I enjoy studying the lives of self-made successful women in business. There are many lessons we can learn from the women who came before us. One such successful entrepreneur is Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop.
This is the story of a determined woman who took her passion and turned it into a multi-million dollar business and became a role model to millions of women around the world.
“I want to work for a company that contributes to and is part of the community. I want something not to just invest in. I want something to believe in.” Anita Roddick, 1942-2007
A common thread among many self-made successful businesswomen is the fact they want to change the world for the better. Self-made women have a desire to give back and make a difference. Anita Roddick was one of these special women.
Anita Perilli was born in 1942 to Italian immigrants in a bomb shelter in Littlehampton, England. Her mother Gilda owned a small café in town and it was there she learned about recycling. Little did she know what an impact this environmentally friendly and cost effective habit would have on her career and her “mission in life.”
As a young woman, Anita traveled the “hippie trail” learning the habits and life styles of many different cultures. This training would come in handy for opening her new business, The Body Shop. After marrying Gordon Roddick, with two young girls and on a small budget, in 1976 she decided to open an environmentally conscious and natural cosmetic store. Her new company was the first to prohibit animal tested ingredients in any products.
Her first shop carried fifteen natural skin care products, all of which were developed and stored in her garage. She used packaging made of low cost and recyclable plastic.
Anita and Gordon Roddick are often credited with “inventing” the idea of franchising. Most of The Body Shop franchises were and are currently owned by women.
The Body Shop was sold to L’Oreal in 2006 and Anita’s profit was reported to be somewhere around $237 million. When asked how she could sell her stores to a company who at the time still animal tested, she said she was sure she could make a difference in changing their animal testing policy.
What separated Anita Roddick from others in her field? She had a relentless desire to change the world for the better. As a powerful activist she led the fight for fair trade with third world countries. She was also a tireless volunteer for ethical and green consumerism, a champion for children in Eastern Europe and Asia, and a proponent for “moral leadership.”
To this day, The Body Shop believes in “Made With Passion.” The five core values designed by Anita Roddick still govern the company: Against animal testing; Community trade around the world; Activate self-esteem; Defend human rights; and Protect our planet. The Body Shop charities and foundations are changing the world.
In 2004 Anita was diagnosed with hepatitis C from what she believes were transfusions received while delivering her second daughter. She campaigned for increased awareness of the disease that brought her death at age 64 in September of 2007.
What are the success lessons? Use your wealth to make a difference in the world. Anita Roddick was a pioneer and crusader who thought out of the box and wasn’t afraid to take a risk. Her passion and belief for saving the environment and helping others turned into a movement adopted by millions. Her principles drove her business ethics. She became a self-made wealthy role model for thousands of women by staying true to her passion, ethics and core beliefs.
“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.” Anita Roddick
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Here is a direct link to Amazon.com where you can read more about this book and purchase it online: Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond
Here is a link to the Kindle version: Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond
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