Stories about successful women. Women's Success Stories

Estee Lauder was born on July 1, 1908, a woman who built a cosmetics empire from scratch and became one of the most influential business people of the 20th century. Do you still think that a woman's place is in the kitchen? Then the Weekend project comes to you - with a list of business women who prove the opposite by their example.

1. Estee Lauder: magic recipes and the boss behind the counter

Estée Lauder, the daughter of Jewish immigrants, was born in the slums of New York City and has gone from natural homemade face cream salesman to beauty empire owner. In 2003, the company she founded, Estee Lauder, ranked 249th in the list of 500 largest corporations United States with an annual income of 4.74 billion dollars.

Secret of success : Uncle John's anti-aging cosmetics plus a successful advertising strategy.

Business Principles :"Once you turn your back on the customer, you've lost him."

Estée Lauder was the first to offer her customers free samples and gifts for the purchase and loved to advise clients herself.

"Time is not on your side, but I am!" is just one of her famous advertising slogans.

Evil tongues claimed that such a naive "feminine" approach would not lead to good, but the system launched by Lauder soon bore fruit.

Estee Lauder, 1992, France

"Don't write angry letters"

Lauder preferred to work personally not only with clients, but also with staff: she spent a lot of time behind the counter, inspiring salespeople with her example. “My current position is not the result of dreams or hopes, but of hard work,” she reminded her employees.

"If a woman who is in business is thinking about the success of her marriage, she must subtly give her husband the opportunity to feel strong and significant - and then he will actually be strong and significant."

Husband Joseph supported Este in all endeavors, being responsible for financial questions firms, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren continued the business when she retired at the age of 87. Now Estee Lauder is headed by the eldest of the two sons of Este and Joseph - Leonard Lauder. He started working for the firm as a delivery boy at the age of 10 and is now ranked 131st on the list of the world's billionaires.

2. Widow Clicquot: champagne worthy of Pushkin

Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot (nee Ponsardin) was born in 1777 in Reims in the family of a wealthy textile industrialist. The father was able to successfully marry his daughter to the son of his colleague - Philippe Clicquot, who, in addition to textile industry He also had a small wine business. The young couple began to develop their father's business, but in 1804 Monsieur Clicquot died unexpectedly, leaving the business in the hands of his widow. Today, the Veuve Clicquot brand ranks second in the world in terms of sales, second only to Moet & Chandon.

Secret of success : elite champagne, created using innovative technologies for that time. She invented new way production, which significantly speeds up the production of champagne and ensures the transparency of the drink: the bottles were now placed neck down so that the sediment collected in the neck, then they were frozen and the ice plug was removed along with the sediment.

Business Principles: Keep track of competitors

Leon Konye. "Portrait of the Widow Clicquot", 1860-1862

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot tried to be one step ahead of her competitors - especially the main one - Jean-Remy Moet. Secretly from everyone, she sent 75 boxes of champagne to Russia, which went with a bang in St. Petersburg at a price of 12 rubles per bottle. "... Of all the good wines that have already hit the heads of the northerners," the manager reported to the hostess, "not one resembles the bottling of 1811 ... This marvelous wine has a deadly effect ... Your wine is nectar, it is as strong as Hungarian wine as yellow as gold."

Widow Clicquot or Moet
blessed wine
In a frozen bottle for a poet
It was brought to the table immediately.

(A.S. Pushkin, "Eugene Onegin")

Neither the war of 1812 nor trade restrictions stopped the victorious march of widow Clicquot champagne - Clicquot champagne was drunk on both sides of the barricades. And even Pushkin could not resist.

"Whatever happens - keep your face"

The only daughter of the widow Clicquot Clementine (depicted in the picture above with her mother) was indifferent to the family business and, with much more willingness, jumped out to marry Count Louis de Chevigne, a ladies' man and a gambler. At first, the count squandered his mother-in-law's fortune with pleasure, and then he took it and released a brochure about his love affairs in the 18+ style. While her daughter burned with shame, the widow Clicquot bought the entire print run and ordered it to be destroyed, but a couple of copies have survived to this day.

3. Helena Rubinstein: The miser gets more

Helena (Chaya) Rubinstein was the eighth child in the family of a Krakow shopkeeper. Having mastered the basics medical profession, not knowing English, she traveled from Poland to Australia, where she began making face creams from local ingredients. One of the lines, containing herbs from the Carpathian Mountains, cost Helena ten pence a bottle and sold for six shillings - this woman always knew the value of money. Today, the Helena Rubinstein brand is owned by L'Oréal Corporation, and its products are sold in 50 countries around the world.

Secret of success : the world's first network of beauty salons - first in Australia, then in Europe and America, which used A complex approach in the treatment of skin diseases. Rubinstein was the first to classify skin into types (dry/oily/normal) and came up with a three-step skin care system that is still used today. By the way, "Beauty Day", after which the clients shone (and now shine) with happiness, leaving a tidy sum in the salon - also her know-how.

Business Principles: Method of whip and ... whip

Portrait of Helena Rubinstein, a native Polish woman who built a career in Austria.

Subordinates nicknamed Rubinstein "woman-tornado" and "tyrant-fighter", she controlled every breath in her salons and cut employees' salaries every now and then. Well-trained and hungry salesmen ran away from the boss in dozens - right into the arms of her closest rival, Elizabeth Arden.

Saving is the way to wealth

One of the richest women in the world, Helena Rubinstein, was known as a real miser: she never dined in restaurants, preferring sandwiches made with her own hands, bargaining for every penny.

Even at the age of 92, Rubinstein was unbreakable. To the robbers who once broke into her penthouse, she said: "You can kill me, but I will not allow myself to be robbed."

