publisher to offer the use of her press to the Continental Congress and so in January 1777 a second copy of the Declaration of Independence was published as the Goddard Broadside. It was this copy that was the first to include the names of all the signatories - and so from this copy that the american public first learned these names - and it was this copy that was the first to contain the famous signature of John Hancock which was missing from the Dunlap Broadside.

However, she was soon let down by the nation she had unquestioningly put her life in danger for and played such a key role in building. In 1789 the Postmaster General decided to replace her with John White, stating that given that Baltimore was to become the new regional headquarters, being a woman, she would no longer be able to manage the frequent, long-distance travels this job would now entail - and not stating that White was in fact his political ally, which may have had something more to do with it. Despite 230 residents signing a petition to the newly elected president George Washington and an appeal to the U.S. Senate, White took her job.

Though some would have lost faith in the new system they had fought to build, Goddard stayed true to her beliefs. In 1812 she pulled her many resources to free a woman named Belinda from slavery to whom she bequeathed all her possessions and property.

[8] [9] [10] [11]

Martha Lane Fox (b. 1973)

Management (‘Lastminute.com’, ‘Lucky Voice’, ‘Antigone’, ‘Reprieve’, ‘Marks & Spencer’, ‘Channel 4’, ‘MyDeco.com’); Also ‘Champion for Digital Inclusion’

After co-founding ‘Lastminute.com’, Europe’s largest travel and leisure website [12] which was valued at £667 million in 2003, Martha took the £18 million she received when it was sold to Sabre Holdings as self-earned capital to invest in her new ventures. [13] 

As well as becoming a trustee of registered charity ‘Reprieve’ and setting up her own grant-making trust ‘Antigone’, she has started the growing company ‘Lucky Voice’ which provides private karaoke rooms in an increasing number of bars and restaurants around the country. [14] 

As government-appointed Champion for Digital Inclusion, she led the team charged with the task of ensuring that everyone in the UK could afford access to the internet. [15]

Sharon Wright

Engineering Tools - Cabling Installation Tools (‘Talpa Products Ltd.’, manufacturer of ‘Magnamole’)

From a moment of inspiration to a successful enterprise which claims to save the engineering industry £6.5 million in down time, Sharon Wright is a shining example of an entrepreneur in the truest form. Working 16-20 hours a day, seven days a week, whilst single-handedly bringing up her 12-year-old daughter, she demonstrates both commitment and courage, but it is her communication skills that single her out from the rest. [16]

The testimonials displayed proudly on the website and the support she received from Schneider Electric distributors show not only the strength of her customer and other professional relationships but also how much she values them. [17] 

What’s more, after an appearance on BBC’s ‘The Dragon’s Den’ where she was famed for giving the “perfect pitch” [18] she left with a better deal than she had entered for and her presentation and communication skills have been heralded as an example to others. [19]