Martha Matilda Harper

Pioneered the franchise business model and empowered women through entrepreneurship in the late 19th century.

Martha Matilda Harper (1857–1950) revolutionized the business world by creating the first-ever franchise system, a groundbreaking concept that laid the foundation for modern franchising. Born into poverty in Canada, she worked as a domestic servant for 25 years before launching The Harper Method in 1888. Her innovative approach allowed women to own and operate hair salons using her products and techniques, providing economic independence during an era when female entrepreneurship was rare.

Harper's salons emphasized hygiene and customer care, introducing reclining shampoo chairs and standardized training. By 1920, over 500 Harper salons operated globally, managed primarily by women. She also invented one of the first commercially successful hair tonics, challenging male-dominated industries. Her legacy lives on through franchises like McDonald's, which adopted her model decades later.