What Helena never spared money for was art, considering the purchase of paintings a profitable investment. She herself posed for Berar, Sutherland, Dali.

4. Coco Chanel: risk is a noble cause

“Fashion should be accepted, otherwise you will look ridiculous. However, you should accept the new imperceptibly, in small portions,” said Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, a fashion legend of the twentieth century. A girl from an orphanage, a seamstress in a ready-made dress store, a singer in a cafeteria - Coco Chanel did not immediately get her own empire. But now Chanel's house is an example of luxury and elegance with an annual turnover of about 1.089 billion dollars.

Secret of success : little black dress and Chanel #5

Business Principles: "Don't marry men with change purses"

Coco Chanel, 1920

Coco Chanel did not hide that talent was talent, and her men helped her get on her feet. The first - Etienne, a wealthy heir and sportsman, provided Gabrielle with his apartment, where she opened her first workshop. The real support for her was the young Englishman Arthur Capel - Chanel's greatest love. He saw Coco as a promising businesswoman and in 1910 helped her acquire premises on the rue Cambon in Paris, where she opened her first shop. Very soon she had a Model House in the fashionable resort of Biarritz.

“I don’t do fashion. I myself am fashion,” said Coco.

Don't be afraid to start a revolution

Before Chanel, women were buried under miles of fabric and lace: tight skirts, huge bustles, trains and giant hats. She offered women unprecedented outfits, partly borrowed from the men's wardrobe, and was able to break the stereotype that says that black is a poor and mournful color. For five years, she released only black, and things flew off the shelves in an instant. Chanel created fashion, not paying attention to tradition, regardless of what is accepted and what is not.

Rise from the ashes if you have to

In the late 30s, with the outbreak of World War II, Coco Chanel was forced to close all her boutiques and moved to Switzerland, because in France she was hated for having an affair with a Nazi officer - what a serious blow to her reputation!

Only in 1953 did Chanel return to Paris, where she had to rebuild her business. It took three years to return to its former glory, but now Coco began to produce not only women's clothing as well as bags, shoes and accessories.

Coco Chanel died in 1971 without leaving heirs. In 1965, the son of Chanel's longtime partner Pierre Wertheimer, Jacques, began to manage the fashion business. Since 1983, the direction of fashion was led by Karl Lagerfeld, who "revitalized the brand" and raised it to a new level.

5. Mary Kay Ash: selling with love

Mary Kay Ash, founder of the self-named company, is considered the most successful female entrepreneur in American history. As of January 2013, Mary Kay has worldwide sales of more than $3 billion, and its products are represented in 35 countries around the world, where it is distributed by about 2.5 million independent consultants.

Secret of success : Mary Kay Ash didn't just start a cosmetics company. She created a new corporate culture, almost a religion, based on motivation, in which each team member has a role and a magical job title - for example, National Leader. According to Mary Kay, she created a Company "that has a heart."

Business Principles: "You can do it!"

This is the basis of the foundations of Mary Kay's philosophy, because she herself did the almost impossible - she made the whole world believe in the story of Cinderella again. At the age of 17, Mary Kay got married, gave birth to three children, and a few years later, her husband filed for divorce. For 25 years, Mary Kay worked as a sales agent, but never received a promotion (the position was given to a man), at the age of 45 she quit to write a book about women in business. In the process, Mary Kay realized that her manuscript looked like a business plan for an ideal company she wanted to work for. Then she decided to create it herself. Mary Kay founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963 with the support of her 20-year-old son Roger. starting capital 5 thousand dollars.

American entrepreneur and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mary Kay Ash

"The basis of a leader is not the mind, but the heart. You can love people and not be a leader for them, but you cannot be a leader and not love people."

These kinds of business principles, invented by Mary Kay Ash, can be listed for a long time, and in the end this whole set is like a Bible. However, sales figures prove that this industry of beauty and kindness does not work in vain, bringing happiness, if not to consumers, then to employees - for sure. Here is the "success story" of one of the National Leaders of the firm, Angelina Antipenko, published on the Mary Kay website: "Looking back at the path I have traveled, I feel a huge positive change in myself and in the world around me. let in all the love, all the beauty, all the energy that Mary Kay put into the Dream Company she created."

6 Ruth Handler And The Barbie Universe

A simple American, Ruth Handler, had been working since she was 10 and knew exactly what she wanted to achieve in the future - to go to college and earn money on her own. In 1945, together with her husband Elliot and his friend, she organized a company for the production of photo frames and toy furniture, which Ruth made from leftover wood, and then Barbie dolls - Ruth's main invention. Now Mattel is an international leader in toys and family products, one of America's top 100 employers. Barbie dolls provide a third of the corporation's sales.

Secret of success : a curvaceous blonde plastic doll that replaced sexless baby dolls and became a favorite toy for girls of all peoples of the world from 1959 to this day.

Business Principles: If you want to produce a product, watch the consumers

Ruth Handler, inventor of the Barbie doll, presents a special 40th anniversary doll. NY.

Ruth designed her Barbie by watching her daughter Barbara play with a paper doll. “I think that such toys do not contribute to the development of self-esteem in girls - she doesn’t have breasts at all!” Ruth said later. Barbie could be dressed in luxurious outfits and combed, introduced to Ken and settled in a toy house - the production of millions of accessories, of course, was taken over by Mattel.

Television is the engine of sales

Even before the creation of Barbie, Ruth understood how best to promote the product - the Handlers for the first time launched ads for their toys on TV between Disney cartoons, while the rest of the manufacturers acted through retailer. The company spent $500,000 on advertising, but two years later earned $14 billion. So when the grown-ups were skeptical of the blond new "breasted" Ruth already knew what to do, and again turned to massive advertising on TV screens. The first batch of Barbies in the amount of 351 pieces worth $ 3 sold out instantly. In the first 10 years, Barbie brought $ 500 million into the pockets of the Handler couple. Subsequently, Ruth Handler proved herself as a screenwriter when creating cartoons about her character, in particular, "Barbie and the Nutcracker".

