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Madame CJ Walker - The Mother of Network Marketing & The Worlds First Female Self-Made Millionaire
2009 DirectSellingLive.com's Legend of the Year
Madam CJ Walker – 1867–1919
Founder of Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Co.
Founded: 1905
“I got my start by giving myself a start.”—Madam C.J. Walker
Born to former slaves and with little formal education, Madam C. J. Walker went on to be proclaimed the first self-made female millionaire by The Guinness Book of World Records. The United States Postal Service recognized her achievements by honoring her with a postage stamp. She is an Industry Legend because of the brilliant marketing and sales strategies she employed and because of all the women she empowered. Walker enabled literally thousands of black women to go into business for themselves.
At age thirty-nine, Walker, a single mother, went into business for herself. She began by making her own hair care products in a bathtub and giving free demonstrations. In time she recruited a sales force of satisfied customers who earned commissions on the sales they made.
(Excerpts from http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/)
“Walker knew who her market was and she knew what she had to do to reach them. Walker knew that the majority of black women at the time were unable to read. Thus, she began a uniquely successful campaign of face to face network marketing. During a time when direct selling companies were employing typical door-to-door sales strategies, Madam C.J. Walker taught her “Walker Agents” how to recruit and teach others.
“Walker was sure to hire a vast range of candidates from within her target market. By helping them set up their own salons and letting them continue to work in their own locality, Walker was trying to utilize all of their unique networks to her advantage. At a time when most black women in the U.S. were menial workers and had little chance of improving their lot in life, Walker gave them not only hope, but also opportunity.
“I am not satisfied in making money for myself,” Walker said. “I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race.”
In another brilliant move, Walker moved her entire operation to Indianapolis because that’s where eight railway systems intersected and it would help her distribute her products.
“By 1913, her company had a sales force over 20,000 strong throughout not only the U.S., but also Central America and the Caribbean. Walker made it her business to hire the very women who would be interested in using her products.
“By 1917 annual conventions were being held by “Walker Agents” to train new and old recruits. They were distinct in their white uniforms and black beauty supplies case.
“By the time she died in 1919, she was 51 years old and one of the richest women in the country.”
Madam C J Walker