Paul Newman: Portrait of a Successful Oscar Winner and Entrepreneur

It doesn't matter who you are, what your current career is, or how old you are, it is never too late to go into business for yourself. This has been proven by actor Paul Newman, who after years of being a Hollywood icon, went on to become just as successful in the business world with his line of food products made with all natural ingredients, Newman's Own. After years of being one of the most popular screen actors in the world, not to mention one of the most adored by women because of those blue eyes, he made the switch from actor to entrepreneur, and had no trouble marrying the two careers successfully. The Early Years Like most people in the movie industry, success did not come easy to Paul Newman. His first movie was so terrible that he actually paid for a full page newspaper advertisement to apologize to those who had paid to see the film. He would then vacillate between the New York stage and the big screen in Hollywood, before he started receiving roles in such classics as A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Cool Hand Luke and many more. During his acting career, Newman received three Oscar Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award, as well as numerous others. He also went on to writing and directing in later years. After Hollywood Today, Newman's name is synonymous with food products. In 1982, he founded Newman's Own, and had a variety of products to offer consumers. From salsa to salad dressing to pasta sauce and even lemonade and popcorn, Newman's Own products are all made from natural ingredients, and are a healthy alte ative to some of the other choices that are available. Originally, Newman's Own was not expected to grow to such a large corporation, and was supposed to be a much smaller operation, with expected annual sales of less than $1,500. The company has since grown by leaps and bounds, and in 1993, Newman's daughter, Nell Newman, started her own division of Newman's Own, calling it Newman's Own Organics. Now, if you are thinking that Newman was being greedy to want to have a large business after amassing a fortune as a movie actor. Well, think again. One of the truly wonderful thing about the Newman's Own line is the fact that all of the profits from the sales of all products go directly to charity (more than $300,000,000 to date). Many charities have benefited from the generosity of this actor turned entrepreneur, including the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children who are very ill. Newman himself founded this organization, which serves more than 13,0000 sick children each and every year. If you are thinking that it would be impossible to just switch from your current career to starting your own business, just take a look at Paul Newman. He could have been content to remain an actor/director/writer, but, he wanted to give something back to the community, and decided that the best way to do so was to start his own company. If he can make such a drastic career change, why can't you? All it takes is one great idea and the desire to succeed, and you will be on your way to being a successful entrepreneur too.