Celebrating Women's Entrepreneurship Day: 5 Inspiring Stories
On the occasion of Women's Entrepreneurship Day, November 19th, we look back at five remarkable journeys that broke the mold and paved the way for generations of innovators.
Madam C.J. Walker: From Laundress to Economic Icon
Born in 1867 to former slave parents, Sarah Breedlove became Madam C.J. Walker through her vision and determination. Facing hair scalp problems, she developed a sulfur-based formula to promote hair growth. Her economic model was ingenious: she sold door-to-door, trained "beauty culturists," and built a national distribution network. By 1910, she had established her headquarters and a factory in Indianapolis, created training schools, and employed thousands of African American women. She also invested her earnings in philanthropy, supporting the NAACP and providing scholarships, despite facing enormous racial and social obstacles. At her death in 1919, she left a lasting legacy: not only an economic empire but also a source of empowerment for many black women.
Coco Chanel: The Empire of Minimalist Style
Born in 1883, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel built a fashion empire from scratch. After opening a hat shop in Paris, she revolutionized women's fashion by using simple fabrics like jersey, previously reserved for men's clothing. In 1921, she launched Chanel N°5, a perfume that became the backbone of her business: the simple bottle, the minimalist branding, everything reflected her modern aesthetic. Chanel didn't just create pieces; she invented a vision, a lifestyle. Her brand embodied luxury, independence, and timeless elegance – a positioning that endures today.
Estée Lauder: The Cosmetics Marketing Magician
Josephine Esther "Estée" Lauder (born in 1908) co-founded her cosmetics company in 1946 with her husband. From the start, she focused on free samples and personalized demonstrations, strategies that were uncommon but highly effective at the time. Her stroke of genius was launching Youth Dew in 1953, a bath oil that also served as a perfume. The product became a best-seller and propelled the brand onto the international market. Under her direction, the company grew, entered prestigious retail outlets, and transformed into a cosmetics empire present in over 140 countries. Her philosophy was to build authentic relationships with customers while maintaining a rigorous business approach.
Two Women Who Are Making a Mark in Tunisia and Beyond
Malek Boukthir: The Sustainability Engineer Behind EcoFeed
At just 28 years old, Malek Boukthir embodies the alliance between science, ecology, and social entrepreneurship. Holding a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, she founded EcoFeed, a startup based in Gabès that valorizes agricultural and marine waste to produce sustainable animal feed. Her project was born out of a pressing issue: the feed crisis that had weakened farms in her region. She turned this urgency into an opportunity by developing an ecological process (drying, fermentation, clean energy) that converts by-products into high-value animal nutrients. More than just a business, EcoFeed is designed as an impact enterprise: it reduces animal feed imports, supports small farmers, and minimizes organic waste. Her journey is also marked by recognition: she was elected Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 at the Tunisia Women Entrepreneurs Awards (FET) and won the Jeun'ESS prize in the social and solidarity economy.
Mbarka Mbarki: From Tozeur to Date Pit Oil with Oasissia
Originally from Tozeur, Mbarka Mbarki is behind a project that combines traditional agriculture and ethical entrepreneurship. A former English teacher, she decided in 2019 to launch Oasissia, a company dedicated to valorizing oasis waste, particularly date pits, to extract a precious oil. The idea is both simple and powerful: instead of discarding the pits, Mbarka sorts, transforms, and turns them into a resource for natural cosmetics (soaps, scrubs, creams). Her initiative did not go unnoticed: in 2024, she was elected "Woman Entrepreneur of the Year" at the FET Awards. The Oasissia project also benefits the local economy: job creation, pit collection from farmers, and adherence to a sustainable model. Mbarka Mbarki is an example of resilience: she left a traditional teaching path to innovate in agro-ecology, while valorizing her native region's natural and cultural heritage.
