In recognition of Black History Month, Entrepreneur has compiled a list of the most iconic black entrepreneurs in history and dubbed it 'The Soul of Small Business'.
1. Oprah Winfrey (this should have been blatantly obvious)
Her story is incredible, her beginnings meager and her success unprecedented. Oprah reinvented daytime TV and transformed her personality into a brand with sheer innovation.
2. Berry Gordy
Gordy transcended racial lines of jazz, R&B and soul music when he developed the interracial 'Motown Sound' later leading him to found the iconic Motown Records.
3. Madam CJ Walker
The daughter of slaves and no stranger to personal tragedy, Walker developed her own product (a scalp conditioning/healing formula) and became the first female, self-made millionaire in the U.S.
4. John Johnson
The founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, Johnson provided African Americans with their own mainstream media outlets.
5. Cat
hy Hughes
Hughes developed and grew Radio One to the tune of 65 stations after being denied financing by 32 banks.
6. Russell Simmons
Simmons is an icon and attributed with making hip hop an acceptable and often applauded part of America's mainstream pop culture.
7. Magic Johnson
Yep, he's a basketball star. But he's also a smart investor. He's developed movie theaters, restaurants and coffee shops in urban areas in an attempt to revitalize their neighborhoods.
8. Tyra Banks
Beautiful to look at and smart too. Banks has become a media mogul, developing wildly successful TV shows, dabbling in music and movies and creating camps to teach young girls self-worth.
Here's what to take away from their examples.
Oprah is a marketing machine and it's all based on who she is, inserting bits of yourself or your personality into your company's marketing communication strategy or marketing strategy plan may give you that slight edge.
Both Walker and Johnson created something brand new. Innovation will help you lead the way in your industry accompanied by a product development business plan.
Cathy Hughes struggled to secure bank financing and won the battle. It's not an easy process but you only need one yes.
Venture capital is alive and well (and it can do good!), we know this thanks to Magic.
As for Tyra and Russell Simmons, they welcomed new technologies and adopted advancements in the media to launch their brands.
The best place to learn can often be the past.
1. Oprah Winfrey (this should have been blatantly obvious)
Her story is incredible, her beginnings meager and her success unprecedented. Oprah reinvented daytime TV and transformed her personality into a brand with sheer innovation.
2. Berry Gordy
Gordy transcended racial lines of jazz, R&B and soul music when he developed the interracial 'Motown Sound' later leading him to found the iconic Motown Records.
3. Madam CJ Walker
The daughter of slaves and no stranger to personal tragedy, Walker developed her own product (a scalp conditioning/healing formula) and became the first female, self-made millionaire in the U.S.
4. John Johnson
The founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, Johnson provided African Americans with their own mainstream media outlets.
5. Cat
hy HughesHughes developed and grew Radio One to the tune of 65 stations after being denied financing by 32 banks.
6. Russell Simmons
Simmons is an icon and attributed with making hip hop an acceptable and often applauded part of America's mainstream pop culture.
7. Magic Johnson
Yep, he's a basketball star. But he's also a smart investor. He's developed movie theaters, restaurants and coffee shops in urban areas in an attempt to revitalize their neighborhoods.
8. Tyra Banks
Beautiful to look at and smart too. Banks has become a media mogul, developing wildly successful TV shows, dabbling in music and movies and creating camps to teach young girls self-worth.
Here's what to take away from their examples.
Oprah is a marketing machine and it's all based on who she is, inserting bits of yourself or your personality into your company's marketing communication strategy or marketing strategy plan may give you that slight edge.
Both Walker and Johnson created something brand new. Innovation will help you lead the way in your industry accompanied by a product development business plan.
Cathy Hughes struggled to secure bank financing and won the battle. It's not an easy process but you only need one yes.
Venture capital is alive and well (and it can do good!), we know this thanks to Magic.
As for Tyra and Russell Simmons, they welcomed new technologies and adopted advancements in the media to launch their brands.
The best place to learn can often be the past.
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