Born Florence Nightingale Graham, Elizabeth Arden changed her name in a rebranding effort after a failed business partnership with Elizabeth Hubbard. She borrowed her former associate’s first name and Arden comes from a Tennyson’s poem “Enoch Arden.” The new Elizabeth Arden added a huge red door with a brass name place, which became her trademark, to the shop on Fifth Avenue. She also pushed her message, “Hold fast to life and youth,” in a vigorous advertising campaign. Arden’s other love was horseracing. She established Maine Chance Stables and in 1945 her horses earned her $589,000, and in 1947 her horse Jet Pilot won the … [Read more...]
Wisdom of Life Profile: Helena Rubinstein, Pioneer of Modern Beauty Industry
February 29, 2012 by
Helena Rubinstein had a stunning multimillion dollar collection of jewelry which included pieces that once belonged to Empress Catherine of Russia. In 1964, the year before her death, when she was over 90 years old, burglars entered her Manhattan apartment and demanded her jewelry collection. Though she was tied to a chair, and her servants were bound and gagged, she refused to reveal the location of the key for her safe and the burglars left with $200 cash feeling very unnerved by the incident. Rubinstein was also a contradiction, she wore nightgowns that cost $4.99 yet she wore very expensive jewelry. Name: Helena … [Read more...]
Black History Month – Madam C J Walker, Operated the Largest Black-Owned Business in the Early Twentieth Century
February 1, 2012 by
This month is Black History Month and we will start off with Madam C J Walker, and follow up with other profiles of people who contributed to black history. “Surely you are not going to shut the door in my face. I have been trying to tell you what I am doing. I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. I was promoted from there to the washtub. Then I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. I know how to grow hair as well as I know how to grow cotton. I have built my own factory on my own ground.” Madam C J Walker at Booker T … [Read more...]
The Invisible Mentor Interviews Delane Cooper, Goldsmith and Jewelry Designer Part Two
April 15, 2011 by
Interviewee Name: Delane Cooper, Goldsmith Company Name: Delane Website: http://www.delane.ca Avil Beckford: Tell me a little bit about yourself. Delane Cooper: I am a goldsmith and jewellery designer. I used to be in technology for a couple of decades helping build datacentres. I started off in California, lived in New York, got married and moved here to Toronto. Avil Beckford: What are five life lessons that you have learned so far? Delane Cooper: Have a focus. Just do it. Find meaning. Think differently. Stay on target. Avil Beckford: When you have some down time, how do you spend it? Delane Cooper: … [Read more...]
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