Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream - by Jane R Plitt (Paperback)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p>Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream- How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business uncovers the buried story of how Harper created America's first retail franchise network, a radical new business model that encouraged women to own businesses, to enrich themselves spiritually and financially, and even to marry - all on their own terms. This biography captures the rags to riches true story of how a 19<sup>th</sup> century Canadian immigrant woman transforms her life and the lives of thousands of other poor women. The first 100 of her Harper shops went only to impoverished women. Harper, thereby, pioneered, modern franchising, social entrepreneurship and invented the reclining shampoo chair we use even today.</p><p>Born in Ontario, Canada, Harper struggled for twenty-five years as a servant to change her life and that of other working-class women. Bound out into servitude at age seven, Harper was determined to find an alternative to her fate.</p><p>In 1888, after immigrating to the United States, she pioneered the idea of a public hairdressing salon for women in Rochester, NY, based on health-conscious precepts. Within three years, both the social elite and suffragists enthusiastically embraced her concept across the country, including Susan B. Anthony, Mary Baker Eddy, Bertha Palmer and Mabel Alexander Graham Bell, wife of Alexander. Later British royalty, presidents of the U. S., the German Kaiser, George Bernard Shaw, </p><p>Danny Kaye, Helen Hayes, the Kennedy clan, would become loyal customers. At its peak, the Harper franchise network spanned the world.</p><p>Harper advocated practices that were progressive even by today's standards. She urged her franchisees to be accommodating to their customers and employees, to establish childcare centers in their shops, to use organic products, and to pursue principled endeavors. She fought an industry intent on encouraging the purchase of dangerous beauty aids and processes. Instead, Harper preached that people were naturally beautiful and her world-wide network of five hundred shops provided skin and scalp treatments to help release a customer's inner beauty. Her training schools assured skilled practitioners who followed her methods and her manufacturing centers delivered the required quality products.</p><p>Ultimately, at age sixty-three, Harper married a much younger man and it changed the operation of her business.</p><p>This book will be of interest to a general audience, business leaders, and historians with a special interest in women's accomplishments and movements, religious influences, and business breakthroughs.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p>Jane Plitt's remarkable book excavates and gracefully tells the unlikely and almost forgotten story of Martha Matilda Harper, a self-made woman and one of North America's most successful and innovative entrepreneurs. A colorful and groundbreaking character, Harper invented the hair salon, the reclining shampoo chair, and franchising as we know them, transforming both American business and the role of women in society. </p><p><strong><em>Donal O'Shea, Ph.D., President, New College of Florida</em></strong></p><p>Jane Plitt elegantly captures the challenges women faced in the male-dominated business world at the turn of the century. Martha Matilda Harper's story of entrepreneurship and tenacity resonates with today's young women and men about what can be possible.</p><p><strong><em>Soyeon Shim, Ph.D., Dean, School of Human Ecology, niversity of Wisconsin-Madison </em></strong></p><p>Well-written and intriguing, this book shows the importance of beauty in women's lives and how a woman can achieve the American Dream through talent, ambition, and hard work. A good read-and an important document in uncovering the forgotten history of women.</p><p><strong><em>Lois Banner, Ph. D., Author of American Beauty and In Full Flower: Aging, Women, Power and Sexuality.</em></strong></p><p>This is "Yes!" book for all those daring to dream and work hard. Harper applied such vision and leadership when she launched modern franchising worldwide to change the destinies of thousands of poor women like herself.</p><p><strong><em>Thomas Golisano, Founder and former CEO, Paychex, Inc.</em></strong></p><p>Martha Matilda Harper was possibly the first woman social entrepreneur. She was committed to providing excellent service and products for her clients as well as enabling poor women to have a path to economic independence. Her life and story are informative and inspiring. I recommend this book for all interested in social entrepreneurship and the impact they can have.</p><p><strong><em>Maryl Levine, Leadership Development Coach for Social Entrepreneurs</em></strong></p><p>Jane Plitt has given life to a story that might have remained hidden in time without her. Martha Matilda Harper's life is a story of immigration, a story of empowerment, and a story of an American Dream come true through women supporting women. Martha's innovation, leadership, natural marketing savvy, and new business model created an army of women entrepreneurs in a time when few would have thought it possible. Jane's thorough research and thoughtful writing brings Martha's truly amazing story to life! We are proud for the Rochester Museum and Science Center to be the repository and stewards of the Martha Matilda Harper archives.</p><p><strong><em>Hillary Olson, President and CEO, Rochester Museum & Science Center</em></strong></p><p>Martha Matilda Harper's journey offers valuable lessons about entrepreneurship and business ethics. Jane Plitt has uncovered and eloquently presented the inspiring story of a franchising pioneer. </p><p><strong><em>Steven B. Feirman, Partner, Nixon Peabody, LLP</em></strong></p><p>As a female entrepreneur, one who also knows persistence prevails, I found this story particularly motivating.</p><p><strong><em>Joanne Shaw, Former Chairman, International Franchising Association</em></strong></p><p> </p><br>
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