Breaking ground as one of the most successful African-American supermodels of all time, Tyra Banks has relied on more than just a pretty face to build her brand and secure a place in the media.
Millions of supermodels have taken that leisurely stroll down fashion runways. But not all of them become media tycoons. Who would have thought that a few trips down a catwalk wearing lingerie could catapult a model into supreme stardom? Such was the case for former Victoria’s Secret model, Tyra Banks.
Modeling and acting seem to go hand in hand. But Tyra also parlayed these skills into many lucrative avenues. She is the creator, host, and den-mother on the CW network’s cult phenomenon, “America’s Next Top Model.” The hit program showed women everywhere exactly what it takes to make it in the modeling industry. The show also served as a platform to showcase Tyra’s other hidden talent; many were shocked to realize that the reality show hostess also has an impressive set of singing pipes. But instead of diving into an already saturated music industry, Tyra decided to lend her voice to a greater cause.
In an era where everyone seems to be popping up with a talk show, Tyra Banks cornered the market – securing a thriving base of young female fans wither her daytime hit, “The Tyra Banks Show.” The niche she carved out was firmly based on her dedication to mentoring teen girls; her organization TZONE focuses on helping girls from lower-income families.
Those who sat on Tyra Banks’ talk show sound stage, got the feeling that they were chatting it up with an old girlfriend; this was no accident. She effortlessly fused her experience in the industry with the uncanny ability to make an example of herself. She may have a string of modeling endorsements under her fashionable belt. But by shedding some of the pretenses of the entertainment world, Tyra has successfully managed to convert her name into a sturdy marketing tool.
We all know that Cash Money’s Birdman has know problem with blowing money fast. But $2.5 mill on a car damn! That money can take care of a lot of people.
There is a tough truth that any small business owner has to face. Even in the best of times, the vast majority of small businesses fail. In this article, we’ll look at ten entrepreneurs who not only succeeded, but built vast business empires.
John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller was the richest man in history by most measures. He made his fortune by squeezing out efficiencies through horizontal and vertical integrations that made Standard Oil synonymous with monopoly - but also dropped the price of fuel drastically for the everyday consumer. The government broke up Standard Oil for good in 1911. Rockefeller’s hand can still be seen in the companies like Exxon (NYSE:XOM) and Conoco that profited from the R&D and infrastructure they received as their piece of the breakup. Rockefeller retired at the turn of the century and devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy.
Andrew Carnegie Andrew Carnegie loved efficiency. From his start in Steel, Carnegie’s mills were always on the leading edge of technology. Carnegie combined his superior processes with an excellent sense of timing, snapping up steel assets in every market downturn. Like Rockefeller, Carnegie spent his golden years giving away the fortune he spent most of his life building.
Thomas Edison
There is no doubt that Edison was brilliant, but it’s his business sense, not his talent as an inventor, that clearly shows his intelligence. Edison took innovation and made it the process now known as research and development. He sold his services to many other companies before striking out on his own to create most of the electrical power infrastructure of the United States. While Edison is a founder of General Electric (NYSE:GE), many companies today owe their existence to him – Edison Electric, Con Edison and so on. Although Edison had far more patents than he did corporate ties, it is the companies that will carry his legacy into the future.
I was reading an article in the LA Times about Sean “Diddy” Combs discussing his new role in “Get Him To The Greek” and in this article there was a list of titles he has held as a business man all while building upon a maturing acting career. While reading, it really hit me that this guy is truly amazing; we all have our opinion of who we think Diddy is, some of us love him and some us hate him. Though, when you look at his track record of success in various industries, in-addition to the amount of courage and fearlessness he continue to display by putting himself out in the open to be criticized you must respect his boldness.
With the level of success Diddy’s has accomplished it would be easy for him to retire and go enjoy his wealth and raise his kids, but for a guy like him who is addicted to the grind that would be damn near impossible. The thing I noticed about individuals who have built fortunes is rarely do you hear them mention the thought of retiring. He is a part of the rare breed of successful individuals who take true pleasure in succeeding at whatever they put their hand to and will not stop until they have accomplished their goal.
From his days as an intern at “Uptown” Diddy has evolved into many things — rapper, producer, manager, clothing designer, car designer, magazine publisher, reality-television star, actor and business executive. His success hasn’t come by chance but through pure will and determination he has earned the right to sit on top as the king of entertainment. For a person who has came so far and started with so little you have to tip your hat to him and give credit where it due.
I would just like to give Sean “Diddy” Combs his props and thank him for the inspiration.
Alexis Diaz has always been a natural born Actress. From the start of a young age she had participated in plays and competed in talent shows. Always driven she had attended Temple university in Philadelphia, where she received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in theater.MORE
Breaking ground as one of the most successful African-American supermodels of all time, Tyra Banks has relied on more than just a pretty face to build her brand and secure a place in the media.
