Martha, Martha, Martha

If you were to ask me who my inspiration is, I’d tell you, without hesitation, that it’s Martha Stewart. She’s an incredible businesswoman and writer who built her career from the ground up. Martha paved the way for other women to carve out profitable careers in the business sphere. 

Sure, she’s had her low moments. Martha’s conviction for obstruction of justice/lying to investigators and prison sentence in 2005 could’ve undoubtedly upended her career. It also could have been a blight on anything she did from there on out. To me, that’s an obvious “rock bottom” moment. However, like a phoenix rising from the homemaker ashes, Martha’s comeback solidified her as a mainstay in the business world. She can’t be knocked down that easily. 

Her perseverance and ability to bounce back are so admirable. Less than a year after serving her sentence, her company returned to profitability. She went on to write more books, appear on TV, host an hour-long daytime show, launch a line of houses (yes, houses), produce a wine brand, host a slew of cooking and gardening shows, and start a podcast. Is there anything Martha can’t do? 

Then, of course, there’s a particular friendship and working relationship she’s perhaps best known for among the younger generations: her frequent collaborations with Snoop Dogg. In 2016, they hosted a VH1 series called Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. They also starred in a Super Bowl commercial in 2017. Their partnership is absolutely fantastic. Perhaps her bond with Snoop inspired her to join Canopy Growth (CGC) in 2019, a Canadian marijuana company, as an adviser. 

Recently, Martha posed as a cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming the oldest model to grace the cover at 81 years young. She’s a total badass enjoying her later years and aging gracefully while doing it. Beauty comes with age. 

Notice how there’s a double standard in the media regarding men and women and how they age? While men are called “distinguished,” women are simply “old.” We desperately need to eradicate that misogynistic, sexist standard. I think Martha’s well on her way to doing just that. 

I really admire Martha Stewart. A woman who moves through life with flexibility and curiosity, confidently pursues her dreams, embarks on many adventures, and befriends Snoop. Well, that last one might be a little harder to achieve.