Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Martha Stewart

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Martha Stewart made an impact.

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, writer, and television personality best known as the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Her empire encompasses publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce. She achieved widespread success through her books, Martha Stewart Living magazine, and television programs like Martha Stewart Living and The Martha Stewart Show. Though her career experienced a setback due to a conviction, Stewart rebuilt her brand and continues to be a prominent figure in the world of home and hospitality.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1967: Second Career as a Stockbroker

In 1967, Martha Stewart began a second career as a stockbroker, following her father-in-law's profession. This marked a shift in her professional life.

1976: Start of Catering Business

In 1976, Martha Stewart started a catering business in her basement with Norma Collier. This marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial ventures in the food industry.

1977: Catering The Secret Book of Gnomes Release Party

In 1977, Martha Stewart's company catered the book release party for The Secret Book of Gnomes. There, she was introduced to Alan Mirken, who later offered her a cookbook deal.

December 13, 1982: Release of 'Entertaining'

On December 13, 1982, Martha Stewart's first book, Entertaining, was released. The cookbook, ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes, featured recipes and photos from parties Stewart hosted.

Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations

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1983: Release of Martha Stewart's Quick Cook

In 1983, Martha Stewart released Martha Stewart's Quick Cook. This book was one of many she published under the Clarkson Potter imprint.

Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus

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1984: Release of Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres

In 1984, Martha Stewart released Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres. This book was among her publications under the Clarkson Potter imprint.

Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook

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1985: Release of Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts

In 1985, Martha Stewart released Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts. This cookbook was part of her series published under the Clarkson Potter imprint.

Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favorites: A Baking Book

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1987: Release of Weddings

In 1987, Martha Stewart released Weddings, a book that was ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes. It was published under the Clarkson Potter imprint.

Weddings

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1988: Releases of The Wedding Planner, Secrets for Entertaining and Quick Cook Menus

In 1988, Martha Stewart released The Wedding Planner, Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining, and Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus. These books were part of her series published under the Clarkson Potter imprint.

Martha Stewart Weddings: Ideas and Inspiration

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1989: Release of Martha Stewart's Christmas

In 1989, Martha Stewart released Martha Stewart's Christmas. This book was one of her publications under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint.

Martha Stewart's Christmas

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1990: Development of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 1990, Martha Stewart signed with Time Publishing Ventures to develop a new magazine, Martha Stewart Living, for which she served as editor-in-chief. This marked a significant expansion of her brand into publishing.

1993: Start of Martha Stewart Living TV Program

In 1993, Martha Stewart began a weekly half-hour television program, also called Martha Stewart Living, based on her magazine. This marked her entry into television broadcasting.

September 1997: Formation of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In September 1997, Martha Stewart, with the assistance of Sharon Patrick, secured funding to purchase television, print, and merchandising ventures, consolidating them into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO). This was a major step in organizing her brand.

1997: Expansion of Martha Stewart Living TV Program

In 1997, the weekly half-hour television program Martha Stewart Living expanded to weekdays. This signified the growing popularity and demand for her television show.

October 19, 1999: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Goes Public

On October 19, 1999, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO. The initial public offering was set at US$18 per share.

1999: Expansion to Full Hour TV Show

In 1999, Martha Stewart Living expanded to a full hour show on weekdays, with half-hour episodes on weekends. This expansion reflected the show's continued success and popularity.

February 2002: Stock Price Decline

By February 2002, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's stock price had slowly decreased to $16 per share. She maintained 96% control of voting power in the company.

2002: Peak Circulation of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 2002, Martha Stewart Living magazine reached its peak circulation at more than 2 million copies per issue, demonstrating the success of the publication.

2004: End of Martha Stewart Living TV Program

In 2004, Martha Stewart Living, the television program which began in 1993, ran until its end. She also starred in holiday specials on CBS.

2005: Start of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2005, Martha Stewart began hosting a syndicated television program called The Martha Stewart Show. This show was another significant venture in her broadcasting career.

2006: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Returns to Profitability

In 2006, Martha Stewart's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, returned to profitability after her comeback campaign following her prison term.

2011: Rejoining MSLO Board of Directors

In 2011, Martha Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. This marked a significant step in her return to leadership within the company.

2012: Becoming Chairwoman of MSLO Again

In 2012, Martha Stewart became chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia again. This signified her complete return to a leadership position within the company.

2012: End of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2012, The Martha Stewart Show, which had been running since 2005, came to an end. The show was a syndicated television program hosted by Martha Stewart.

2015: Acquisition of MSLO by Sequential Brands

In 2015, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was acquired by Sequential Brands. This acquisition marked a change in ownership for the company.

April 2019: Sale of MSLO to Marquee Brands

In April 2019, Sequential Brands Group agreed to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments. The sale represented another shift in the brand's ownership.

2019: Entry into Cannabis Industry

In 2019, it was reported that Martha Stewart was entering the cannabis industry with her own brand. This marked a new venture into a different market sector.