Who are your business heroes?
I was saddened this week to learn that Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, passed away just a couple of days ago at the age of 64.
I hadn’t thought of her in quite some time, other than buying some goodies at The Body Shop just last week. But when I heard of her death, I was surprisingly affected.
Anita Roddick is one of the reasons i’m in business for myself… her book Body and Soul was a HUGE inspiration to me after graduating from college back in the 90s. Her story of how she got started, along with her business sense and ideals, really expanded my concept of what business can be in the world. For example, her policy of ‘Trade not Aid’… rather than giving aid/money to people in less fortunate countries, she instead *employs* these people to create the products that she sells in her stores.
That example in itself speaks volumes to me, of how even a business that sells ‘cosmetics and such’ can be so much more than just a retailer… they can also provide an environment for others to create prosperity and happiness in their own lives. Very cool.
Which of course makes me pause here today… what am I doing in my business to affect the ‘world at large’? How can I take what I do already and create prosperity and opportunity for others? Not too sound too cheesy, but how can I make the world a better place? (k, thats a bit cheesy 
Something for me to ponder, as I look at some new directions here in my business and life.
Who inspires you in your business? And what can you do to celebrate what they have taught you? Feel free to share.
Hey, only a couple of days ago I was thinking what a shame it was that Anita Roddick had passed on and nobody seemed to think it was a big deal. The woman did so much, yet I have seen no tributes, articles, anything, so it was refreshing to see your comments and observations - this is my first visit, courtesy of Andy Wibbels book (UK reader).
Needless to say, I shall be back!
Kind regards
Tina,
No need to apologize for wanting to make the world a better place! Keep up the good work! I have the same aspiration, and I know we’re not alone in this. We’re talking Brie or Camembert here, not cheese from a can!
To your success,
Susan Cleaver
Creative Living Coach
Reiki Master
Collage Artist
Hi Tina,
I certainly support you in your efforts to affect the world in what you do! As a parent, I know it begins at home, with this tender new generation we are cultivating. In one way, that may just be enough. I look forward to reading more!
My business heroes include people like Ted Turner, who has not only made CNN extremely successful in over 200 countries but has also made AOL Time Warner the largest communication network in the world. Think about it, success in all these different countries requires an understanding of the cultures of these countries. Small wonder that he was named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1991 and Cable and Broadcasting’s Man of the Century in 1999. Another business hero is William Gates, better known as Bill Gates, whose enterpreneurship spans the entire world and whose foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is advancing development in many different countries of the world.