Women entrepreneurs were still rare when Lise Watier launched her Montreal-based cosmetics company in 1972. But Watier knew makeup: In the late '60s, she had opened a beauty school for women and spent years as a TV writer and host. Lise Watier Cosmetics has grown into an international brand, with $35 million in sales last year.
"Hardly anyone believed I should launch a company. But that negativity was good motivation because I wanted to prove them wrong. I had two major influences: people who believed in me and people who didn't. Both helped me. If you have any doubts, you're not ready. Follow your instincts. Be determined. Don't doubt."—As told to Diane Jermyn
