Judi Henderson-Townsend: 1st Life – Account Executive, 2nd Life – Mannequin Madame

                                                                                                                         (Photo-Senior Entrepreneurship Works) 

Judi's Garden

We’ve all worked with dummies at one time or another but not by choice…except for Judi Henderson-Townsend.  She surrounds herself with them, mannequins that is.  What started out as a single purchase of something decorative for her garden ended up as a family business, Mannequin Madness, with two warehouses, one on each coast.   Judi - and now her husband too - repair, rent, sell and blog about mannequins.  They also recycle over 100,000 pounds of those
made of non-biodegradable materials a year and that has earned her several environmental awards. Previously, Judi’s career had been bouncing back and forth between several corporations and startups.  Some thought she was mad to take on such a challenge.  Judi never dreamed that an avocation would result in a successful business and entrée into the retail industry with customers such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Sear’s, Nike, Kohl's, Ralph Lauren and Bloomingdales. What a real lucky stiff!

Judi has been featured on CNN and Oprah Magazine.  Her success and how she did it has been written up in more depth at Senior Entrepreneurship Works and Encore.   You can also get to know her better by viewing this video by The Story Exchange (also below).