OPINION: From The Grio’s “Masters of the Game,” the founder of Carol’s Daughter discusses how appearing on Oprah’s show changed the course of her business.
The Power of The Oprah Winfrey Show for Small Businesses
Appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show was a dream for many small business owners due to Oprah’s influence. Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter, was set to be featured in Oprah Magazine but faced disappointment when the opportunity fell through. However, this setback led to something greater: a chance to appear on Oprah’s show in 2002. During the segment, Oprah mentioned loving Carol’s Daughter’s foot cream—although they didn’t have one. The overwhelming response crashed Price’s website, demonstrating both the power and challenge of Oprah’s endorsement.
Turning a Setback into an Opportunity
Lisa Price’s story of resilience is a reminder that disappointments can lead to bigger opportunities. Despite the canceled magazine feature, Price didn’t give up. A year later, she got an even better opportunity to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show, exposing her brand to millions of viewers. When Oprah praised Carol’s Daughter’s foot cream—though it didn’t yet exist—the overwhelming demand showed the potential and challenges of sudden success.
The Impact of Oprah’s Endorsement
Oprah’s mention of Carol’s Daughter’s products led to an influx of traffic, crashing the company’s website. Price learned firsthand the power of Oprah’s recommendation, which catapulted her business into the spotlight. Although this created some immediate problems, such as product demand and website capacity, it ultimately helped solidify Carol’s Daughter as a trusted brand.
