Naval Baroness of the 1600's

Margaret Hardenbroeck was a woman ahead of her time.

Born in 1623, she made a name for herself as a successful businesswoman in a time when such a thing was virtually unheard of. After years serving as an agent for her cousin’s shipping business, she married merchant Peter DeVries in 1659 and had a daughter, Eva. 

After DeVries’ death, Margaret inherited his business, and conducted trans-Atlantic trade on her own as a “she-merchant,” acquiring additional ships as well as real estate in New York and New Jersey with her profits.

Like all entrepreneurs, she faced numerous constraints within which she had to navigate.

Just as her trading company was growing, the British took over New Netherlands resulting in a significant loss of rights for the women of the colony. Margaret responded with a strategic marriage to Frederick Philipse, international shipping and trading business could be bolstered by her fleet of ships.

There will always be constraints. Sometimes it’s talent, sometimes its capital, and sometimes it will be imposed on you by institutions.

The only way out is to pragmatically fight through the complexity. There are spoils waiting for you on the other side.

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