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LESSON: VISION OF BEAUTY
Lesson Summary:
Sarah Breedlove “Madam” Walker was a successful, African-American entrepreneur. Born in 1867, she rose from bleak poverty in the south to develop a large company that provided beauty products for women – especially black women. Her success came not only from providing valuable products, but also from focusing on giving her sales agents the opportunity to become successful and fulfill their own dreams. Madam Walker had a dream and made it a reality – in her own life and the lives of others. She was especially revered in Indianapolis, where she spent much of her life.
Concept: Entrepreneur
Definition: An entrepreneur is someone who takes the risk to develop a new product or start a new business.
Comprehension Questions
What training and skills did Sarah’s family provide to help her become a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur?
Since Sarah was from a very poor family that had little opportunity, and because she was orphaned early in her life, she had no formal training or schooling that her family could provide. However, her family provided her with the example of hard work and evidently gave her a faith in God, which sustained her later in life.
What event inspired her to start her own business and be a success?
One night at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, she heard an inspiring speech by Margaret Washington, the wife of Booker T. Washington, that encouraged black women to prosper and succeed. Mrs. Washington’s articulate speaking and positive manner had a great effect on Sarah.
Why did Sarah decide to develop hair products to sell?
Sarah had a problem with her own hair falling out. She prayed to God for help. In a dream she got the idea to develop her own hair products from natural oils and ingredients.
How did Sarah learn how to develop hair products?
She took the initiative to search out and study natural ingredients that she could use in her hair products. She also set up a makeshift laboratory in her attic and worked very hard at night to develop hair products. She exhibited the traits of persistence, hard work, and a determination to succeed!
For an entrepreneur or business to succeed, what must be true about the products they sell?
Ultimately, the products must be wanted by consumers, who must be willing to pay a price that covers all the costs of production.
Why were Madam Walker’s products and business so successful?
Most importantly, her products were very effective in improving women’s hair. Madam Walker also was very good at marketing her products. She advertised very effectively in newspapers, which increased the demand for her products. She also used her sales agents in a very skillful way. Her agents were initially her customers, but she allowed them to join the business and succeed by selling the products themselves. Her agents developed self-sufficiency, which gave a vision of hope and success.
Why did Madam Walker move her business to Pittsburgh and eventually to Indianapolis?
There were productive resources in these cities that helped her business to grow, like steel for hair combs and excellent transportation resources (i.e. capital goods) like roads, trains, warehouses, etc., which helped keep her shipping costs low.
Was Madam Walker assured of success when she started her business?
No – no entrepreneur knows if he or she will succeed. There is always the risk of failure. She didn’t know if customers would purchase her products at a high enough price to make a profit.
How do we know that her business was a success?
The business made very high profits. It was obvious that consumers liked her products and were willing to pay good prices for them.
Ultimately, why was Madam Walker a success?
Her main object in life as a businesswoman was ultimately not to make money, but to help others to succeed like herself. She certainly produced good hair products, but her ability to inspire others and help them improve their lives was the key factor in her success.
Other Concepts: Profit, Productive Resources
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