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Questions and Answers
What business model owes a great deal to Martha Matilda Harper?
What business model owes a great deal to Martha Matilda Harper?
What was Martha Matilda Harper's occupation at the age of seven?
What was Martha Matilda Harper's occupation at the age of seven?
Where did Martha Matilda Harper move to at the age of 25?
Where did Martha Matilda Harper move to at the age of 25?
What was the name of the hair care product that Martha Matilda Harper used to dress her employer's hair?
What was the name of the hair care product that Martha Matilda Harper used to dress her employer's hair?
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How much money did Martha Matilda Harper use to open her beauty salon?
How much money did Martha Matilda Harper use to open her beauty salon?
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What was unique about Martha Matilda Harper's beauty salon?
What was unique about Martha Matilda Harper's beauty salon?
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Who did Martha Matilda Harper claim gave her the formula for Moscano Tonique?
Who did Martha Matilda Harper claim gave her the formula for Moscano Tonique?
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What was the name of Martha Matilda Harper's hair salons?
What was the name of Martha Matilda Harper's hair salons?
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What religious faith did Martha Matilda Harper credit with healing her and sustaining her through her decades in business?
What religious faith did Martha Matilda Harper credit with healing her and sustaining her through her decades in business?
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Who was Martha Matilda Harper's African American counterpart?
Who was Martha Matilda Harper's African American counterpart?
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What was the primary socio-economic background of Martha Harper's clientele?
What was the primary socio-economic background of Martha Harper's clientele?
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What drove Martha Harper to seek help from Christian Science practitioner Helen Pine Smith?
What drove Martha Harper to seek help from Christian Science practitioner Helen Pine Smith?
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What was unique about Martha Harper's approach to beauty?
What was unique about Martha Harper's approach to beauty?
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What did Martha Harper's training school offer to facilitate the use of her products?
What did Martha Harper's training school offer to facilitate the use of her products?
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What was the name of the church that Martha Harper joined in 1897?
What was the name of the church that Martha Harper joined in 1897?
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What was the primary goal of Martha Harper's business expansion in 1891?
What was the primary goal of Martha Harper's business expansion in 1891?
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Who wrote the book 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures'?
Who wrote the book 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures'?
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What was the duration of the courses for neophytes at Martha Harper's training school?
What was the duration of the courses for neophytes at Martha Harper's training school?
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What was the name of Martha Harper's biographer?
What was the name of Martha Harper's biographer?
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What did Martha Harper attribute her business success to?
What did Martha Harper attribute her business success to?
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In which decade did Harper Shops reach approximately 500 locations in the United States, Canada, England, France, and Germany?
In which decade did Harper Shops reach approximately 500 locations in the United States, Canada, England, France, and Germany?
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What is Martha Matilda Harper credited with inventing?
What is Martha Matilda Harper credited with inventing?
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Who took over the management of Harper's organization in the 1930s?
Who took over the management of Harper's organization in the 1930s?
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What did Robert McBain's management team introduce to the Harper Method?
What did Robert McBain's management team introduce to the Harper Method?
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What was a characteristic of Harper's relationship with her franchisees?
What was a characteristic of Harper's relationship with her franchisees?
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What happened to the company after Robert McBain sold it in 1956?
What happened to the company after Robert McBain sold it in 1956?
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What did Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd. retain after purchasing the company's assets in 1972?
What did Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd. retain after purchasing the company's assets in 1972?
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What was the reason for Martha Matilda Harper's withdrawal from the Christian Science church in 1941?
What was the reason for Martha Matilda Harper's withdrawal from the Christian Science church in 1941?
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What did Robert McBain's management team deemphasize in the Harper Method?
What did Robert McBain's management team deemphasize in the Harper Method?
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When did the original Harper Shop finally cease operations?
When did the original Harper Shop finally cease operations?
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What was the primary innovation of Martha Matilda Harper's beauty salon?
What was the primary innovation of Martha Matilda Harper's beauty salon?
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How did Martha Matilda Harper's career as an entrepreneur intersect with her faith?
How did Martha Matilda Harper's career as an entrepreneur intersect with her faith?
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What was the significance of Moscano Tonique in Martha Matilda Harper's career?
What was the significance of Moscano Tonique in Martha Matilda Harper's career?
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What was the nature of Martha Matilda Harper's early life?
What was the nature of Martha Matilda Harper's early life?