7. Oprah Winfrey: everyone will talk

Last week, American TV presenter Oprah Winfrey topped the list of the most influential celebrities according to Forbes magazine- for the fifth time in his career. Oprah's fortune is estimated at 2.7 billion dollars - a female record in show business. She is the first and only black female billionaire in history, owns the Oprah Winfrey Network, Oprah Magazine and satellite radio station Oprah Radio.

Secret of success : The Oprah Show, the most watched show on American television, ran for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011. In a white leather chair opposite the presenter sat the great and famous - US presidents, including Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Whitney Houston, Sarah Palin, but even more - ordinary Americans with their stories, problems, tragedies and recipes for happiness. Oprah is able to "split" any guest: even cyclist Lance Armstrong admitted to using doping on her show, although he had been silent for many years before that.

Business Principles: "Know that you are on your way to success if you are doing work that you are not getting paid for."

From the moment when Oprah began to speak, she was always on stage - as a child she interviewed crows on the fence, at school she grabbed every opportunity to show her oratory skills, participated in all competitions. On one of them - "Miss Fire Prevention" - she was noticed by the host of the WVOL radio station and called to read the news on the air. It was her first paid job, Oprah combined work with studies in high school and got a hundred dollars a week.

"You only get in life what you dare to ask for. Don't be afraid to raise the bar."

At the age of 17, Oprah Winfrey became the youngest local media reporter and Nashville's first black female television reporter, and in 1986 created her best show ever.

"The more you give, the more you get."

Oprah's childhood was not easy - she lived with her grandmother on a farm, in a house without sewerage. At the age of 9, Oprah was raped by her cousin, at the age of 14 she gave birth to a son who died after birth. It is not known what would have happened to Oprah if not for Government program, which provided access to a prestigious suburban school. When the TV presenter began to earn millions, she pledged to pay for the education of poor black children. To date, Oprah has donated to charities educational programs more than 400 million dollars.

8. Indra Nooyi: business in a sari

Once upon a time, Indra Nooyi could not afford a business suit, so she went to interviews in a sari, and today the CEO of PepsiCo is on the tenth line of the list of the most influential women in the world according to Forbes. This year, the company's revenue grew by 1.2% to $13 billion.

Secret of success : a good education. Indra realized early on that learning is light. In college, she studied chemistry, physics and mathematics, then entered the Indian Institute of Management, after which she put her knowledge into practice in a branch of Johnson & Johnson. At 22, she decided, contrary to tradition, to go to the United States and continue her studies at Yale University. "For a young girl from a conservative family, from the Brahmin caste, to go abroad alone - it was impossible to imagine!" she said afterwards.

Business Principles: Work, work and work

PepsiCo President and CEO Indra Nooyi K. holds a bottle of Pepsi at a press conference in New Delhi, December 18, 2006.

The results of Indra's work speak for themselves. By 1994, the management specialist was being torn apart by the giants General Electric and Pepsi, and she chose the latter, tempted by the freedom she was given to make decisions. Nooyi managed to outrun main competitor Coca-Cola and played a major role in two of Pepsi's most important deals: the purchase of the Tropicana brand and the acquisition of Quaker Oats. Thanks to her, Pepsi expanded its range and began to produce snacks. By the way, Nuyi still often comes to work in a sari.

9. JK Rowling: Wealth at the Waving of a Magic Wand

British housewife-loser JK Rowling wrote six books, and that was enough to spend the rest of her life in luxury and wealth. Rowling is ranked 78th on the Forbes list of the most powerful women in the world, is the richest woman in the UK and can afford to build a mini-Hogwarts in the garden.

Secret of success : the story of the young magician Harry Potter, written in an Edinburgh cafe, which conquered the world.

Business Principles: “I never set myself the goal of becoming rich. Many years ago I received a letter from some organization - I think from America - that wanted to declare me entrepreneur of the year. I replied that, unfortunately, I had to refuse this title, because It is unlikely that I will ever make a lot of money.It was never in my plans.I just wrote a book and thought it was good book. That's all".

Wealth really hit Rowling suddenly, and at first she didn’t really know what to do with it - she just spent money right and left. But very soon Joan learned to control and multiply the income stream that brings her Magic world- production of films, souvenirs, publication of books and so on. In 2012, the Potter series books became available in in electronic format in the Pottermore store, which Rowling herself receives most of the proceeds: she became the first writer who did not cede the rights to electronic sales to publishers. At the same time, Rowling first published a book for adults, "Random Vacancy", which became a bestseller simply because it was written by the author of "Harry Potter".

10. Elena Baturina: Moscow, the bells are ringing

In 2010, the former first lady of Moscow and the first Russian billionaire Elena Baturina entered the top three richest business women in the world according to Forbes magazine. In 2012, in an interview with The Times, she estimated her net worth at $1.1-1.2 billion.

Secret of success : the company "Inteko" created by Baturina, which began with the production of plastic products - basins and chairs - under her leadership became one of the most profitable enterprises in Russia. According to experts, Elena Baturina's Inteko is a whole era in the real estate market, a company that in the early 2000s shaped the market and dictated its development. Baturina's activities in the Moscow housing market also caused a lot of criticism - the company was accused of obtaining lucrative contracts due to the fact that Baturina is the wife of Yuri Luzhkov.

Business Principles: "It's very good that I'm a woman. A woman will always find something to do."

