Customer Reviews

Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)

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Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream: How One Woman Changed The Face Of Modern Business is the fascinating, meticulously researched, superbly presented biography of the woman who invented the business franchise. Yet her inventive contribution was lost to American business history until Jane Plitt (business owner, labor arbitrator, social justice advocate, and visiting scholar at the University of Rochester) discovered through original research what a remarkable contribution Martha Matilda Harper had made to the contemporary face of American-style free enterprise. Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream is enthusiastically recommended reading and an essential addition to Women's Studies and American Business History reading lists and library collections.

A well-written and well-deserved biography about a previously obscure
female entrepreneur and humanitarian who overcame her own impoverished
background and helped other women do the same. Although recognition
of Martha Matilda Harper's accompliishments are overdue, she was a
person ahead of her time-- she introduced the first franchise idea in
America. [Ms. Plitt's] excellent (and very readable) book broadens
the perspective of American history by identifying this dynamic
American business woman.

Thanks, Jane R. Plitt, for bringing Martha
Matilda Harper to our attention.

This is a great book about one of the first, if not THE first, woman to open a public beauty salon (in the 1890's when people did their hair at home). Harper manufactured and distributed hair and skin care products; she trained women to open their own shops under the Harper name. According to the book her products preceded those of the familiar cosmetic names of today. Her business ethics were to help others, share the wealth, the Golden Rule, deal with others honestly and fairly. This, and hard work paid off! This story would make a great rags-to-riches movie!

This is a fascinating and engrossing story about a woman who, while world famous in her lifetime, had been forgotten by history until the author, Jane Plitt, retold her history. How Martha Matilda Harper, an indentured servant from age seven, found a way to create a business for herself and then for others who came from similar backrounds, is a story of personal striving combined with brilliant business strategy to provide excellent customer care at the same time as it enabled shared business ownership and success. Not only does the book restore a major American achiever to her rightful place in history, but it is a great read as well. You don't have to care about history to love it (although you will after you've read it); Martha's rags to riches saga is a real page turner.

A great story and an easy read. This fascinating woman pushed out all the boundaries that held her back.
Martha made a huge and lasting impact on the world. Everyone should know her story.

If you are interested in the history and birth of modern-day franchising, this is the book for you. Martha Harper was a domestic employee who had vision and organizational ability. She started her hair care business at a time when most women took care of their own tresses at home. Then she parlayed her business model to build the first franchise brand in this country. This well-written book captures Martha Harper's life and business success with an easy and intimate style.

This is a wonderful historical story of a women who made a difference in not only her future, but other future business leaders. Inspirational reading for anyone who belives women have and will continue to be a driving force in creative business models.