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What was Martha Matilda Harper's business model innovation?
What was Martha Matilda Harper's business model innovation?
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What was the significance of Rochester, New York, in Martha Matilda Harper's life?
What was the significance of Rochester, New York, in Martha Matilda Harper's life?
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What was the context in which Martha Matilda Harper received the formula for Moscano Tonique?
What was the context in which Martha Matilda Harper received the formula for Moscano Tonique?
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What was the nature of Martha Matilda Harper's entrepreneurial spirit?
What was the nature of Martha Matilda Harper's entrepreneurial spirit?
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What was the significance of Martha Matilda Harper's relationship with her employer?
What was the significance of Martha Matilda Harper's relationship with her employer?
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What was the impact of Martha Matilda Harper's innovation in the beauty industry?
What was the impact of Martha Matilda Harper's innovation in the beauty industry?
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What was the primary focus of Martha Harper's approach to beauty?
What was the primary focus of Martha Harper's approach to beauty?
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Why did Martha Harper seek help from Christian Science practitioner Helen Pine Smith?
Why did Martha Harper seek help from Christian Science practitioner Helen Pine Smith?
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What was unique about Martha Harper's beauty salon?
What was unique about Martha Harper's beauty salon?
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What did Martha Harper's training school offer to facilitate the use of her products?
What did Martha Harper's training school offer to facilitate the use of her products?
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Who wrote the book that resonated with Martha Harper's values?
Who wrote the book that resonated with Martha Harper's values?
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What did Martha Harper attribute her business success to?
What did Martha Harper attribute her business success to?
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What was the primary goal of Martha Harper's business expansion in 1891?
What was the primary goal of Martha Harper's business expansion in 1891?
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What was the name of the church that Martha Harper joined in 1897?
What was the name of the church that Martha Harper joined in 1897?
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What was the duration of the courses for experienced beauty operators at Martha Harper's training school?
What was the duration of the courses for experienced beauty operators at Martha Harper's training school?
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What did Martha Harper's biographer attribute her emphasis on natural beauty to?
What did Martha Harper's biographer attribute her emphasis on natural beauty to?
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What was the primary motivation behind Robert McBain's management team introducing hair coloring and permanent waves to the Harper Method?
What was the primary motivation behind Robert McBain's management team introducing hair coloring and permanent waves to the Harper Method?
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What was the impact of Robert McBain's management team on the Harper Method's distinctiveness?
What was the impact of Robert McBain's management team on the Harper Method's distinctiveness?
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What was the fate of the Harper Shops after Robert McBain sold the company in 1956?
What was the fate of the Harper Shops after Robert McBain sold the company in 1956?
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What was the significance of Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd. retaining the formulas for Martha Matilda Harper's original products?
What was the significance of Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd. retaining the formulas for Martha Matilda Harper's original products?
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What was the primary reason for Martha Matilda Harper's withdrawal from the Christian Science church in 1941?
What was the primary reason for Martha Matilda Harper's withdrawal from the Christian Science church in 1941?
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What was the characteristic of Martha Matilda Harper's relationship with her franchisees that was deemphasized by Robert McBain's management team?
What was the characteristic of Martha Matilda Harper's relationship with her franchisees that was deemphasized by Robert McBain's management team?
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What was the outcome of Martha Matilda Harper's decision to increasingly turn over management of the organization to her husband, Robert McBain, in the 1930s?
What was the outcome of Martha Matilda Harper's decision to increasingly turn over management of the organization to her husband, Robert McBain, in the 1930s?
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What was the significance of the periodic gatherings at headquarters in Rochester and elsewhere?
What was the significance of the periodic gatherings at headquarters in Rochester and elsewhere?
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What was the impact of Martha Matilda Harper's declining health on her involvement in the business?
What was the impact of Martha Matilda Harper's declining health on her involvement in the business?
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What was the fate of the original Harper Shop?
What was the fate of the original Harper Shop?
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Where were the Harper Shops located by the 1930s?
Where were the Harper Shops located by the 1930s?
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What is Martha Matilda Harper credited with inventing?
What is Martha Matilda Harper credited with inventing?
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What happened to the company after Robert McBain sold it in 1956?
What happened to the company after Robert McBain sold it in 1956?
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What did Robert McBain's management team introduce to the Harper Method?
What did Robert McBain's management team introduce to the Harper Method?