Elena Baturina began to build her career even before meeting with Yuri Luzhkov. After graduating from the evening department of the Ordzhonikidze Moscow Institute of Management, she got a job as a design engineer at the Fraser plant, where her parents worked. Then Elena moved to the Moscow Institute of Economic Problems of Integrated Development National economy, was engaged in cooperation in the executive committee, where Yuri Luzhkov was the chairman of the commission. It was there that they met.

"I gave bribes, did not pay kickbacks"

In an interview with the REN TV channel, Baturina admitted that the status of the wife of the mayor of Moscow did not help her do without bribes to officials. "The principle is very simple: you never know that she is the mayor's wife, what do I have to lose on this?", - said the former owner of Inteko.

"Business is international. You see, this is purely Russian concept that Russian money should only work for Russia. No, business should work where it is convenient for it. Because when a person realizes himself in business, he realizes his ideas in business. Where they will be implemented, in general, all the same.

A few years ago, after the dismissal of her husband from the post of mayor of the capital, Baturina sold the company and left for London, where both daughters of the spouses study. She continues to develop her business internationally. Its main direction is investments in real estate, as well as the hotel business.

Prepared by Elena Kostomarova

The success of women in business is guaranteed if she uses her advantages. In the meantime, women doubt and think about whether a woman and business are compatible, and years will pass. How true is the opinion that this is not a woman's business? How realistic are the fears that "you will become a man in a skirt"? Let's find out in this article.

Stereotypes that hinder a woman's success in business

In fact, there are many stereotypes that keep contemporaries out of business. And if, in the 19th century, it was believed that: woman unable to study, engage in politics, etc. Then in the 20th century other pictures appeared: Stakhanovkas, editorials, women in the "orange vest", images of those who "stop at a gallop and enter a burning hut."

So the soul of a woman of the 21st century is rushing about: to rush into the past, reviving the lyrical images of Turgenev's women: tender, languid, blushing with embarrassment, fainting on water or without it. Or all the same, move to the "editors".

However, if we remember the past, then let's refresh our memory and the fact that women paved their way to other professions: doctors, teachers ... Today, no one doubts that there are excellent female specialists in these professions.

There are many success stories of women in business. The list of names of those who, in both the 19th century and the 20th century, were able to start from scratch and achieve world fame can be long. It is not my task now to give you these examples.

After all, we live in the 21st century and we can draw conclusions from the past, how we should reckon with the fact that women today: educated, talented, diversified, wanting self-realization and not giving up their callings. Science and technology have made life easier and freed up a lot of free time.

Women's Business Success and Gender Differences

Business, according to the British, has no gender differences. There are no men and women, but there are business partners.

In fact, there are gender differences, and I don't think that's a good thing. As long as we remain women regardless from the environment, we will preserve the great and beautiful that is laid down by nature. Different approaches to life, family, business, that eventually and creates harmony.

Business- initiative economic activity, carried out at the expense of own or borrowed funds at one's own risk and under one's own responsibility, setting the main goals of generating income and developing one's own business.

This is the definition of a business. It is first and foremost an activity. It may concern not only economic understanding, but also the creation of a business climate, business relationships, connections, taking action, for profit.

As an example, we can recall all kinds of exhibitions, conferences, symposiums - after all, there are no usual workshops, industries, machine tools, machines, etc. tv production.

But there is an atmosphere, environment and invited participants who can establish mutually beneficial contacts. Isn't a woman a master of creating an atmosphere? So why shouldn't she expand her capabilities, scope and go beyond the walls of her usual apartment?

Business is war, you say. And you will be right, because you can really see a lot in common. There are wins and losses here. Marketing attacks and retreats. Alliances and partnerships are formed.

As in war, there are agents of influence, spies and trade secret. Arbitration disputes are sometimes arranged, and then amicable agreements are concluded. This approach is within the power of men, it looks more like their favorite pastime - playing "war".

Does a woman really not have her own field for creating a different model of activity? Let's take a deeper look at this word.

Is there a place for a woman?

Business is an English word, and in most dictionaries such an interpretation is given - active, busy.

The earliest use of the word dates back to 950. For hundreds of years, we see that business really developed according to male rules. And this path is really filled with fears, anxiety, anxiety and stress from entrepreneurship.

There is also a Chinese etymology for the word, and they are masters of doing business. Maybe you should listen to their decoding?

Business "in Chinese - 生意 (shenyi). The first character is 生" life, birth, livelihood; conditions of existence; prosperity, well-being ". The second hieroglyph is" thought, idea, desire, aspiration, opinion, point of view, meaning, meaning, interest, attraction, vigor ". () What for us is just "business, deal", for the Chinese " the birth of meaning, the awakening of thought.

That's the big difference between the European and Chinese designation of the essence of one phenomenon. Agree that the Chinese approach is very attractive to a woman.

Two strategies, two development paths.

One is male, the other is female. That in the end can develop into harmony.

Struggle is always associated with lack, insufficiency, the desire for victory and triumph.

The birth and embodiment of thoughts in reality is associated with building and supporting, developing relationships, partnerships, and cooperation.

And so it looks like the birth of a new life! And in this case, the woman succeeded very well!

The word is one, but it has two meanings. And whichever you choose, that will be your business. You can remain a woman, while developing your own business, embodying your idea! And this is the key to a harmonious own life and the successful development of your business.

We can conclude that the male approach to doing business is really not for women. A woman is not fit to fight and win back. It will not be comfortable, you will have to break yourself, deform your feminine essence, which will lead to professional burnout.

But, it is quite possible to build a business in a feminine way, in order to realize yourself and implement ideas, and earn money. The choice is yours.

And you and I can consider the signs that indicate that a woman and business are perfectly combined and bring not only benefits to customers, but create a new style of doing business. And this is the reality of the 21st century.

