1. MARTHA MATILDA HARPER AND AMERIC
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 80.34
Dealer: Abebooks, BennettBooksLtd
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.07 [North Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

2. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 80.34
Dealer: Alibris, GridFreed via Alibris
Description: Syracuse University Press 2000-05-01 Hardcover New Size: 9x6x0; New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 

3. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 10.50
Dealer: Abebooks, Jay W. Nelson, Bookseller, IOBA
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition Near fine book and jacket. [Austin, MN, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

4. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 11.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Riverhorse Books
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition 1st ed/1st prntg. Hardcover book in dust jkt. Book has no markings, inside or out, no rem-mark, and is clean and tight. Dust jkt is not price-clipped, and has no tears, chips or folds, and is bright and clean.184 pgs w/index and B&W photos. [Saginaw, MI, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

5. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 8.47
Dealer: Abebooks, SecondSale
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. [Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

6. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 64.00
Dealer: Abebooks, The Book Spot
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover [Sioux Falls, SD, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

7. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Plitt Jane 
Price: USD 84.35
Dealer: Biblio, GridFreed LLC
Description: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000-05-01. Hardcover. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

8. Martha Matilda Harper and American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Plitt Jane 
Price: USD 10.50
Dealer: Biblio, Jay W. Nelson, Bookseller
Description: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000. Book. Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. Near fine book and jacket. . 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

9. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream : How One Woman Changed the Face of American Business
by Plitt Jane 
Price: USD 10.22
Dealer: Biblio, Better World Books
Description: Syracuse University Press. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

10. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream : How One Woman Changed the Face of American Business
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 8.37
Dealer: Abebooks, Better World Books
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. [Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

11. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream : How One Woman Changed the Face of American Business
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 7.92
Dealer: ZVAB, Better World Books
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. [Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

12. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream How one Woman Changed the face of Modern Business
by Jane R. Plitt 
Price: USD 22.50
Dealer: Abebooks, Before Your Quiet Eyes
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition The author of this volume inscribed and date this book on the title page. This is a stated First Edition with a complete number line, 6-1, and a complete year line 00-05. This title was part of the Writing American Woman series with Carol A. Komerten acting as the Senior Editor. The 184 page of this volume include some black-and-white images. The boards are cover in a tan cloth and have black lettering on the spine. The book is 6 1/4 by 9 1/2 inches. Both the dust jacket and the book are clean, bright and without marks, rips, tears, highlighting or underlining. [Rochester, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

13. Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt Jane R. 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Biblio, James Lasseter, Jr.
Description: Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. Signed and inscribed on the title page, by the author, Jane R. Plitt, as follows: "Dare to make a /difference!/ Jane Plitt/"; not personalized to anyone. 184 pages, including an index. Volume itself has bayish cloth covers with sharp black lettering on the spine. Book is clean & binding is tight. A very nice, author signed, copy; available for immediate shipment, carefully wrapped and packed in a sturdy box. 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

14. Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream: How One Woman Changed The Face Of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 14.99
Dealer: Abebooks, Granada Bookstore, IOBA
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.A.] Hardcover First Edition Stated First Edition With The Number Line Indicating A Third Printing. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Inscribed "To Dorsie & Jolur, May You Continue To Spread The Love Of History & Truth" And Signed By The Author On The Title Page. Dated 9/01. [Woodlawn, IL, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

15. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Jane R. Plitt 
Price: USD 6.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Books End Bookshop
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover Writing American Women; 9.3 X 6.3 X 0.7 inches; 224 pages [Syracuse, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

16. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Jane R. Plitt 
Price: USD 6.00
Dealer: Alibris, Books End Bookshop via Alibris
Description: Syracuse Univ Pr 2000 First Edition; First Printing Hardcover Very Good+ in Very Good+ jacket Writing American Women; 9.3 X 6.3 X 0.7 inches; 224 pages. 

17. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 32.84
Dealer: Alibris, Bonita via Alibris
Description: Syracuse Univ Pr 2000 hardcover Good Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book. 

18. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 62.97
Dealer: Alibris, Bonita via Alibris
Description: Syracuse Univ Pr 2000 hardcover New 

19. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 85.23
Dealer: Abebooks, Book Deals
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 1.08 [Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

20. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 14.99
Dealer: Abebooks, Books Unplugged
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within [Amherst, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

21. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 14.57
Dealer: Abebooks, Books Unplugged
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover Buy with confidence! Book is in acceptable condition with wear to the pages, binding, and some marks within [Amherst, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

22. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 85.22
Dealer: Abebooks, GF Books, Inc.
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover Book is in NEW condition. 1.08 [Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

23. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 15.97
Dealer: Abebooks, Irish Booksellers
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr] Hardcover SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. [Portland, ME, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

24. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business (Writing American Women)
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 16.53
Dealer: Abebooks, Genesee Books
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition Inscribed by author on title page. [Rochester, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

25. Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream: How One Woman Changed The Face Of Modern Business
by Plitt Jane R 
Price: USD 11.76
Dealer: Biblio, Chris Hartmann, Bookseller
Description: Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Univ. Press. Hardcover. Date: 2000. 3rd Printing. 8vo 184pp . Fine in Fine DJ. B&W Photographs. Harper created America's first retail franchise network, a radical new business model that encouraged women to own businesses. In 1888, after immigrating to the US, she pioneered the idea of a public hairdressing salon based on health- conscious precepts . 2000. Syracuse Univ. Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

26. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt Jane R. 
Price: USD 15.40
Dealer: Biblio, after-words bookstore
Description: Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000. A nice reading copy. Pages are clean and bright. Binding is tight. Book and jacket show some shelfwear. Black and white photos scattered throughout.. First Edition, 1st printing. Hard Cover. Good +/Good +. 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

27. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt Jane 
Price: USD 10.34
Dealer: Biblio, ThriftBooks
Description: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

28. Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream: How One Woman Changed The Face Of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Plitt Jane R. 
Price: USD 14.99
Dealer: Biblio, Granada Bookstore (Member IOBA)
Description: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.A.: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000. 1st Edition 3rd Printing. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Stated First Edition With The Number Line Indicating A Third Printing. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Inscribed "To Dorsie & Jolur, May You Continue To Spread The Love Of History & Truth" And Signed By The Author On The Title Page. Dated 9/01. 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

29. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Jane R. Plitt 
Price: USD 6.00
Dealer: Biblio, Books End Bookshop
Description: Syracuse Univ Pr. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Very Good+/Very Good+. Writing American Women; 9.3 X 6.3 X 0.7 inches; 224 pages Syracuse Univ Pr ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

30. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Jane R. Plitt 
Price: USD 12.93
Dealer: Biblio, Ergodebooks
Description: Syracuse Univ Pr (Sd), Date: 2000-05. Hardcover. Good. 2000. Syracuse Univ Pr (Sd) ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

31. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Jane R. Plitt 
Price: USD 11.00
Dealer: Biblio, Riverhorsebooks
Description: 1st ed/1st prntg. Hardcover book in dust jkt. Book has no markings, inside or out, no rem-mark, and is clean and tight. Dust jkt is not price-clipped, and has no tears, chips or folds, and is bright and clean.184 pgs w/index and B&W photos. Date: 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

32. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Plitt Jane R. 
Price: USD 39.78
Dealer: Biblio, Bonita
Description: hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book. ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

33. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business Writing American Women
by Plitt Jane 
Price: USD 16.53
Dealer: Biblio, Genesee Books
Description: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000 Inscribed by author on title page.. Inscribed by Author(s). 1st Edition.. Hardcover. As New/As New. 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

34. Martha Matilda Harper And The American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Abebooks, James Lasseter, Jr
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, New York] Hardcover Signed and inscribed on the title page, by the author, Jane R. Plitt, as follows: "Dare to make a /difference!/ Jane Plitt/"; not personalized to anyone. 184 pages, including an index. Volume itself has bayish cloth covers with sharp black lettering on the spine. Book is clean & binding is tight. A very nice, author signed, copy; available for immediate shipment, carefully wrapped and packed in a sturdy box. [Brooksville, FL, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

35. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 6.34
Dealer: Alibris, ThriftBooks-Atlanta via Alibris
Description: Syracuse University Press 2000 Hardcover Good Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. 

36. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 6.34
Dealer: Alibris, ThriftBooks-Dallas via Alibris
Description: Syracuse University Press 2000 Hardcover Good Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. 

37. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 25.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Bluestocking Books
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover First Edition Biography and business history of Martha Harper, evolved from her life as a servant to becoming a pioneer entrepreneur who created the first US franchise industry, an international network of affordable women's beauty shops. (Series: Writing American Women). Works cited, index. xviii, 184 pp. [Sandwich, MA, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

38. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 10.34
Dealer: Abebooks, ThriftBooks-Atlanta
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95 [AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

39. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane 
Price: USD 10.34
Dealer: Abebooks, ThriftBooks-Dallas
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press] Hardcover Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.95 [Dallas, TX, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]  

40. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream; How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt Jane R. 
Price: USD 125.00
Dealer: Biblio, Ground Zero Books
Description: Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, Date: 2000. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. xviii, 184, [6] pages. Frontis illustration. Illustrations. Works Cited. Index. Inscribed on the title page by the author. Inscription reads 6/00 To Jean & Gail, May you be inspired by her story. May your dreams come true too! Jane Plitt. Jane Plitt is a curious, determined entrepreneur who stumbled on a brief clipping about Martha Matilda Harper. She had to find out more and spent six years uncovering her buried tale. What fun to travel across the United States and Canada and be warmly embraced by relatives, former and active Harper shop trainees and owners. The author is proud that Harper's story is now spreading across the world because we need to know more about our amazing women whose accomplishments have been buried. Imagine, she was a servant for 25 years and ultimately created modern franchising so that other poor women like her could change their lives by associating with the Harper Method. She even invented the first reclining shampoo chair to delight customers. Martha Matilda Harper (September 10, 1857, Oakville, Ontario - August 3, 1950, Rochester, New York) was an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and inventor who launched modern retail franchising and then built an international network of 500 franchised hair salons that emphasized healthy hair care. Harper was sent away by her father when she was seven to work as a domestic servant. She worked in that profession for 25 years before she saved enough money to start working full-time producing a hair tonic she invented. The product, and the creation of special hair salons that utilized it, was successful. Harper began franchising the salon model to low-income women, and by its peak the company included more than 500 franchises and an entire line of hair care products. Harper's salon, the Harper Method Hair Parlour, and many of her innovations underlie the modern concept of the hair salon. Before Harper, hairdressers used to make home visits. She used her hair tonic on herself to advertise. Her floor-length hair also served as an effective marketing tool and appeared in many advertisements for her products. She hired former servants to staff her salon. In 1891, at the urging of Bertha Palmer of the Palmer House fame, Harper became the first to start modern retail franchising, allowing franchisees to open salons under the Harper name. Her first franchise was in Buffalo, New York. Palmer wanted Harper to open her unique hair salon in Chicago in 1893 in time for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which Harper did. Each salon was owned by a woman; the first 100 shops only went to poor women like Harper. She trained the franchisees and inspected their salons to ensure quality. Emphasizing customer service and comfort, Harper invented reclining shampoo chairs, which became a common feature of salons worldwide. The salons offered scalp massage and child care, and they provided evening hours. The hair products her company produced were intended to be healthier than those widely available at the time and were made largely with natural products. Harper salons did not carry synthetic dyes or do chemical perms. Among the Harper customers were British royalty, Susan B. Anthony, Woodrow Wilson, Grace Coolidge, Joseph P. Kennedy, Rose Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, George Bernard Shaw, and Ladybird Johnson. 2000. Syracuse University Press ISBN 0815606389 9780815606383 [US] 

41. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream; How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 125.00
Dealer: Alibris, Ground Zero Books, Ltd. via Alibris
Description: Syracuse, NY Syracuse University Press 2000 First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated] Hardcover Very good in Very good jacket xviii, 184, [6] pages. Frontis illustration. Illustrations. Works Cited. Index. Inscribed on the title page by the author. Inscription reads 6/00 To Jean & Gail, May you be inspired by her story. May your dreams come true too! Jane Plitt. Jane Plitt is a curious, determined entrepreneur who stumbled on a brief clipping about Martha Matilda Harper. She had to find out more and spent six years uncovering her buried tale. What fun to travel across the United States and Canada and be warmly embraced by relatives, former and active Harper shop trainees and owners. The author is proud that Harper's story is now spreading across the world because we need to know more about our amazing women whose accomplishments have been buried. Imagine, she was a servant for 25 years and ultimately created modern franchising so that other poor women like her could change their lives by associating with the Harper Method. She even invented the first reclining shampoo chair to delight customers. Martha Matilda Harper (September 10, 1857, Oakville, Ontario-August 3, 1950, Rochester, New York) was an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and inventor who launched modern retail franchising and then built an international network of 500 franchised hair salons that emphasized healthy hair care. Harper was sent away by her father when she was seven to work as a domestic servant. She worked in that profession for 25 years before she saved enough money to start working full-time producing a hair tonic she invented. The product, and the creation of special hair salons that utilized it, was successful. Harper began franchising the salon model to low-income women, and by its peak the company included more than 500 franchises and an entire line of hair care products. Harper's salon, the Harper Method Hair Parlour, and many of her innovations underlie the modern concept of the hair salon. Before Harper, hairdressers used to make home visits. She used her hair tonic on herself to advertise. Her floor-length hair also served as an effective marketing tool and appeared in many advertisements for her products. She hired former servants to staff her salon. In 1891, at the urging of Bertha Palmer of the Palmer House fame, Harper became the first to start modern retail franchising, allowing franchisees to open salons under the Harper name. Her first franchise was in Buffalo, New York. Palmer wanted Harper to open her unique hair salon in Chicago in 1893 in time for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which Harper did. Each salon was owned by a woman; the first 100 shops only went to poor women like Harper. She trained the franchisees and inspected their salons to ensure quality. Emphasizing customer service and comfort, Harper invented reclining shampoo chairs, which became a common feature of salons worldwide. The salons offered scalp massage and child care, and they provided evening hours. The hair products her company produced were intended to be healthier than those widely available at the time and were made largely with natural products. Harper salons did not carry synthetic dyes or do chemical perms. Among the Harper customers were British royalty, Susan B. Anthony, Woodrow Wilson, Grace Coolidge, Joseph P. Kennedy, Rose Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, George Bernard Shaw, and Ladybird Johnson. 

42. Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream; How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business
by Plitt, Jane R. 
Price: USD 125.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Ground Zero Books, Ltd.
Description: ISBN10: 0815606389, ISBN13: 9780815606383, [publisher: Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY] Hardcover First Edition xviii, 184, [6] pages. Frontis illustration. Illustrations. Works Cited. Index. Inscribed on the title page by the author. Inscription reads 6/00 To Jean & Gail, May you be inspired by her story. May your dreams come true too! Jane Plitt. Jane Plitt is a curious, determined entrepreneur who stumbled on a brief clipping about Martha Matilda Harper. She had to find out more and spent six years uncovering her buried tale. What fun to travel across the United States and Canada and be warmly embraced by relatives, former and active Harper shop trainees and owners. The author is proud that Harper's story is now spreading across the world because we need to know more about our amazing women whose accomplishments have been buried. Imagine, she was a servant for 25 years and ultimately created modern franchising so that other poor women like her could change their lives by associating with the Harper Method. She even invented the first reclining shampoo chair to delight customers. Martha Matilda Harper (September 10, 1857, Oakville, Ontario - August 3, 1950, Rochester, New York) was an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and inventor who launched modern retail franchising and then built an international network of 500 franchised hair salons that emphasized healthy hair care. Harper was sent away by her father when she was seven to work as a domestic servant. She worked in that profession for 25 years before she saved enough money to start working full-time producing a hair tonic she invented. The product, and the creation of special hair salons that utilized it, was successful. Harper began franchising the salon model to low-income women, and by its peak the company included more than 500 franchises and an entire line of hair care products. Harper's salon, the Harper Method Hair Parlour, and many of her innovations underlie the modern concept of the hair salon. Before Harper, hairdressers used to make home visits. She used her hair tonic on herself to advertise. Her floor-length hair also served as an effective marketing tool and appeared in many advertisements for her products. She hired former servants to staff her salon. In 1891, at the urging of Bertha Palmer of the Palmer House fame, Harper became the first to start modern retail franchising, allowing franchisees to open salons under the Harper name. Her first franchise was in Buffalo, New York. Palmer wanted Harper to open her unique hair salon in Chicago in 1893 in time for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which Harper did. Each salon was owned by a woman; the first 100 shops only went to poor women like Harper. She trained the franchisees and inspected their salons to ensure quality. Emphasizing customer service and comfort, Harper invented reclining shampoo chairs, which became a common feature of salons worldwide. The salons offered scalp massage and child care, and they provided evening hours. The hair products her company produced were intended to be healthier than those widely available at the time and were made largely with natural products. Harper salons did not carry synthetic dyes or do chemical perms. Among the Harper customers were British royalty, Susan B. Anthony, Woodrow Wilson, Grace Coolidge, Joseph P. Kennedy, Rose Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, George Bernard Shaw, and Ladybird Johnson. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. [Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2000]