Assignment 27A - Reading Reflection No. 3

Coco Chanel: An intimate Life

What surprised you the most?

As simple as it sounds, I was most surprised to learn that Gabrielle Chanel (Coco) started her business in 1910 while she was only 27 years young.

What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?

I admire that Coco Chanel was persistent and relentless in her efforts to grow her business. Which eventually paid off as she continued to succeed and add new products.

What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?

What I did not admire about Coco Chanel was that she had relations with members of the Nazi military. I feel like this was not appropriate given her elite status and her loyalty to her country.

Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?

Coco Chanel faced many adversities when she was younger and throughout her life. I believe the most impactful adversity was being raised in an orphanage by nuns. She was able to learn to sew which in return made a bad situation the key to her career success.

What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited?

Coco Chanel was most notably tenacious. She did not let anything stop her and she always persevered. She did take advantage of some situations which in the end benefited her success.  She was bold and not afraid to take risks.

Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I do not understand why Coco Chanel wanted her memoirs and diaries to be erased.  

If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

I would ask Coco Chanel why she felt that the breaking of social norms in the fashion world would be a success.

What do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?

I believe Coco Chanel’s opinion of hard work was doing whatever she could to get ahead.