Overcoming Adversity by Just Doing It!
Posted by admin on September 19, 2009
An amazing example of an unstoppable woman who overcame adversity is Sarah Walker. You have probably never heard of Sarah Walker but she caught my attention a few years ago. In 1905 Sarah developed a conditioning treatment for straightening hair.
Starting with door-to-door sales of her cosmetics, Sarah Walker amassed a fortune. In 1910 she built a factory in Indianapolis to manufacture her line of cosmetics. Before her death in 1919 she was a millionaire, one of the most successful business executives in the early half of the twentieth century. She was one of the first American women of any race or rank to become a millionaire through her own efforts.
Did Sarah have all the ducks lined up for her financial success? Absolutely not!
Sarah’s parents were both ex-slaves and Sarah was orphaned by the age of seven. Not a powerful start for anyone, especially a small black girl in the late 1800’s. Because of her impoverished background she had only a limited formal education. She was married at fourteen, “to get a home”, and had a daughter but was widowed at twenty.
For eighteen years, she supported herself and her daughter working as a washerwoman. Then Sarah had an idea to begin a cosmetics business. She added the prefix Madame to her name and took to the road marketing her hair products door-to-door. Tenacity, creativity, perseverance, determination and hard work made Sarah Walker the successful woman she was. Remember, if she can do it, so can you!
Jan Janzen is a non-denominational minister, healer and business coach. She is the author of two books and 8 CDs for the spiritual entrepreneur. To receive Jan´s complimentary ebook: 10 Secrets to Living the Life of Your Dreams, visit www.janjanzendaily.com
To enjoy more writings from Jan’s writings and the other Overcomers, Inc. authors CLICK HERE for our free E-Book “Overcoming Adversity With Grace”.
As a former handmade beauty manufacturer (cold-process soap) and an industry advocate, it was a delight to read your article referencing Sarah Walker! She is truly an inspiration to anyone about overcoming adversity simply by taking action. Sometimes the next best action item not only moves us in the direction of our dreams, but allows us the confidence that we’ve done everything in our power to change our current circumstances.
Hi Jan,
Thanks for reminding us what we are made of!
In entrepreneurship, strength and perserverence are the most important qualities to have.
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