Self Made Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1

Self Made season 1 episode 1, "Episode 1," is a historical drama that offers a glimpse into the life of Madam C.J. Walker, the first African-American woman to become a self-made millionaire in the United States. The series, which is based on a book by Walker's great-great-granddaughter, explores the entrepreneur's struggles and successes as she built a haircare empire in the early 1900s.

The episode opens with a glimpse of Walker's life before she became a successful businesswoman. We meet her as Sarah Breedlove, a washerwoman in St. Louis who struggles to make ends meet for herself and her daughter, Lelia. Despite her best efforts, Sarah's hair is falling out due to the harsh chemicals she uses to straighten it. When she hears about a new product that promises to promote hair growth, Sarah decides to give it a try.

Sarah's experience with the hair product leads her to become an agent for the company, selling their products door-to-door. She proves to be a natural salesperson, able to convince women that the products will make their hair healthier and more beautiful. But despite her success, Sarah isn't satisfied. She knows that the products she's selling don't work for all hair types, particularly for women with textured hair like hers. She dreams of creating her own line of hair products that will work for all women.

Sarah's resolve to start her own business is strengthened when she attends a lecture by Booker T. Washington, who encourages African Americans to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them. Sarah is inspired by his words, but knows that she needs capital to start a business. She turns to Annie Malone, another African-American entrepreneur who has built a successful haircare empire. Malone agrees to take Sarah on as a protégé and teach her the secrets of the business.

The mentorship between Sarah and Malone is complicated by a variety of factors. Malone is jealous of Sarah's success and sees her as a threat to her empire. Malone is also light-skinned, while Sarah is dark-skinned, which creates tension between the two women. Sarah is also dealing with personal issues, including an absentee husband who is mostly interested in her money. All of these factors make it difficult for Sarah to focus on her own business, but she remains determined to succeed.

Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of the racial and social conditions of the time. Sarah and her daughter face discrimination in their personal lives and Sarah faces skepticism in her business dealings. But despite the challenges, Sarah continues to push forward, always looking for ways to improve her products and reach more customers.

The first episode sets up the central conflict of the series: Sarah's desire to succeed in business while navigating the complex relationships and cultural barriers of the time. It also establishes the themes of the series, including the importance of mentorship, the power of perseverance, and the impact of race and gender on business success.

Overall, "Episode 1" is a compelling and well-acted introduction to the story of Madam C.J. Walker. The episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, which promises to be a fascinating exploration of one woman's journey to achieve the American Dream.