Against All Odds: Ten Entrepreneurs Who Followed Their Hearts and Found Success (Black Enterprise) [Hardcover]

Wendy Beech (Author)

Book Description

Series: Black Enterprise | Publication Date: January 26, 2001

Learn and be inspired by the fascinating true stories behind 10 leading lights in black enterprise today . . .
* While she won't share the formulas for her world-renowned hot sauces, Vivian Gibson, CEO of The MillCreek Company, is glad to impart her recipe for transforming a passion for cooking into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
* He went from sleeping in Central Park to heading a major film production and syndication company. Get the details on how Frank Mercado-Valdes's love of classic black films led to the creation of the African Heritage Network.
* At only 34 years old, Alonzo Washington is head of his own comic book publishing empire. Find out how this committed political activist used his genius for cartooning to promote minority causes and make a fortune doing it.


Discover the compelling true stories of how these and seven other African-American men and women beat the odds to become some of today's most successful black entrepreneurs.In a series of intimate profiles, journalist/author Wendy Harris details the paths they traveled, the obstacles they overcame, and the important lessons they learned along the way about what it takes to succeed in business.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Black Enterprise

The statistics on African-American businesses in this country are encouraging: there are now close to a million black-owned firms across America that employ nearly 600,000 people–and the number is rapidly rising. But as positive as those figures may be, they are still only numbers. Statistics can’t inspire you to overcome a fear of the unknown. They won’t help you find the drive and ambition, the courage and persistence, and the fire in the belly you need to strike out on your own and realize your dreams of starting your own business. And they certainly cannot offer practical advice on how to transform your passion into success and financial freedom.

For that, you need to see firsthand what is possible; you need to hear from those who know just what it takes to come from behind, face the competition, and win the race. And you’ll learn it all here, through the real-life success stories you’ll find only in Against All Odds. This thought-provoking book shares the motivational experiences of ten African-American entrepreneurs who overcame overwhelming obstacles to make their fortunes in the businesses of their choice.

These superbly crafted profiles provide uniquely intimate accounts of the challenges and triumphs experienced by such well-known business leaders as: Herbert and Sylvia Woods, the husband-and-wife team who turned a tiny Harlem luncheonette into a multimillion-dollar food empire; sister CEOs Renée Warren and Kirsten Poe, who began their internationally renowned public relations firm, Noelle-Elaine Media Consultants, in a New York City studio apartment; and Frank Mercado-Valdes, a rags-to-riches mogul who went from sleeping in Central Park to living in Trump Plaza by turning his love of vintage black films into the African Heritage Network. You’ll also find inspiration in the stories of important up-and-comers in a range of industries including comic book publishing, hospitality, food production, and more.

In writing Against All Odds, author Wendy Harris traveled around the United States, spending extensive one-on-one time with each person profiled and listening closely to what they had to say. Applying her considerable journalistic skills, Harris vividly captures the unique essence of each entrepreneur, while concisely chronicling the twists and turns each experienced on his or her road to success. And, throughout each chapter, she highlights powerful lessons each has learned along the way–as told in his or her own words.

Each profile featured in Against All Odds is a gem that you will want to return to again and again for fresh insights and ideas. The stories of the women and men profiled in Against All Odds have the power to inspire and educate aspiring entrepreneurs of every ethnic background.

From the Back Cover

Learn and be inspired by the fascinating true stories behind 10 leading lights in black enterprise today . . .

• While she won’t share the formulas for her world-renowned hot sauces, Vivian Gibson, CEO of The MillCreek Company, is glad to impart her recipe for transforming a passion for cooking into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
• He went from sleeping in Central Park to heading a major film production and syndication company. Get the details on how Frank Mercado-Valdes’s love of classic black films led to the creation of the African Heritage Network.
• At only 34 years old, Alonzo Washington is head of his own comic book publishing empire. Find out how this committed political activist used his genius for cartooning to promote minority causes and make a fortune doing it.

Discover the compelling true stories of how these and seven other African-American men and women beat the odds to become some of today’s most successful black entrepreneurs.In a series of intimate profiles, journalist/author Wendy Harris details the paths they traveled, the obstacles they overcame, and the important lessons they learned along the way about what it takes to succeed in business.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471374725
• ISBN-13: 978-0471374725
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,256,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STRONG BOOK OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, January 9, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Against All Odds: Ten Entrepreneurs Who Followed Their Hearts and Found Success (Black Enterprise) (Hardcover)

This book really captured the trials and trumphs it take to be a strong entrepreneur. Each entreprener was challenged to compete with the big boys of their industries and did it with grace and style. They discussed ways of securing capital, finding qualified employees who could embrace their vision and help them take their operations to the next level. Each entrepreneur showed that he had the drive, passion, creative genius, and perseverance to pursue and achieve the American Dream.