Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

Taking the next step

We'll get more into the success of Dualstar in upcoming posts, but this time I want to explore a little of the thinking of Mary-Kate and Ashley as they grew up, and as it relates to business.

What gives us the best understanding is what they did when they were 18: buy out Robert Thorne's interest in the company and go it alone.

I haven't heard one negative thing about this deal, and Thorne himself is on the record as saying, "I didn't want to stand in their way provided I was taken care of, as I was handsomely."

This tells you a couple things about Mary-Kate and Ashley. First, they were very interested and excited to run their businesses. It means they had been participating, and were genuinely interested in, making it their own as they were growing up.

Second, they handled the negotiations and pay out with Robert Thorne in an honorable way, which has created good will for them as they go forward. If they had developed a reputation of trying to screw people, they could have basically destroyed their brand at the time they took it over.

Instead, Thorne had praise for the way he was compensated, implying in his remarks that he received more than he was probably even expecting. That's the sign of people that were serious about their business and their reputations. It was also a sign that the young ladies understood business, and even at the age of 18 had good business sense.

The fact that there was no bitterness expressed by Thorne shows that even though he was the major reason they were able to extend their success while being underage, they showed their appreciation in a professional manner by making him extremely happy and compensated for his contribution to their success.

None of us make it alone, no matter how much some attempt to make it look like they have. Saying this through their negotiations with Thorne reveals the Olsens understood this, and acted accordingly.

This is important to me in that it gives you confidence that they have integrity themselves, and are good people to do business with.

It was a defining moment in their young, professional business lives, and they passed the test with flying colors.

Other Mary-Kate and Ashley Resources:

Just Asking . . . Mary-Kate Olsen

Mary-Kate Olsen talks about life, role in 'The Wackness'

Mary Kate Olsen - she wants to be alone

Olsen twins outrage animal lovers

The Tao Of Mary Kate

OLSEN TWINS (MARY-KATE AND ASHLEY) FAN PAGE

Attack of the Fashion Gremlins

Mary-Kate and Ashley Home Essentials Collection Review

Mary-Kate and Ashley Home Essentials

Official Web Site

Entire Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Series: