An iconic image: Martha trying "to focus on my salad"Remember the wave of business scandal the plagued many of the powerful and well-known American companies only a few years ago? Yes, as everyone knows, this wave of scandal even touched an iconic person that caught many people by surprise and caused a national sensation in the process: Martha Stewart. If anyone has leaped into the annals of global culture by making the largest impact on the way people live, cook, decorate, and entertain, then Martha Stewart is certainly somewhere toward the very top of the list. But do you remember that on this day in 2002, Martha made that famous clenched-face appearance on the cooking segment of CBS's The Early Morning Show? Martha grimly chopped cabbage with an enormous knife during that segment while host Jane Clayson ambushed and angered her with questions about her alleged insider trading of ImClone stock. It was very apparent that Martha did have a sour side and showed it in front of the camera (all the rumors about Martha's nasty iron side that had circulated for years before was now confirmed). To read more about that memorable TV event, click
here.Yes - as many people predicted - Martha made a quick and highly successful comeback after her prison sentence ended in early 2005. However, only three years after the fact, it is rumored by many experts that Martha and the lifestyle she advocates is past prime and seems to be slowly fading toward black. A good clue to this is the stock in her company. Have you looked at shares of
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia lately? The price per share has significantly dropped over the past year. Could this be the beginning of possibly another end for Martha? Can she survive another comeback? I guess the jury is still out on that one!As a business student, the Martha Stewart company is a fascinating study in how one woman became a modern day alchemist by turning cookies and decorating into serious cash - all from the comforts of her own home. Martha is definitely the legendary and iconic entrepreneur. As a Guy, however, when it comes to decorating and cooking, I can find better deals by stopping by my local Big Lots and Wal-Mart stores. Sorry Martha!