Success of a woman in business guaranteed if it uses its advantages.

10 benefits of a woman for business success

1 advantage - adaptability

Women adapt quickly. And the restructuring confirmed this. It was women who were able to quickly reorient themselves and adapt to new, market conditions. They can quickly mobilize and take action in spite of situations. Men are more difficult to adapt and live emotions with a belated reaction, keep them inside themselves and exhaust the nervous system. However, the statistics of cardiovascular diseases speaks of this.

The woman is cautious and thoughtful. And this is nature's inherent quality for the preservation of offspring. Such caution can slow down the rapid and rapid growth of the business, but on the other side, it just contributes to its more uniform development, avoidance of dubious, risky transactions. This is important for business security and profitability.

3 advantage - flexibility

Women are mentally flexible and not just physically. Flexibility and adaptability, the ability to manage small, bolder in choice. Find solutions by means that they have at hand now, where it seemed impossible to find.

If she needs to find out some information, then the woman will not be shy, but without complexes V turns on “blonde”. Majority successful businesses women were able to create just thanks to this quality. Men helped them for free and with pleasure, patronized them in the right circles and tried to provide support.

4 advantage - cooperation

Women love to work in a group, team, men prefer to solo in it. Women prefer to resolve things peacefully, to find compromises. The atmosphere of the space in which she is located is important for a woman. Peaceful character - competitive advantage women in business not only for clients, but also for partners. Therefore, in positions where there is work with people, we are more likely to see a woman than a man. For example, there are many more female HR employees than males.

5 advantage - emotionality

Women feel people. Marketing of the new time is the impact on emotions. It is thanks to their emotionality that women are able to establish trusting relationships not only with employees, but also with clients.

This helps her to make useful contacts, establish long-term and trusting relationships, and increase sales. Natural curiosity helps women to be interested in many things, and sociability helps to exchange information.

6 advantage - intuition

Women have developed intuition. What helps to quickly build a strategy and define goals in a difficult moment or in conditions of lack of information. Men rely on rules and logic. H On the basis of their logic, women quickly find a shortcut between a problem and a solution.

7 advantage - scrupulousness

Women are scrupulous. Yes, women are used to cramming and working, to hone every little thing. And although there is no male scope, globalism, it is scrupulousness that helps women to always be afloat.

Women's strategy to move step by step, preserving what is available, rechecking - they do not give a quick take-off, but they protect what has been created and available. The combination of sensitivity and "accounting" attention to detail, the ability to "enter confidence" make women's business sustainable.

8 advantage - empathy

Women are able to empathize with the feelings of other people. They know how to capture the state of people. They are able to read the needs of other people and offer solutions or look together for ways, methods to change the situation. Such qualities are very important in the areas of serving the needs of people, in trade, marketing.

9 advantage - learning

Women love and can learn easily admit what they do not know. They are happy to attend educational programs, trainings, courses.

Increasing the level of knowledge provides self-confidence, but besides this, there are still like-minded people. By the way, women are happy to join trade unions, clubs and are ready to share their experience and knowledge with others.

10 advantage - punctuality.

Women are more punctual than men. This is manifested in their relationship to finance, with tax, banks and investment companies. This gives a number of advantages and confidence, if necessary, to apply to such structures.

Reduces the number of fines and losses in business. By the way, women are less likely to be late for meetings and negotiations. They rarely experience emergencies, documents disappear, and other events.

Conclusion on how a woman can achieve success in business

Yes, in business there is a place for a woman to apply her purely feminine qualities. Let's remember that creativity, inspiration, intuition are all feminine qualities, energies.

What is important for a woman to remember is about more earthly energies, to ground herself in order to give a result. And then there will be more confidence, stability and concentration.

As you can see, you women have enough qualities that you can use in business. Boldly discover your potential, invest it in your business, without looking back at the opinions of others.

10 books about inspiration, business success and life lessons from the most famous business women - from Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington to Mary Kay.

In contact with

Odnoklassniki

These books, in which successful women share their career stories and give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, will be a source of inspiration for all women, and even better - success.

Follow Sandberg's impassioned message to women: “Break through! Fight! Fight! Rush forward!

Sheryl Sandburg Dare to Take Action: Woman, Work, and the Will to Lead

Publisher:"Alpina-Publisher", Moscow, 2014

The main reason for the crazy success of Sheryl Sandberg's book, which calls on all women to actively fight for their business rights, is, of course, not in career advice for women starting their careers.

"Don't Be Afraid to Act" is, first of all, the story of the epiphany of the heroine herself, her own coming out, her way to the recognition that even successful women do not get what men get.

They are less listened to, they are paid less, they are less likely to be promoted, and so on. Well, those few who are lucky enough to make a career and achieve high positions try to become their own in the male world and prefer not to talk about injustice against women or not notice it at all.

The situation seems so familiar - and not only in America, but even more so in Russia with its boyish code, where the most violent opponents of feminism are sitting on leadership positions and in the highest echelons of power.

The only way to change this, according to Sandberg, is to abandon the eternal role of the second plan, and begin to act on her own. Be bold, loud, active, because the main reason for the success of men most often turns out to be that they are louder, more active and fearless.

All this is said by a man who really achieved everything - about Sandberg's career success, executive director and a member of the board of directors of Facebook, most men can't even dream of.

Main lesson: In order to succeed in life, you need to work on this from the school bench - stretch your hand above everyone in the lesson, sit closer to the leader at conferences, not be afraid to ask for an increase in salary, and not be afraid at all, because it is fear that makes a woman helpless.

