“MODEL WOMAN EILEEN FORD” by Robert Lacey

Eileen Ford was considered “the empress of American modeling”.
Together with her husband, she created the famous modeling agency FORD in 1947, and in 2007 it was sold for the sum of 50 million dollars.

Of course, in those times, nobody expected women to work, but only to become housewives.
“For some reason, I always expected that I would be earning my living when I grew up. I never expected anything different. My father expected me to aim high- and so did my mother.”

Eileen was fortunate to do this because:
“I never doubted that I was adored. My mother and father had been waiting six years before I came along, and I think their love for me was the source of my self-confidence. I never doubted that I could do anything.”

The reason why the FORD modeling agency was different in comparison with other agencies was attributed to Eileen’s attitude. Eileen knew how to take care of her female models; she fought for them and helped them get rich.
Together with her husband, they revolutionized the industry where female models were usually underpaid. They developed a system that allowed the models to receive money for working overtime or for cancellation of work due to bad weather.
In the end, female models became better paid than the male models.

“Eileen principles for business success: set yourself clear goals, don’t let other people push you off course, never oversell things, never burn your bridges.”

Even though it seems she had it all: businesswoman, wife, and mother, she honestly explained that:

“Bringing up my children was the most important thing that I would ever do.
And I am delighted to share the secret of raising good children when you are running a business- get good help.”

Kindle, 2015