Becoming an Entrepreneur
Wasn’t an Expected Path
For a Woman in the 1960s
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
An astounding true story of a young woman driven by her desire to escape chauvinism blazes a whirlwind path full of mystical encounters and unexpected adventures. From love to lawsuits, her business and personal life intertwine, bringing her to untold heights. Uncanny predictions at a chance encounter with a Fulbright Scholar from India follow her throughout life, as if written on the wall and fated to happen.
Chauvinism from her youth make her determined to explore opportunities. She breaks through a glass ceiling of seventy men, enjoys traveling for a year, and returns to found an innovative startup in New York City. Whether skiing the powdery snow in Aspen, or waking up on a beach in Mexico to men with machine guns, each adventure brings challenges and insights to add to an ever-broadening awareness. A lucky break merges with swirling thoughts to ignite a new business. Running a successful startup attracts ADWEEK Magazine of New York. She places first on their list of “The Dynamic Dozen.” It should have been smooth sailing, but sharks were circling. A court battle followed.
Entertaining and inspirational stories are told from pivotal times in history. Readers gain skills about life and business. The narrative will make you laugh at humanity, provoke anger at infuriating situations and leave you inspired to reach goals. Stimulating questions are raised, which will generate a deeper introspection.
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An Astonishing True Story
Publisher: Hammond Publishing (August 2019)
ISBN-10: 1733319638
ISBN-13: 978-1733319638
ASIN: B07WXTKQ1H
Print Length: 293 pages
The Writing On The Wall
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. Though I almost never read a summary before starting a book, one sentence jumped out at me, “. . . a young woman driven by her desire to escape chauvinism.” I worried that it might be over the top for this laid-back lady.
It wasn’t at all.
Howard’s story feels honest as she shares her journey consisting of life’s ups and downs. Because I could relate to many of the things she referred to in the 1960s and beyond, I loved the memories it invoked. She shared attitudes, news, and technology, or should I say lack of it, to help describe the various time frames.
She blended her experiences as a woman, in a man’s world, throughout her story without it feeling like a “women’s lib” book. Something I was concerned about.
If you like memoirs, this one will touch on relatable things older readers will appreciate. But even if you are a younger, this is a remarkable journey by a brave woman that you’re sure to fall in love with.
It’s more than a fascinating look at life through the eyes of a woman who persevered and made her dream come true. She shares her experiences with children and much, much more.
Thank you WOW! (Women on Writing) and author Marilyn Howard for having me on this tour and for a gifted copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR and GUEST POST
Marilyn Howard broke through the glass ceiling at Grey Advertising of New York to become their first female art director while in her early twenties. In 1970, she founded an innovative startup. Creative Freelancers Inc. became the first agency to connect businesses with freelance artists and writers, and operated for over 25 years in the center of Manhattan. ADWEEK Magazine of New York featured her in “The Dynamic Dozen,” those women under forty they identified as most likely to succeed. In 1997, her company became the first agency on the Internet. The author holds a B.F.A. from Syracuse University.
Visit her online at:
Her website: http://www.thewritewall.com/
Her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marilyn-Howard/author/B07XFPWDK2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063965286663
Guest Post
Some Good News About Children With Disabilities
Having a child with a disability can be a shock. No parent wants their child to be sick or disabled. The awareness of how it will change your life can be overwhelming. It is a long journey ahead. There are many sad stories but some happy ones. All create additional responsibilities. The good news is that kids are resilient. They can learn there is nothing wrong with getting help. The child can be very inspiring and a loving addition to your life.
Before being tested, my daughter, Liz, had trouble writing letters. I helped her by breaking each letter into the components of straight lines, slant lines, circles and half-circles, and it worked. She could learn, but needed individualize instruction. At the request of a kindergarten, a child psychologist produced an absorbing report confirming and explaining her strengths and weaknesses. She rated poor at logical sequential subjects such as math, but high on the verbal and abstract. They found her to have a learning disability. It was a minor disability compared to many, but it involved unwanted work and struggle.
As the years went on, Liz worked hard. Yes, there were many times when she threw down her homework and said, while running out of the room, “I can’t do this!” However, she came back with calm encouragement. She learned that perseverance paid off and asked for help when needed. When the middle school wanted to take her off the college track, I said I would hire tutors if needed. To help, I relearned geometry and chemistry—challenging tasks that I could have lived without as a working mom.
A friend who had a learning disability often kept me going. Her determination to succeed
proved teachers wrong. She became a immense success with a creative approach to a small
retail store that grew. I knew my daughter had her father’s sales skills, which the school’s math
department did not appreciate. Strengthening self-confidence and natural skills can make a big
difference in the outcome.
My daughter Liz had an outgoing personality and dreamed of being a class leader or on the stage. While she couldn’t remember script lines, she did well in public speaking. I didn’t know where that could lead, but encouraged it. The college of our choice took a limited group of students with documented disabilities and provided a tutor for one subject. It was the perfect place. She became part of the school’s Senate and then President of her senior class. As she stood on the graduation stage in her President’s robe, a tear came to my eye. Her impossible dream had come true.
Many parents have inspiring success stories. Your child may never be the child you expected, but the relationship can bring joy and growth to your life.
Great review and guest post!
Thank you so much for your kind words.