Quote:“Ask a man to explain how he achieved success, and he will most likely begin to talk about his own talents and skills. Ask the same question to a woman and she will probably attribute her success to external factors, claiming that she owes her luck to the fact that she "tried very hard", "she was lucky" or "she was helped."

Mary Kay Ash "The Road to Success"

Publisher:"Mann, Ivanov and Ferber", Moscow, 2009

This book was translated in Russia relatively recently - on a new wave of its success in America. In the 60s, it was such a business fairy tale with a happy ending: management pampers employees, employees, in turn, pamper customers, and above all this, like a kind mother, stands Mary Kay herself and invents cosmetics.

And until now, new employees of the company receive this book as a gift to be inspired that they can do anything. And many are really inspired. But in the 2000s, Mary Kay's optimistic and carefree book received a new reading.

On the new wave of feminism, she really became a book about a woman who could - her husband left, raised three children, they didn’t give a raise, because the woman, and she retired and already built an entire empire there. And we are no longer so interested in how she did it, it is more important to know - in spite of what. This is a new take on a classic.

Main lesson: One of the first women's success stories with the moral "the lower you fall, the higher the rise." It is important not only that she herself was able, but also that she promised millions of women around the world that they, too, would succeed - and they did.

Quote:“The world of business is the world of men. And the most obvious proof of that is on the dollar bills in your wallet.”

Sofia Amoruso "#GIRLBOSS"

Release year: 2014

And this is the same Sheryl Sandberg, only for girls - or rather, for bad girls, which does not interfere with her deafening American popularity.

And if other directors read the book of the CEO of Facebook with the greatest pleasure, then Sophia Amuroso, founder of the online clothing store Nasty Gal, writes for everyone else: those who did not graduate from Harvard did not get influential mentors and generally flew past the beaten track that leads in the administration of presidents and boards of directors of large companies.

Sophia, a patented loser by all accounts, started her business by selling stolen books on Ebay, then moved into vintage dresses, neatly pinning wishes of good luck to buyers on each item sold - and now she has a company worth more than $ 100 million.

And, in general, Sofia’s main commandment sounds like this: everything is laid in you to succeed, as long as you, with a healthy share of cheerful gouging, turn into an iron business woman, then into an office fifa, then into a friendly the owner of a small shop, you believe in yourself and do not give up.

Until the book is translated into Russian, it can only be read in the original.

Main lesson: In order to achieve success, it is not at all necessary to pretend to be someone - you can be a fun punk, and still turn millions.

Quote:"Don't grow up, don't be a bore, and never let a man get you!"

Arianna Huffington "Thrive"

Release year: 2014

Arianna Huffington is, perhaps, one of the main names in modern journalism today, no matter how contempt we treat news aggregators and other blogs.

Huffington also did not want to be taken seriously for a long time, but simple idea luring celebrities to the Internet brought her a name, a fortune, and a Forbes cover.

However, the book by the creator of the Huffington Post is remarkable not so much as a success story, but as a call to treat success differently. Her own story begins with fainting from overwork and the realization of the need to start living differently.

Instead of sleepless nights, burning out at work, chasing salaries - meditation, sleep, proper nutrition and a call to sometimes disconnect from the smartphone. In other words, success does not always necessarily mean internal combustion, you can live correctly and calmly and still keep your line on the lists of millionaires.

Such insights from a woman whose career is already nowhere better can be slightly annoying, because she already has nowhere to strive. But think for yourself - it was this, the fourteenth, Huffington's book that in order to be successful in the race you can sometimes get out of it, became her main bestseller.

In the end, the idea of ​​“a healthy mind in a healthy body” in a world in which the more successful a person is, the more tightly he sits on antidepressants, seems more than relevant.

Main idea: A healthy spirit of entrepreneurship is found only in a healthy body.

Quote:“We mistakenly believe that success depends on the amount of time invested in it, while the quality of this time is actually much more important.”

Martha Stewart "The Martha Rules"

Release year: 2005

Since a woman who has earned her own labor more money than Martha Stewart, it's hard to imagine, it would be nice to listen to her advice.

The very biography of Martha Stewart could teach us a lot - a woman who amassed an entire empire simply by portraying a happy housewife.

Today, the name of Martha Stewart has become a household name for everything that traditional female values ​​seem to us - a pretty house, a well-kept house, a fresh pie on the table and flowers-flowers-flowers.

It's not so much the devotion of Americans to Martha Stewart that's amazing, but the latter's ability to capitalize on everything she touches, earning millions and millions from gardening books, household items and cooking shows and websites.

In 2004, Martha Stewart was imprisoned for six months for foul play on stock exchange. What did not stop her from turning the prison experience in her favor: she made a revolution in the prison cafeteria, started an affair with a security guard, and right after she left, she wrote the book “Martha's Rules”, the title of which can also be read as a confession of her own inflexibility - “Martha rules!”.

Inside - not autobiographical revelations, but very specific advice on how to manage own business. How to write a business plan, how to communicate with partners, how to recruit a team, and how to succeed doing only what you have a soul for.

Main lesson: There is no such situation from which a smart woman could not profit.

Quote:"Never accept what is offered to you if you feel it could be improved."

Irina Khakamada “Tao of life. Master class from a convinced individualist»

Publisher:"Alpina Publishers", Moscow, 2011U

Irina Khakamada has a funny way of methodically confirming each of her statements with a list of several points: “the first, second, sixth ... - and the last”, and then five more sub-points.

In general, this text, in which there are almost more aphorisms than words, could use a good editor. Then behind the author's sayings, famously mixed with popular philosophy, oriental wisdom, glossy words that littered our 90s and self-help mixed with advice on how to arrange women's happiness, I would have stood up real story Irina Khakamada herself about how from an ugly duckling she turned into a successful beautiful woman.

In the meantime, this plot line remains practically between the lines, and it is the most interesting thing here. And yet, Khakamada is an impressive example of success, and most importantly, very Russian.

Although she did not succeed in rebuilding the entire fatherland, and it is completely impossible to represent her in modern politics, she created herself and is now receiving excellent dividends from herself. It's funny, but I want to note her books precisely for this - how through them that image of a successful woman is recreated, at the same time smart and a little fifa, which is very much appreciated precisely (and only) in Russia.

Main lesson: In Russia, there is no - or no longer - such a thing as a successful woman politician. So the books of Irina Khakamada fill in an important gap, showing us what a real self-made woman at the heights of power could be like. The main success of the author lies precisely in the fact that, having abandoned the heights, she does not cease to be a heroine.

Quote:"The main thing is to be happy, not the first under any circumstances."

Betty Holbreich "I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist"

Release year: 2014

But the heroine, whose sense of style and sharpness of the word is hard not to envy. Despite the fact that Betty Holbreich has already changed her ninth decade, she remains one of the main authorities in fashion matters in her Manhattan.

Moreover, this outstanding woman worked all her career in the same place, without promotion - as a personal stylist in the legendary Bergdoff department store.

This is a profession that Holbreich practically invented, and there is still no one in the world who knows how to dress women better than she does. In her book, Holbreich tells how she got to the Bergdoff almost straight from a psychiatric hospital.

A girl from a wealthy Chicago family, whose friends were replaced by dresses and beautiful things from childhood, she lived in a cocoon until the age of fifty, raising children and obeying her husband, until the children grew up and her husband turned into an alcoholic.

And fifty-year-old Betsy, who had never worked in her life, went to the Bergdoff department store, where she specially invented the role of a personal stylist for herself, because she could not cope with cash register and failed to become a saleswoman.

Goldbreich, however, is worth reading not only to make sure that age is not a hindrance to business - it is a fascinating, inspiring read about the role of clothing in a woman's life, about the shortcomings that we are trying to hide, and the virtues that we ourselves do not notice.

Main lesson: It doesn’t matter how old you are and what you can do - Betty Holbreich was almost fifty and she didn’t know anything at all, but this did not stop her from becoming almost the most famous stylist in the world.

Quote:“Young women today dedicate so much to staying in shape that they hardly ever get out of their tracksuits.

It doesn't leave much room for the imagination. In my day, when traveling by plane, we made sure to wear a suit, gloves, and a hat. And the last time I was at the airport, I almost mistook it for a fitness center.”

Alexandra Vilkis and Alexis Maybank "By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop"

Release year: 2012

Perhaps you have never been to America and have never heard of Gilt Groupe, so you can check the box next to a business idea that has not yet been implemented in Russia.

In short, the formula for the success of this online store comes down to three seemingly incompatible words: fast, cheap and exclusive. Gilt is a virtual sales service that can only be accessed by personal invitation.

Here they sell things famous brands at stock prices, but at the same time positioning itself not as a flea market, but as an elite club. The business is valued at over a billion dollars. All this is the merit of two girlfriends who came up with it, graduates of Harvard.

And they generously share advice for future startups, and very practical advice, especially on how friendship can become the main business asset. Two friends: one punctual and organized, the other impulsive and creative, came together like ice and fire, and the key to their success is precisely the ability to stop and listen to each other.

Main lesson: Sometimes the right business education really helps build a million dollar company out of nothing. Or a billion.

Quote:“The great human dream of seeing something you create grow into something immeasurably greater… proves that amazing things happen when you team up with the right people, not afraid of risks and ready to act.

Pamela Skaist-Levi and Gela Nash-Taylor "The Glitter Plan: How We Started Juicy Couture for $200 and Turned It into a Global Brand"

Release year: 2014

The founding story of Juicy Couture as told by founders Pamela Skaist-Levi and Gela Nash-Taylor. The two models, who couldn't find clothes they liked, scraped together $200 in seed money and vowed to each other never to do anything they didn't have a heart for.

Thus were born velor tracksuits, suitcases embroidered with rhinestones, perfume for dogs and a stamp worth half a million dollars.

Like the brand itself, Pamela and Gela's book proves that even in business, sometimes it's worth trusting feelings rather than reason: their rapid onslaught - without any business plan, but with sending gifts to Hollywood superstars and the certainty that people like them , no more.

Main lesson: Not everyone succeeds in doing business like rock stars - without any plan, on a whim, following a feeling, not the lessons of the Harvard school. But sometimes it works, and when it works, it works just fine.

Quote:“It was important for us to hear the opinion of our employees about the collection - how it sits, how it feels, what kind of energy it has. Everyone tried on everything - that was our corporate policy.

We knew it would be a hit if everyone, from the most stylish to the most conservative girl in the office, started going crazy for it."

Zarina Ivanter " kids club: how to open and make profitable»

Publisher:"Mann, Ivanov and Farber", M., 2012

This is more of a very detailed primer than a classic success story. But with answers to all Russian questions, such as legal nuances, rules for communicating with Sanepidemnadzor, details of the operation of word of mouth, and even a separate chapter about the need for paper toilet seats.

The story of Zarina Ivanter's transformation from an Expert journalist and mother on maternity leave to the hostess of a club for developing children's activities is probably one of the most inspiring stories for those who are not yet in business, but really want to be in it.

It is not about the formula for success that allows you to instantly fly into the queen of the world, but about that everyday hard work that only seems tedious at first, but in the end turns into good dividends.

Main lesson: Features of running a small business in Russian conditions It will be hard, but not for long.

Quote:“Give diplomas, medals, gilded goblets and laurel wreaths more often. This will be a good reason for your parents to tell everyone they know about you.”

