Janice Bryant Howroyd: From $900 to Building a Billion-Dollar Company
Janice Bryant Howroyd made history as the first Black woman to own and run a billion-dollar company, building The ActOne Group, a workforce management and staffing company serving more than 28,000 clients worldwide.
Her journey began with a visit to Los Angeles, California, and $900 borrowed from her mother.
Born in 1952, Howroyd had not planned to build a major business when she first arrived in Los Angeles to visit her older sister. However, her brother-in-law, Tom, noticed how excited she was to be in the city and encouraged her to stay longer.
She later began working with him at Billboard Magazine. Within weeks, he left her in charge of his office while he travelled on a business trip.
During his absence, Howroyd reorganised the office, managed files and made staffing decisions, including hiring and letting some employees go. Her brother-in-law was impressed by her performance and recognised her talent for managing people and operations.
He subsequently introduced her to some of his friends, who became among her first clients and helped open doors for her business journey.
Although the opportunity in Los Angeles was a turning point, Howroyd credits much of her success to the lessons she learnt growing up as one of 11 children in the segregated American South.
She described her parents as open-minded people who created an environment where their children could learn, grow and thrive despite limited financial resources and basic amenities.
“Mum and dad taught us great business lessons, life lessons… those lessons are being applied out loud today in my business,” she said.
Howroyd believes the values and lessons she acquired during childhood were more important to her development than anything she later learnt in the boardroom.
However, building her company was not without challenges. Over the years, she faced racial discrimination, economic difficulties and financial obstacles while growing her business.
Reflecting on the struggles she encountered, she said: “The biggest challenge I ever faced in building my business… was to forgive myself for being black, female and smart at the same time.”
Her story highlights how determination, early life lessons, the ability to recognise opportunities and the courage to overcome barriers can contribute to building a successful business.
Janice Bryant Howroyd: From $900 to Building a Billion-Dollar Company