Mar 30, 2022
“I have two choices every day when I get up—one is happy, one is unhappy. I don’t like unhappy. So, I try to make the best of every single day.” Florine Mark
Denise talks to Florine Mark, a lover of Detroit, entrepreneur and philanthropist who brought Weight Watchers (WW) to Michigan after she tried the program, having always struggled with her weight. After being denied a bank loan because she was a woman, she convinced WW with her positive attitude and self-belief to make her a loan of $5,000 to start her business. She went on to be the largest franchise holder expanding her business in the United States, Mexico and Canada—worth billions.
Although she never graduated from college, she’s most proud to have put all her sisters, her own children and nieces and nephews through college. She may have grown up poor, but she was always loved and never criticized at home for being fat. The kids at school, however, were not so kind.
What are her secrets to overcoming adversity? Be good to yourself. Exercise. Eat well. Spend time with friends and loved ones. Thank people. Her methods for dealing with life’s challenges are highly effective, even if simple. Always affirm the positive. She loves to have a good cry when she feels like it (maybe beat up a pillow) and then moves on!
She’s equally devoted to her family and to everything she sets her mind to. So now that she’s in her 80’s, enjoying life every day, she’s got a podcast, sits on many boards and spends time with her family. Florine tells a wonderful, heartwarming story of her favorite Detroit moment.
It’s no wonder she’s written a book, Talk to the Mirror: Feel Great About Yourself Each and Every Day, which you can find wherever books are sold.
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Florine Mark is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and motivational speaker. She was the largest Weight Watchers International franchise holder, the first to bring the program to Michigan, expanding in the Midwest, Mexico, and Canada. Having recently sold her empire, she continues to serve as a Weight Watchers Ambassador. In 2001, she was elected to the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She has served on many Boards and was listed among the “100 Most Influential Women in Detroit” by Crain’s Detroit Business and one of the “50 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World.” Florine was the first female recipient of the Neil Shine Lifetime Achievement Award. She generously shares her time and experience with many organizations including Children's Hospital of Michigan, Business Leaders of Michigan and Detroit Regional Chamber. Although she never graduated from college, she holds several honorary degrees for her remarkable service to society.
LISTEN to her show, Today’s Takeaway with Florine Mark, wherever you get your podcasts.
Denise Ilitch, an owner of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit’s business and philanthropic community for over 40 years. As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world. Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents.
FOLLOW DENISE @thedeniseilitchshow
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