Before you start talking about women's business success, you need to understand that women can achieve their triumph in different ways. After all, there are quite a lot of women entrepreneurs in the world who are the owners of companies, enterprises, brands. However, is it possible to compare the success of women who have their own business thanks to rich husbands or parents, and the success of women who have achieved everything on their own? Of course not.

Therefore, today we will consider the success stories of those women who started their business from scratch, who became who they are only thanks to their aspirations, the desire to constantly improve and never stop there.

Since ancient history, 2 types of women have been distinguished - domestic and active. If the former agree to sit at home and wait for her husband to come home from work, but for the latter, vigorous activity and self-realization in any area are simply necessary. The success stories of each business woman are different, but there is something that unites all these women. Perseverance and diligence are the qualities that are inherent in every woman who has achieved heights in her business.

No matter how a woman starts her business – either alone initially, or in partnership with others – she is always forced to prove to others her right to make decisions independently and have her own opinion.

Millions of women in different years, V different countries tried to start their own business. However, only a few have achieved real success. These are those whom the whole world knows now, who are looked up to and set as an example as strong and stubborn women.

The success of a woman in business is determined, first of all, by devotion to her work and real interest in it. Women in business have a mission. If for a man business is often just a way to make money, then for a woman it is the work of her whole life.

Success stories of women in business

Society is used to imposing on us the opinion that women are the weaker sex and they definitely need a strong shoulder nearby, a kind of “crutch” on which they could rely. The notion is also being actively promoted that it is allegedly more difficult for girls to achieve something in life than for men. However, there are examples of women who managed to cope with the incredible and cruel blows of fate, which not even every man could deal with and eventually emerge victorious. These girls are real warriors with colossal willpower, strong character and amazing determination. We invite you to look at them and be inspired by the stories of the "iron ladies".

1. Cody Hall. Underwent 18 surgeries, then trained herself as a surgeon

A girl from the UK, who was born with a complex facial deformity. None of the doctors wanted to take on the baby, but Cody's mom and dad did not give up and organized a charity fundraiser to help their daughter get rid of the disease. Baby at the age of one went to the United States and experienced the first surgical intervention.

When Cody turned 14, the number of surgeries carried out reached an incredible mark - 18 times she went to the surgeons! But, despite all the difficulties, she tried to live like all people: she went to school and got good grades. It was not easy for the girl to communicate with her peers, but she did not allow the slightest manifestations of pity or ridicule in her address.

Today, Cody Hall married a guy she fell in love with when she was a schoolgirl and works in the surgery department, helping people like her once. The girl was able to overcome her fears and to this day inspires many patients to win the fight against the disease.

2. Malala Yusufzai. Became a pioneering human rights activist who achieved permission for women's education in Islamic states

Malala is a real heroine and inspiration for a huge number of girls around the world. The girl became famous after she began to publish biting posts on her personal blog, when the Pakistani authorities signed a decree banning women's education.

Malala's opinion caused a wide resonance in society, because of which the girl endured threats from haters in her homeland, and even survived an attempt on her life, being seriously injured and falling into a coma.

At the age of 20, Malala achieved great success, and all thanks to her strong character and willpower: she is educated at Oxford, and helps the rest of the girls to study. The heroine was awarded the Nobel Prize, initiated the opening of a school for refugees from Syria and published a book under the bright and short title "I am Malala."

3. Mikayla Holmgren. World's first woman with Down syndrome to become a Miss USA finalist

The girl became the winner of the Miss Amazing contest, organized for girls with disabilities. Mikayla went further and took part in the Miss Minnesota, and then made her debut as the first participant with Down syndrome in the popular Miss USA beauty pageant.

Mikayla is actively involved in charity events, doing gymnastics and dancing, and also receives an education. The girl became an example for other people with the same diagnosis and once again proves that nothing is impossible in life.

4. Sarah Moore. Cares for the elderly residents of the island, working at 9 jobs

Once upon a time, the girl decided to leave the big city and refused all the benefits and advantages of such a life. She settled on a small Scottish island, the population of which is predominantly elderly people who cannot handle hard work.

Sarah began to work at once in 9 places at the same time: air traffic controller, guardian, postman, fire rescuer, shepherd, island council clerk, luggage warehouse aircraft, excavator farms, a guide at the island's only lighthouse.

The girl does not at all regret the radical change in her lifestyle, she admits that she has made new friends and no longer faces a feeling of loneliness, and the inhabitants of the island love her for her love of life, courage and good heart. Everyday hellish work and the apparent lack of quality prospects do not prevent her from feeling happy and needed.

5. Bethany Hamilton. Lost her arm to a shark, but made it to the sport of surfing

A 13-year-old girl was attacked by a tiger shark and bit off her left hand. But Bethany did not consider herself a victim and, overcoming her fear and sense of hopelessness, still continued to learn to surf.

Now Hamilton is a happy wife and mother and still doing what she loves. She took 2nd place at the World Championships, and based on her life, a book was released and a film was made.

6. Liz Murray. Former street waif achieves academic success after graduating from Harvard

The girl grew up in a dysfunctional family: drug addict parents constantly beat her, she had to endure endless quarrels and beatings. Over time, Liz became ashamed of this situation and dropped out of school, contacting street hooligans. At the age of 15, the girl wandered the streets and found lodging for the night with her seriously ill mother only on the benches of the city.

It seems that the story should have ended sadly, but Liz pulled herself together and successfully completed school, and then Harvard. Despite the fact that her father once kicked her out of the house, she courted and cared for him, forgetting about her grievances.

Today, Liz works as a talented speaker and writer. The girl returns people's faith in themselves and shows by her own example that there are absolutely no obstacles in life on the path to happiness.