I was just scrolling through news and an item caught my eye. It was about a Madam C.J walker. I stopped short and wondered who would call herself “madam” in her name. It was a Netflix series called “Self Made” based on her life. I did some digging and the story I found was inspiring to say the least.
Born as Sarah Breedlove, her parents were slaves in a plantation as was very common in America at that time. Especially in the South. But Sarah was the first child who was born free after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. At the age of seven, she was orphaned and worked as a domestic help. At the age of 14, she married and had a daughter, but her husband passed away, leaving her alone with a 2-year old. She married again but that failed and then she married for the last time – Charles Joseph Walker. With this marriage, she took the name of Madam C.J walker. The word “Madam” was used as French women pioneers used this.
What we must try to understand that at the time she was wanting to start a business, the black people still didn’t have a lot of freedom and resources. On top of that, she was a woman. She wanted to give her daughter a good education but didn’t have enough resources.
At that time, she was suffering from scalp ailments, dandruff and baldness, like many at the time due to the use of lye soap. Bathing was a luxury at that time for people of color. She began selling hair products for Annie Malone, but that brand largely ignored African Americans. So, she decided to use her knowledge to develop her own products for African Americans. She became an independent hairdresser and sold products from door to door. She started a mail-order operation, the moved to Pittsburgh opening a beauty parlour and a college for hair culturists. She began the “Walker System” – a training program for licensed sales agents. They also opened up bases in Indianapolis and New York.
She set up headquarters and a factory in Indianapolis and trained many women to marker her products. This move ensured that she could ship her products all over. They dressed in a signature uniform of black skirts and white shorts with satchels, selling her products door to door with her face on the packaging.
Like an entrepreneur, she started off with a dream and found success in a few years. Instead of just selling her products she sold a lifestyle and hygiene. She recognised and pushed the power of a brand with her name and picture on her products. There were products, diets, techniques and hot combs that created a full product line. The “Walker Method” involved a system of using combs, pomade and brushing to get a good scalp and better hair. The pomade she made and sold was very popular. Her saleswoman known as beauty culturists sold products personally, creating loyalty amongst customers.
She encouraged employees by offering healthy commissions, established clubs for them and encouraged them to give back to communities. She herself donated a lot to many institutions.
Even though she had a complex life, she created a cosmetics empire. With her indomitable spirit, she found the capital to start her business and even with her limited position, she found a way to succeed. She was a part of social transformation to bring a sea change in women’s entrepreneurship. She took her own struggles with hair care and management and turned them into a business opportunity. An opportunity which quickly rose to great heights. She learned from the market and competitors and established a successful business, employing many women and giving back to the society.
Her story shows how innovation and ideas can be made into successful ventures if you are passionate enough. Even in times of difficulty, you can come up with brilliant ideas that fulfil your dreams of entrepreneurship. As for the series, I am waiting for it to release and I will be watching it for sure.