Think Big Celebrates Black History Month: Top 5 Black Entrepreneurs in History

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR
What better time to acknowledge famous black entrepreneurs than during Black History Month?  As a tribute to this month-long "holiday", we'd like to take a closer look at some of the most famous African American entrepreneurs of our time and how they made it big:

Chris Gardner

1.  Chris Gardner: As the keynote speaker of our first Think Big Kansas City conference, we look up to Chris Gardner because of his persistence, drive and entrepreneurial heart.  Chris Gardner was the inspiration for the movie The Pursuit of Happyness and dug himself out of the trenches of homelessness in the 1980s.  Although Gardner faced many challenges while in poverty, he rose above them all to become one of the most admired entrepreneurs, investors, motivational speakers and philanthropists today.

Oprah Winfrey

2.  Oprah Winfrey:  Oprah isn't just successful...she's also beyond powerful.  Much like Gardner, Oprah had to rise above a rough upbringing before hitting it big with Harpo Studios and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Oprah is one busy lady: from talk shows, to interviews, to magazines, to TV networks; this entrepreneur has her plate full.  Oprah has become so influential in people's lives, in fact, that the term "The Oprah Effect" has come to fruition, which refers to her opinions and endorsement to influence public opinion.

George Foreman

3.  George Foreman: From the boxing ring to the kitchen, this entrepreneur knows how to battle the competition.  Foreman earned his claim to fame in the professional heavy weight boxing ring, but also from the creation of The George Foreman Grill (also known as the Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine).  This appliance alone has earned George Foreman over $200 million dollars.  Now that's successful entrepreneurship!

Russell Simmons

4.  Russell Simmons:  Phat Farm, Baby Phat, Run Athletics, The Nutty Professor, Def Jams Records.  They all belong to hip hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons.  With so many successful ventures under his belt, Simmons has been identified as an American business magnate.

Magic Johnson

5. Magic Johnson:  Not many basketball players make more money off the court than they do on it.  But Magic Johnson is an exception to this trend.  Magic Johnson is the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company that has a portfolio with franchises such as AMC/Magic Johnson Movie Theaters, Burger King, Starbucks, TGI Fridays, 24 Hour Fitness and Washington Mutual Home Loan Centers.

What black entrepreneurs do you look up to during Black History Month?  Comment below to let us know and happy Black History Month from all of us at Think Big Partners!





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You Have to Start Somewhere

Even the most successful, well-known people in the world had to start at the bottom.  Learn about their stories because, after all, we all gotta start somewhere!

Beyoncé Sasha Fierce herself started at the very bottom of the food chain.  Today's diva superstar grew up sweeping hair from the floor of her mother's salon.  But with enough passion, drive, and her God-given singing/dancing/acting/designing talent, she became one of the biggest names in entertainment today.

Warren Buffett As one of the richest men in the world, it's hard to imagine that, at one point, Warren Buffet didn't have it all.  In fact, this powerful mogul started off working at his grandfather's grocery store.  He then worked his way up to J.C. Penney!

Oprah Winfrey One of the most inspirational success stories is that of Oprah Winfrey.  She started young and was even able to read before the age of three.  She was nicknamed "The Preacher" at her local church because she could recite Bible verses verbatim.  At the age of 16, Oprah arrived at a radio station to claim a watch that she had won through a contest.  There, she read for producers and was booked as an on-air reporter on the spot for $100 a week!

Michael Dell One of the most popular names in business and technology is Michael Dell.  But he, too had to start somewhere.  And he may have started at the very, very bottom.  Dell worked as a dishwasher at a Chinese restaurant, earning about $2.30 an hour.  "The best part was the wisdom of the restaurant owner, which I could capture if I came to work a little early," said Dell. "He took great pride in his work and cared about every customer who came through his door." 

Rush Limbaugh The famous American radio talk show host had to start somewhere.  And let's just say he worked from the ground, up.  Limbaugh worked as a shoe shiner in his early days!

So if you're sweeping the floor of a restaurant, cleaning dishes at the local restaurant, or shining shoes at the airport, just remember: you have to start somewhere.  With enough ambition, drive and smart thinking, you could be the next big thing!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig