Martha Stewart Interview: Recipe for Entrepreneurial Success

Martha Stewart shares her insights on success, creativity, and entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and adaptability in achieving one's goals, recounting her own experiences in building a media empire. Stewart describes how she was able to elevate and redefine homekeeping as an art form, appealing to both homemakers and career women while emphasizing the importance of balance.
Martha Stewart was born Martha Kostyra, on August 3, 1941, in New Jersey. The second of six children, Stewart grew up in Nutley, New Jersey. She worked as a model from the age of 13, appearing in fashion shows as well as television and print advertisements. Stewart attended Barnard College in Manhattan, where she earned a degree in European and architectural history in 1962. While at Barnard, she met Andy Stewart, a Yale law student, and the two married in 1961 and had a daughter, Alexis. Stewart went to work as a stockbroker for the boutique firm of Monness, Williams, and Sidel. She worked on Wall Street until 1972, when the family moved to Westport, Connecticut. Stewart decided to focus her energy on gourmet cooking, starting a catering business in the late 1970s, and soon became known for her gourmet menus and unique, creative presentation. Within a decade, Martha Stewart, Inc., had grown into a $1 million business serving a number of corporate and celebrity clients. Stewart expanded into the world of publishing with her first book, Entertaining, which became a bestseller and was followed in quick succession by such publications as Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus, Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres, Martha Stewart's Christmas and Martha Stewart's Wedding Planner. Her marriage to Andy ended in divorce in 1990. In 1991, Martha Stewart, Inc., became Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., with the release of her magazine, Martha Stewart Living. Stewart's lifestyle empire soon grew to include two magazines, a checkout-size recipe publication, a popular cable television show, a syndicated newspaper column, a series of how-to books, a radio show, an Internet site and $763 million in annual retail sales. On October 19, 1999 Stewart returned to Wall Street to see her company through its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Stewart herself controls 96 percent of the voting shares in her company and is worth $1.2 billion. In 2002, Stewart made financial headlines for rumors of insider trading. In 2004 a jury found her guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements. Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison and fined $30,000. Stewart was released from prison on March 4, 2005. Her self-titled syndicated daytime program ran from 2005 to 2012. Stewart continues to be a television presence.
From the 2013 PBS Documentary “Makers: Women Who Make America”, examines how women have helped shape America over the past 150 years, striving for a full and fair share of political power and economic opportunity.
Subscribe for access to interviews, series, films, and educational materials that address issues of social justice, history, politics, the arts, and culture by spotlighting relatable human stories of purpose and meaning. Learn about our work and how to support our mission here: www.lifestories.org/. For extended versions of these interviews and more, visit: / @lifestoriesinterviewa...
Follow us on Instagram: / lifestoriesinterviews
Martha Stewart, Author & Businesswoman
Interview Date: September 20, 2011
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:10 Childhood
07:36 Education
13:10 Marriage
15:15 Wall Street
20:46 Building a business
25:30 Finding success
28:22 Appealing to the modern woman
31:10 The Martha Rules
33:02 Martha and Friends
33:40 Martha Stewart Living
34:38 The women’s movement
39:57 Tips for success
42:00 Advice
43:39 Q&A
©Kunhardt Productions & McGee Media. All rights reserved.
#MarthaStewartInterview #KunhardtFilmFoundation

[@Drchandlercaldwell]

Martha Stewart inspires me to prevail as a woman.

[@yvonneplant9434]

She didn't try to get out of going to prison. Something other people, who break the law , should remember.

[@mariannefaulkner3445]

@@yvonneplant9434 She did what it would take to Not Allow media to continue without the facts. Smart response on her parts.

[@Majorhavoktv]

Martha inspires me as a man in his 50s!

[@catherinesmith9820]

This is the best sit-down interview with Ms. Stewart I have ever seen. Thank you for posting this.

[@vibe80118]

Watching this interview I feel more than ever Martha is worthy of the "icon" status she has achieved.

[@peacenow4456]

Filmed in 2011... Just LOVE Martha, truly an inspiring ICON!! She was born a mogul! If your partner can't be supportive, get a new one. Men who don't respect a woman's intellect are resentful. Alexis, who presents as deeply resentful in an immature, bratty way with detachment, has no idea what Martha gave up to be her stay at home Mom, so much so she went off to boarding school to avoid her mother. I hope you've grown up in your attitude now, and be at your Mom's elbow to learn from her, time is running out. Martha really found her calling, and recreated herself while at home... To have a spouse who won't help make a home is terrible. Alexis should be so proud of her Mom who had all this trail blazing creativity in her. Why should she have given that up at all? I did the same thing, suppressed my creativity and opportunities for it and to this day I mourn the loss of that possible life, my own, outside being a mother. My son will never understand what I gave up to put him first, as it should be, but I too wanted it all. Thank you Martha for persevering!!

[@ahimsahome]

My prayer is that we go backwards to go forwards. What Martha is saying is so important. We must not let technology be our source... working with our hands and creativity is where true happiness and satisfaction is. Love you Martha~!

[@janismarler3945]

Thank you Martha for elevating homemaking. You are an inspiration and encouragement.

[@liondragon1976]

How can you not love this woman

[@mariannefaulkner3445]

This woman is an inspiration to all especially women. She has the capacity to care for many and does it.

[@calebjohnson336]

An Absolutely Remarkable Gift To The World 😊❤

[@RaymondBrown-xw4cj]

MY GIRL MARTHA! THE ONLY REAL CELEBRITY IN THE US!

[@KeVonBouVie]

I wish I could sit down with Mrs.Martha Stewart for some postive entrepreneurial advice

[@leiladarling4495]

Thank you, Martha My best friend in school was also called Martha! You mention that your divorse had happened in the midst of your sucess when ha closed that door while you arrived triunfant with glorious results. Well, my divorse came because I stayed doing homekeeping and I truly compromised every step of the way.My husband kept ours/his money, became powerful and he abandoned me and my son with nothing. So, this world is almost full of_____ weird people. God Bless!

[@annaapplebush5316]

You are an inspiration and a role model Martha!

[@MyBashfulLife]

Excellent interview. Ms. Stewart's influence is felt and seen in everything around us. She is an Icon that may never be matched.

[@leeannoconnor2739]

My Mom introduced me to Martha when she published her first book. Martha has added so much pleasure to my home life. Thank you Martha!

[@lynnsalberg5647]

So interesting. What an accomplished woman! When I want to compliment a host, I say you remind me of Martha Stewart ! I can’t think of a nicer compliment to give some one .

[@qhride1]

Doesn't she look fantastic ! love everything about Martha its like a cosy blanket , a pair of fluffy slippers and a warm cup of coco on a cold day, so calming and comforting to listen to her voice,

[@velkolpacki4611]

Martha is a wonderful role model.

[@ColleenDevey]

Martha is the queen of domestic and business life. She has help woman clain thier power in thier homes. I love her words in this interview.

[@grettalemabouchou6779]

Fascinating. I love Martha bc her standards are high......very inspirational.❤ Thank you Madame, for dignifying homekeeping.

[@cindyhorn5786]

Martha is one of my faves. She is smart, gifted, and I’m proud that I’m a lot like her!

[@user-ed7wj9my2j]

Are your arms long also.

[@midnight-bz4dy]

"...practicing what she was going to write about..." clever, clever Martha!!

[@Nutbelly123]

She reminds of my strongest boss Cheri Corsiglia that led me into opening my mind then into owning three restaurants. I would drop it all to work for Martha today. Cheri gave me thick skin and strong work ethic with not forgetting to have a bit of fun personality for the love of yourself and team

[@gregorycharles3431]

Best Martha interview ever! Its inspiring!

[@rekanagy4609]

This woman is outstanding ❤

[@jc2delaga]

What a lady...I'm definitely signing up to her Master Class. I need her. She's witty, pretty, fabulous, serious, n fun. Right ✅️ on 👊💪🧡

[@Alexislim777]

Thanks for the advice.

[@louisemoore7715]

She fulfilled the advice from her father..."Set your sights high, and go for it."

[@saraguinzberg5813]

I admire Martha so so much !!

[@gregoryambres1897]

Can you imagine being a successful caterer, with all that that implies, in an era before cell phones?

[@phillipmoore6249]

She is 82!!! Looks great

[@margoquintana2283]

You know she's had a facelift, don't you?

[@bettychauvette5977]

This is an interview from 2011. She is beautiful and talented and is a real inspiration! Well done Martha.

[@marcathens2951]

@@margoquintana2283 just had to bring that up ? If u had her $ I'm sure u would too.

[@rnswann6324]

Great interview!

[@jman3254]

She definitely has the gift of gab and is infinitely well-spoken, not to mention all of the other talents that she possesses. This was very interesting to watch.

[@honeymayfair-rt9tc]

🥂👏👏she is so beautiful

[@lianelindsey1407]

Loved Martha’s mom!

[@TracyGalligan]

I love Nutley! Such a great town ♥️

[@Adventurando]

She’s so fabulous

[@Jayhuckster]

I loved this, and I loved seeing Martha a bit more genuine, but I don't appreciate the fact that she doesn't seem to realize MANY MANY people work very hard, some towards a life-long dream, who will never see the success that she has had. I wish she had done more to help the American public understand that hard work is good, but OFTEN there is a great deal of luck involved in "making it", and how important networking is - it is often WHO you know and when you know them, and sometimes, hard work isn't even a factor in someone's success. the sad fact of our society is that it's still the 1% who hold the majority of the wealth in this country, and THIS kind of inequity will not last long

[@marjoriecohn3868]

I wonder if Martha had a mentor helping her....... or great connections, PR, or all. I mean, how does someone open a catering business and end up catering events at the Met, MOMA, etc. Astounding career.

[@jcamisa50]

Great intrrview.

[@carolynstewart8465]

A mindful life lived!❤

[@gracemadej5564]

She is gorgeous

[@BC1.2.3]

She reminds me of another great self-made businesswoman Madame CJ Walker, who became the first female multimillionaire. ❤

[@ferrocinque3938]

She was 72 years old here

[@joejackson3415]

Perfectionism is also my way, suffers me and changed careers etc. We are much alike and I think wisdom guides us. I have managed to do well also but takes great passive nature and dedicated work nature friend. Pappse is what I'm called lately 😂. 😎💋

[@gracemadej5564]

Love her not because she is polish ❤😊❤

[@larrywakeman4371]

WhenI first saw her my mother said, "AND SHE'S POLISH HERITAGE LIKE US!!!! U thought it was so cool! 1984 !! I was a teen! Kim

[@MarieA787]

Love it ❤❤❤

[@freeandfabulous4310]

Martha is gorgeous, too!

[@JordanKent814]

QUEEN

[@thefilmrecap9409]

SHE'S 81 GUYS WOWWW

[@hutchviews]

Not in this video.

[@user-jd6ym7bi6c]

She looks damn good for 81!

[@Lkristina65]

Style success And JAIL

[@rathm017]

Today over 38% percent of U.S. households make under $250 a day, which Martha singly (not household) says at ~12:59 "sounds like nothing now," and she was making that much as a part-time supplement to her scholarship money while in college many years ago.

[@purpleperegrine7295]

If I’ve ever needed inspo to be a strong woman it’s now.

[@morningglorify]

What's that noise? Oh right...all of the identity politics zombies screaming at their phones. Martha Stewart is a global role model for so many. Dream big, work hard. Actually do.

[@joejackson3415]

Fox you are 😊.

[@jeanlaubenthal698]

Equal pay for equal work.

[@joejackson3415]

Brown Forman going out and world coming back in friend ❤.

[@user-jd6ym7bi6c]

What did we do before Martha?

[@janetcorey5102]

Martha was and still so successful at what ever she did, but her biggest creation Alexa she left behind with a nanny and off to boarding school. I respect Martha but don’t understand🌺

[@tjaryma]

and then she criminally underestimated the Internet.

[@FreshGrey-pm4vw]

sometimes I think its much easier to be an ambitious money maker than it is to be a kind human being.

[@ldebrobander]

Felon....

[@howieroarke]

Sorry, but 13 years after this was filmed $250/day is still pretty good money, especially for a university student. Out of touch maybe?

[@pagosabob10]

Did she go to prison for fraud?

[@karenlehn2351]

What does Martha Stewart and Nancy Pelosi,have in common( inside trading)

[@CM-sy3to]

Nope. Martha and Nancy Pelosi have nothing in common besides deep set eyes.

[@Lucia-sk1rj]

"But also Martha Stewart" narcissistic much?

[@txzen-com]

She uses as many amazing superlatives as Trump