13A- Reading Reflection No. 1

13A - Reading Reflection No. 1

• For my first reading reflection I read the biography of Coco Chanel by Lisa Chaney. What had surprised me the most from reading this book was her childhood and background, I always figured she was born in to a rich family but that was not the case. Her family did not have money and her parents were not involved in her life. Her mother died when she was 12 years old and her father did not support her, so he put her in an orphanage after her mother died. She spent the rest of her childhood in a catholic convent where the nuns had taught her how to sew. When she became an adult, she still had a troubled life due to her background and upbringing. Her career didn't take off until she met her first lover, who offered to help her start a business in Paris. She started out selling hats, and then opened two more stores and starting designing clothes. Gabrielle's (Coco) career didn't really take off until she had made a dress out of an old jersey and many people started asking her where she got it, she then offered to make it for them. 
• What I admire the most about Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel is that she overcame her very troubled upbringing and found her passion for design. 
• What I least admire about her is that her lover is the reason she was able to start her business. I think it is so stereotypical of her to have relied on a man to start her business. I understand she did not have the money to start her design business on her own, but I hate that her career started on the opportunity a man handed to her. Most people think women can not accomplish things without a man in their life, and I believe that is entirely not true.
• Gabrielle experienced adversity in her career because of her childhood and the fact that she grew up with no money. Her career also took several years to actually take off, but in my opinion she became one of the most influential entrepreneur's to this day.
• Her main competency was that she was determined to bring her designs to life, she was very tenacious in the fact that she never gave up until she succeeded.
• The part of the reading that was confusing to me was all the french words and places that were mentioned. I actually took french 1 and 2 while attaining my AA and I still did not understand all the french words and sayings through out the book.
• If I was able to ask Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel two questions they would be: What drove you to never give up on your designs and career? What advice would you give to someone trying to start their own business? I would ask her these questions because from taking this course, I see how difficult it is to become an entrepreneur and I am curious how people become so successful when starting their own business.
• I think Coco Chanel's opinion of hard work would be to never give up on your dream. I believe she would think hard work is necessary to be happy with yourself and your career. I support this opinion 100%.