This post is not a biography of Madam C .J. Walker – her great-great-grand daughter, A’Lelia Bundles, has a wealth of information available from her blog, and her books.
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, National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912
Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made U.S. woman millionaire of any race ~ Wikimedia
I woke up this morning with Madam C. J. Walker on my mind and I thought “I need to do a post about this Successful Female Entrepreneur.”
I had some knowledge of Madam C. J. Walker that changed 2 years ago when I did my series, Extraordinary Woman of the week. I found information that I wasn’t aware of on the internet. As I read through the information, I saw a blue print for entrepreneurial success that inspired me.
Based on my interpretation - the blueprint for entrepreneurial success:
Tip #1
If you want to be an entrepreneur you don’t wait for permission – you give yourself permission - as Madam Walker did:
“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.”(excerpt)
No more excuses. Think of all the challenges she had to go through – she must have accepted those challenges as part of the success equation. You need to accept that as well. If you want to be in the Olympics you’re going to have challenges. You want to become a doctor you’re going to have challenges. You want to be an entrepreneur, you’re going to have challenges too. Challenges are part of our life experience. Challenges and success are on the opposite end of the same pole. You can’t have one without the other.
Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way. ~Les Brown~
Tip #2
Know your ideal client and give them what they want – not what you think they want.
Madame C. J Walker knew her ideal clients and knew the product she wanted to sell them. You can do the same. Answer this question: Who do you want to serve and what have they told you they need help with? Where do you get this valuable information, you ask? Today, the internet makes it easy. What are they saying on social Media, forums, comments on blogs, what’s trending in Google etc.
No more excuses! Look, listen, study, learn, implement and serve.
That’s what Madam C. J. Walker did.
Tip #3
Learn from those who are doing or have done what you want to do.
Madame C. J. Walker had a scalp ailment. Some of the products she used were from Annie Malone. She became a sales agent for Annie Malone. A year or so later she started her own business and began selling Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, scalp conditioning and healing formulas.
Do you need to get a coach or mentor? What books do you need to read? What videos should you watch? There’s a limitless supply of information at your finger tips.
Tip #3
Marketing is an important component of your business success
You have to think outside of the box for sales and marketing strategies and if there isn’t a box, you have to be willing to build one.
Madam C.J. Walker understood sales and marketing. She knew she had to get her product in front of her ideal customers. For a year and a half she rolled up her sleeves and put on her traveling shoes and went to the areas where her ideal customers lived: the heavily black South and Southeast - where she sold her products door to door. She demonstrated scalp treatments, devising sales, and marketing strategies.
Where are your ideal clients hanging out? Get to know them. Connect, form a relationship, listen, share, be of service and sell them what they need. If sales and marketing are not your strengths, study and learn or put someone on your team who has these skills.
Tip #4
Build a team and don’t be afraid to delegate and grow.
You can’t grow a profitable business by yourself. You’ll need to trust others to do the day to day activities of your business. Do the things that only you can do and allow your team to do the rest.
Madam C.J. Walker understood this concept. Here’s one example: In 1916, she left the day-to-day operations of her manufacturing company in Indianapolis to Ransom and Alice Kelly, her factory fore-lady and a former school teacher.
Tip #5
Give back to your community.
Madam C.J. Walker gave $1,000 to the building fund of the “colored” YMCA in Indianapolis.
She contributed $5,000 to the NAACP.
Tip # 6
Nothing stays the same. Look for new ways to grow and be of service.
A few Examples -
In 1913, she traveled to Central America and the Caribbean to expand her business.
By early 1910, in Indianapolis, she built a factory, hair and manicure salon and another training school.
Tip #7
Become involved in your community and social concerns
Walker joined a group of Harlem leaders who visited the White House to present a petition advocating federal anti-lynching legislation.
Tip#8
Show appreciation for your team members.
As her business continued to grow, Madam C.J. Walker organized her agents into local and state club and they were recognized and rewarded for their business success.
Her Madam C. J. Walker Hair Culturists Union of America convention in Philadelphia in 1917 must have been one of the first national meetings of businesswomen in the country.
Conclusion
Madam C.J. Walker accomplished her entrepreneurial dream, so can you. She was born in 1867 a time of incredible challenges.
No more excuses. You can grow a successful profitable business.
I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them. ~ Madam C. J. Walker
Resource: Madam Walker Essay” from www.madamcjwalker.com by A’Lelia Bundles.
What do you think of Madam C. J. Walker and her accomplishments?
Shameless request!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post and very informative. I have been incorporating some of these very tips.
Rhachelle Nicol’ recently posted..Her Children Arise Up and Call Her Blessed
We can learn a thing or two from Madam C.J. Walker. She made became a millionaire at at time when it was difficult to be a woman and even more so for a black woman. She must have had boat loads of determination and perseverance. I love her spirit. My mom was my inspiration but Madam C.J. Walker inspires me too.
Thanks for stopping by Rhachelle and I wish you success with all of your endeavors.
I just wanted to inform your readers of this very important fact – Madame C.J. Walker’s historic company still exists today and has never stopped manufacturing all of the original hair oils! Anyone who visits our website at http://www.madamewalker.net can view and purchase the full product line.
The website also contains valuable information about the stock / asset sale (including the ability to view the stock certificates) and Raymond Randolph’s purchase of the original Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company in 1985 from the Walker Trustees in Indianapolis, Indiana and how the Randolph Family continues to keep Madame Walker’s “true” legacy alive.
To promote the entrepreneurial spirit that Madame Walker exemplified, the website provides individuals the opportunity to become a “Walker Agent” and sell Madame C.J. Walker products. By clicking on the “Find A Distributor” tab, you will see agents located in the United Kingdom, France, Bahamas, and the United States.
September 2011 marked the Centennial Anniversary of the incorporation of Madame C.J. Walker’s historic company – doing business today as Madame C.J. Walker Enterprises. On September 24th, 2011 we commemorated this event with the “Tracing the Footsteps of a Legacy” 100th Year Celebratory Walk. You can visit our website to view the Souvenir Program.
Due to our ownership of Madame’s historic company and the historical documents and memorabilia of the company, the Randolph Family can provide the most detailed and historically sound information about Madame C.J. Walker and her company by calling toll free, 866-552-2838, by clicking on the “Frequently Asked Questions” FAQS tab of our website, or by going to the contact us page of our website.
Angela Randolph
http://www.madamewalker.net
Google Alerts Told you about my conversation regarding the EXTRAordinary woman, Madam C.J Walker. I use Google Alerts, it’s an awesome tool to keep abreast of what’s being said about you and your company. I’m delighted that you stopped by to share this valuable information and you answered a question I had. Madam C.J Walker’s products are still available to the public. Awesome.