Lillian Vernon had no formal business training but that didn’t stop her from starting her own business selling mail-order handbags out of her kitchen. An ad placed in Seventeen magazine for personalized purses and belts would lead to a multi-million dollar operation. Vernon would later become the first female-founded company on the American Stock Exchange. Sponsors! Halo Top - Halo Top is available nationwide. Find your pint at HaloTop.com. Follow them on social media @halotopcreamery. Ritual - Go to Ritual.com/WOMEN to sign up and learn more about Ritual vitamins. The Great Courses Plus - Get a full month of unlimited access to The Great Courses Plus for FREE at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/Women.