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What did Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd. retain after purchasing the company's assets in 1972?
What did Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd. retain after purchasing the company's assets in 1972?
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What was a characteristic of Harper's relationship with her franchisees?
What was a characteristic of Harper's relationship with her franchisees?
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When did the original Harper Shop finally cease operations?
When did the original Harper Shop finally cease operations?
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Why did Robert McBain take over the management of Harper's organization?
Why did Robert McBain take over the management of Harper's organization?
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What did Robert McBain's management team deemphasize in the Harper Method?
What did Robert McBain's management team deemphasize in the Harper Method?
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What was the result of Robert McBain's management team's changes to the Harper Method?
What was the result of Robert McBain's management team's changes to the Harper Method?
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What was the primary focus of Martha Harper's approach to beauty?
What was the primary focus of Martha Harper's approach to beauty?
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What did Martha Harper's training school offer to facilitate the use of her products?
What did Martha Harper's training school offer to facilitate the use of her products?
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What was the significance of Christian Science in Martha Harper's life?
What was the significance of Christian Science in Martha Harper's life?
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What did Martha Harper attribute her business success to?
What did Martha Harper attribute her business success to?
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Who wrote the book that resonated with Martha Harper's values?
Who wrote the book that resonated with Martha Harper's values?
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What was the primary goal of Martha Harper's business expansion in 1891?
What was the primary goal of Martha Harper's business expansion in 1891?
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What was the name of the church that Martha Harper joined in 1897?
What was the name of the church that Martha Harper joined in 1897?
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What did Martha Harper's biographer attribute her emphasis on natural beauty to?
What did Martha Harper's biographer attribute her emphasis on natural beauty to?
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How long did the courses for neophytes last at Martha Harper's training school?
How long did the courses for neophytes last at Martha Harper's training school?
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What was unique about Martha Harper's clientele?
What was unique about Martha Harper's clientele?
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What was Martha Matilda Harper's occupation before opening her beauty salon?
What was Martha Matilda Harper's occupation before opening her beauty salon?
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In which city did Martha Matilda Harper open her first beauty salon?
In which city did Martha Matilda Harper open her first beauty salon?
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What was unique about Martha Matilda Harper's business model?
What was unique about Martha Matilda Harper's business model?
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What did Martha Matilda Harper publicly credit with healing her and sustaining her?
What did Martha Matilda Harper publicly credit with healing her and sustaining her?
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What was the name of the hair care product that Martha Matilda Harper used to dress her employer's hair?
What was the name of the hair care product that Martha Matilda Harper used to dress her employer's hair?
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Where was Martha Matilda Harper born?
Where was Martha Matilda Harper born?
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What was the significance of Martha Matilda Harper's beauty salon?
What was the significance of Martha Matilda Harper's beauty salon?
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Who was Martha Matilda Harper's African American counterpart?
Who was Martha Matilda Harper's African American counterpart?
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At what age did Martha Matilda Harper start working as a domestic servant?
At what age did Martha Matilda Harper start working as a domestic servant?
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Study Notes
Martha Matilda Harper: A Pioneering Entrepreneur
- Martha Matilda Harper (1857-1950) was a Canadian-American entrepreneur who revolutionized the beauty industry with her innovative approach to hair care.
- Born in poverty in Ontario, Canada, Harper began working as a domestic servant at the age of seven and later moved to Rochester, New York, where she opened her first beauty salon in 1888.
The Harper Method
- Harper's approach to beauty emphasized bringing out natural beauty without hair coloring or permanent waves.
- She developed a unique formula, Moscano Tonique, which she claimed was given to her by a German-born physician on his deathbed.
- Her salons offered facial, neck, and shoulder massages, and her training school provided a comprehensive course for operators, including lessons in anatomy and techniques.
Franchising and Expansion
- In 1891, Harper introduced the concept of franchising, which allowed her to expand her business rapidly.
- She trained hundreds of women, mostly from modest backgrounds, to operate Harper Method Shops across the US, Canada, England, France, and Germany.
- By the 1930s, there were over 500 Harper Shops, making her a pioneer in the franchise business model.
Christian Science and Inspiration
- Harper credited Christian Science with healing her and sustaining her through her business ventures.
- She was influenced by Mary Baker Eddy's teachings, which emphasized a higher and more practical form of Christianity that demonstrated justice and met the needs of mortals in sickness and health.
