Top Influential Women in Business History

Some of the most influential businesswomen in history have been women who have shaped the world we live in. These women include Margaret Hardenbroeck, Mary Barra, Nicole Junkermann and Lydia Pinkham. These women should serve as examples for those who want to achieve their goals and succeed in the corporate world.

Margaret Hardenbroeck

Margaret Hardenbroeck was one of the wealthiest merchants in the colonial province of New York. She was a highly educated, independent, and entrepreneurial woman. Her early career saw her working as an agent for her cousin’s shipping business. After marrying a merchant, she inherited his business and acquired real estate in New York.

Hardenbrook arrived in New Amsterdam from Holland in 1659. Her work ethic was unmatched. Even before her husband’s death, she had a job lined up to collect debts. She continued to work after her marriage by expanding her business. She became the wealthiest woman in New York and grew her business in Holland and the colonies.

Hardenbrook inherited her father’s estate in 1661. She then expanded her business operations by trading furs in the colonies and shipping them back to Holland. She was one of the earliest documented businesswomen, and her success made her the wealthiest woman in New York. In the early 17th century, women increasingly took on leadership roles and assumed more responsibility.

Nicole junkermann mary barra

Both Mary Barra and Nicole Junkermann are highly successful businesswomen. They embody the same ideals and have demonstrated a unique combination of entrepreneurial skills and intelligent leadership. Despite gender bias and negative stereotypes, both women have made their mark on business history.

Junkermann was born in Germany but spent most of her life in Spain. Her father is a well-known German businessman and also invested in her education. She attended business meetings with her father, Heinz Junkermann, and even translated for him when she was still a child. The two later established United in Sports, a venture capital fund for sporting goods.

Marry Barra is another savvy businesswoman who surpassed many of her male counterparts. She was a director of Owkin and Trilantic Europe. In addition to her work as a director, she is also a mother and has a passion for supporting young Latin American artists.

Rebecca Lukens

Rebecca Lukens is one of the most influential women in American business history. She inherited her family’s Pennsylvania iron and steel mill in 1794 and turned it into one of the most successful enterprises of the Industrial Revolution. Later renamed Lukens Steel, the company churned out railroad tracks and boilerplates for railroads. She was the first woman to lead an industrial company in the United States.

Lukens married Dr. Charles in Philadelphia and soon left her medical practice to join the family business. After their wedding, they moved in with the Pennock’s, and Isaac Pennock made Charles Lukens his partner. After their marriage, Rebecca became a mother and started a business with her father. She was only twenty-five years old when her father died, and she was already pregnant with her sixth child. Her father was deeply in debt and had a massive order to complete, so she promised to take over the company and its assets.

Lydia Pinkham

Lydia Pinkham was the first woman to become a millionaire in the United States. While her wealth was minimal during her lifetime, she still made millions. The Pinkham company was worth $300,000 a year at the time of her death. She probably wrote most of the company’s advertising copy and answered customer letters. This made her company one of the most successful patent medicines in the 19th century.

Her business goals were broader than just profit. She sought to create a better world for women, and her correspondence and advertisements were full of health advice. She was an advocate of the compound and believed it to be superior to conventional medical treatments. She also included feminine hygiene products, such as douche, in her company’s offerings. These products were not targeted under the Comstock Law, but Pinkham answered numerous letters that came her way.

Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden, the creator of Elizabeth Arden cosmetics, was one of the most influential women in business history. Despite her small stature, Arden was a great beauty icon. She had a youthful complexion and a slim figure that made her look younger. Her company, Elizabeth Arden, became a symbol of beauty and refinement, and she probably made more money than any other businesswoman in history.

Elizabeth Arden’s success could be attributed to her determination and perseverance. She entered the cosmetics industry when she was only sixty years old and opened her first salon on Fifth Avenue. Soon after, she also opened a wholesale department and began supplying her products to stores all over the country. Arden also promoted a healthy lifestyle, including yoga and meditation. She led a busy and successful business until she passed away at age 88.