As a child in Nutley, New Jersey, she already showed signs of a competitive spirit, which her father, a coldhearted tyrant, further developed into a quality of ruthlessness. As a teenager, Martha was attractive, and her father told her, "Your looks have market value" (Shales C1). From this beginning, her industrial strength determination and unflagging self-confidence developed a business empire.
Martha Stewart first worked as a model thirty-five years ago while attending Bernard College, studying chemistry, European history and architecture. She continued modeling and working in television after graduation. After the birth of her daughter she stopped modeling and worked as a stockbroker until the recession of the 1970s. Then she, her husband, and daughter moved to Westport, Connecticut, where she began a catering business from the basement of the family's restored farmhouse (Martha Stewart Empire 1).
Next she wrote for magazines·House Beautiful and Family Circle·as well as contributing articles to The New York Times before starting her own magazine Martha Stewart Living. She subsequently resumed television appearances and started her own hour-long daily show, making her one of the most recognized people in the media.
The homemaker icon's empire, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, includes a children's magazine, Martha Stewart Kids, and her television show "Martha Stewart Living" (Steinberg & Vranica B4). She publishes a quarterly, Martha Stewart Weddings, and has a new magazine, Everyday Food (One Martha Stewart 1). She has a flower service, greeting cards, and a coordinated line of home dTcor called "Martha Stewart Signature." Many of her products are merchandised through Kmart, and she also has some garden products (Szalai 9).
The Martha Stewart company went public in 1999. In recent months the company has made news because Martha Stewart has been accused of insider trading of ImClone Systems shares, possibly ...