- Harper's approach to beauty was partly shaped by Christian Science principles, such as the emphasis on natural beauty and the importance of mental and spiritual well-being.
Legacy and Impact
- Harper invented the reclining shampoo chair and shampoo basin, which are still used in hair salons and barber shops today.
- She was a role model for women entrepreneurs, particularly those from modest backgrounds, and paved the way for future generations of female business leaders.
- Harper's business continued to operate under various names until 1972, when the original formulas were retained by Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd.
Martha Matilda Harper: A Pioneering Entrepreneur
- Martha Matilda Harper (1857-1950) was a Canadian-American entrepreneur who revolutionized the beauty industry with her innovative approach to hair care.
- Born in poverty in Ontario, Canada, Harper began working as a domestic servant at the age of seven and later moved to Rochester, New York, where she opened her first beauty salon in 1888.
The Harper Method
- Harper's approach to beauty emphasized bringing out natural beauty without hair coloring or permanent waves.
- She developed a unique formula, Moscano Tonique, which she claimed was given to her by a German-born physician on his deathbed.
- Her salons offered facial, neck, and shoulder massages, and her training school provided a comprehensive course for operators, including lessons in anatomy and techniques.
Franchising and Expansion
- In 1891, Harper introduced the concept of franchising, which allowed her to expand her business rapidly.
- She trained hundreds of women, mostly from modest backgrounds, to operate Harper Method Shops across the US, Canada, England, France, and Germany.
- By the 1930s, there were over 500 Harper Shops, making her a pioneer in the franchise business model.
Christian Science and Inspiration
- Harper credited Christian Science with healing her and sustaining her through her business ventures.
- She was influenced by Mary Baker Eddy's teachings, which emphasized a higher and more practical form of Christianity that demonstrated justice and met the needs of mortals in sickness and health.
- Harper's approach to beauty was partly shaped by Christian Science principles, such as the emphasis on natural beauty and the importance of mental and spiritual well-being.
Legacy and Impact
- Harper invented the reclining shampoo chair and shampoo basin, which are still used in hair salons and barber shops today.
- She was a role model for women entrepreneurs, particularly those from modest backgrounds, and paved the way for future generations of female business leaders.
- Harper's business continued to operate under various names until 1972, when the original formulas were retained by Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd.
Martha Matilda Harper: A Pioneering Entrepreneur
- Martha Matilda Harper (1857-1950) was a Canadian-American entrepreneur who revolutionized the beauty industry with her innovative approach to hair care.
- Born in poverty in Ontario, Canada, Harper began working as a domestic servant at the age of seven and later moved to Rochester, New York, where she opened her first beauty salon in 1888.
The Harper Method
- Harper's approach to beauty emphasized bringing out natural beauty without hair coloring or permanent waves.
- She developed a unique formula, Moscano Tonique, which she claimed was given to her by a German-born physician on his deathbed.
- Her salons offered facial, neck, and shoulder massages, and her training school provided a comprehensive course for operators, including lessons in anatomy and techniques.
Franchising and Expansion
- In 1891, Harper introduced the concept of franchising, which allowed her to expand her business rapidly.
- She trained hundreds of women, mostly from modest backgrounds, to operate Harper Method Shops across the US, Canada, England, France, and Germany.
- By the 1930s, there were over 500 Harper Shops, making her a pioneer in the franchise business model.
Christian Science and Inspiration
- Harper credited Christian Science with healing her and sustaining her through her business ventures.
- She was influenced by Mary Baker Eddy's teachings, which emphasized a higher and more practical form of Christianity that demonstrated justice and met the needs of mortals in sickness and health.
- Harper's approach to beauty was partly shaped by Christian Science principles, such as the emphasis on natural beauty and the importance of mental and spiritual well-being.
Legacy and Impact
- Harper invented the reclining shampoo chair and shampoo basin, which are still used in hair salons and barber shops today.
- She was a role model for women entrepreneurs, particularly those from modest backgrounds, and paved the way for future generations of female business leaders.
- Harper's business continued to operate under various names until 1972, when the original formulas were retained by Niagara Mist Marketing, Ltd.
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Description
Learn about Martha Matilda Harper, a Canadian-American entrepreneur who pioneered the business franchise model. Discover how her hair salons, known as Harper Method shops, paved the way for modern franchising. Take this quiz to explore her innovative business strategies and impact on American commerce.
