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SUCCESSFUL: Oprah Winfrey and Daymond John

IT IS truly amazing to observe how far the black community has come during the past 100 years.

While at one time considered to be nothing more than a societal fringe element, black entrepreneurs have had a massive impact upon the entire world. Whether referring to those who leverage the power of modern ecommerce platforms or individuals who have become household names, the simple fact of the matter is that our presence is here to stay.

We take a look at some of the most iconic movers and shakers of these modern times as well as some of their primary elements of success.

Entertainment icons

Oprah Winfrey

In terms of entertainment, Oprah Winfrey is certainly one of our top picks. Initially starting out as a relatively unknown news anchor, this one-person dynamo - who today celebrates her 65th birthday - has imprinted her brand across the globe.

Not only is she known for her hugely successful talk show, but she is also the CEO of Harpo, Inc. Her success makes it even more interesting to consider that she was once fired from a news station early in her career due to the fact that she was considered to be "unfit for television".

Denzel Washington

This powerhouse actor first made his name known on the television dramaSt. Elsewhere before moving onto pick up an Oscar for the critically-acclaimed film Glory.

He has consistently attributed this truly stellar level of success to his upbringing as well as a direct result of a handful of influential teachers early in life. He has gone in to star in dozens of films and such a light is not set to fade away anytime soon.

Digital pioneers

Daymond John

Daymond John is one of the those names which might not be overly familiar at first glance. However, one mention of the clothing brand Fubu makes it clear that this entrepreneur knows how to run a business.

Originally opened in 1989, this clothing line has gone on to sell millions of products around the world. He has now taken the very same skills into the digital community to reach an even larger target base than would have been possible two decades ago.

Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder of Act 1 Employment Group; an agency associated with more than one billion dollars of revenue generation each and every year.

According to her memoirs, she originally moved to Los Angeles, California with less than $900 dollars in her pocket and absolutely no idea how she would transform a dream into a reality. It is now clear that success does not require a massive bankroll.

Looking at these inspirational figures is sure to motivate many after seeing their humble beginnings and astounding success. Could you soon appear on a similar list? Well anything is possible if you possess the proper motivation and if you’re equipped with powerful online e-commerce tools such as those associated with Shopify.

Whether you are trying to reinvent the wheel or you are keen on marketing a highly successful product, success could very well be much closer than you may initially believe.

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