13A - Reading Reflection

Reading Reflection

Coco Chanel by Lisa Chaney

• What surprised you the most?
• It was interesting to see how much Gabrielle Chanel's childhood had such an impact on her. Both her parents left her siblings and her at different points of her life. Her mother's death and the lack of family support left Gabrielle distraught and scarred for most of her childhood. It was surprising to see that she would even pay people not to speak of her past in the public. 
• What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?
• I admire that despite her background, she still able to rise above it. Allowing her to become one of the most influential women of her time. Her journey is an encouragement other women who are trying to pursue the career of entrepreneurship especially in the retail/ fashion industry. 
• What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?
• Though I understand that her childhood took a huge toll on her life, I would have wished that she'd had be more honest with her story from the beginning. It would have been a reminder to other women especially those who had a tough upbringing like hers that they too could rise above.
• Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?
• Though Coco faced many adversity and failure in her career, I think the biggest one was moving past her childhood. I think with her need to want to independent from others was her driving force to pursue the life she always wanted.  
•  What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? 
• Coco Chanel was a driven individual. She refused to give up until her work was complete. Though a lot of it had to do with her pride, Coco did not allow others to belittle her like Arthur did.
• She was also very creative. She found ways to attract her consumers and was consistently strive to improve her work.

• Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.
• I have always been one to read the prologue. I think that it was confusing for me to figure out what was going on between Arthur and her. I found myself asking was this the very moment she decided to make her "fantasy" a reality or just a piece of the puzzle. 
•  If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?
• Did you ever forgive your parents for what they did to you?
• Why was she so prideful with her work? My follow up question would be if whether or not this attitude of hers originated from her childhood? She stated that though pride would make her suffer, it was her key to success and the secret of her strength. 
• For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?
• From this autobiography, I believe that Coco felt that the product of hard work was fortune and I do not necessarily agree. I feel that if my mentality was such, I would consistently be ridiculing myself if fortune was not the outcome. I also feel that Coco believed in non-stop work as "hard work" until the final product was finish. I believe that moderation is important; therefore, work should not consume one.