Alice Combs
Finding Success in a Man’s World
The Book
The Lady With Balls
During the 1970s, Alice Combs, undeterred by a former employer’s snobbish pronouncement, “You’re not corporate material,” transformed herself from divorced mother on food stamps to successful entrepreneur.
Resolute, Alice overcame her initial ignorance of the recycling trade and recovered from the many novice mistakes she inevitably made while teaching herself to operate Vulcan Wire, which would slowly become a thriving business despite an embezzling partner, cutthroat competitors, and several employees who proved unreliable when they were most needed.
Alice refused to be intimidated and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Her exceptional achievement in a traditionally male arena is an inspiration for all women who aspire to the heights of success in their chosen fields.
About Alice
In the 1970’s I rose from a divorced mother on Food Stamps to a successful entrepreneur. After an employer stated, “you’re not corporate material,” my initial ignorance, and business mistakes, I founded a now healthy multi-million dollar annual sales corporation. My story begins when I leave my San Francisco Bay Area home-office to collect a customer’s overdue $5,000. I interrupt their board meeting and refuse to leave without payment. Their president drops me down the stairs. On top of my imminent financial disaster, I fear I will be called the bitch of the recycling industry. I flash back to the relinquishment of my about-to-be adopted baby, former jobs, divorce, humiliation of using food stamps, controlling mother, and the bizarre series of events that led me to become an entrepreneur in industrial baler wire, and my agony before and after I created a false IRS W-2 to acquire working capital—a felony. Eventually I receive the overdue payment and am phoned by a loyal customer who says all his fellow garbagemen are calling me “The Little Lady with Balls.” And they want me to join their garbage association. This leads to increased sales with expansion to a rented office and a saleswoman to cover Southern California. Success in business followed and grew. Also, after many poor romantic choices, I found true love.
Photo Gallery Timeline
Click the images below to view larger size and read captions.
2001 Alice, daughter Jeanette, grandchildren Savannah and Kevin looking at new grandson Jack held by daughter Julie
Inspiration
Book Alice to Speak
Alice overcame and beat the odds stacked against her. She was a single mother on welfare, trying to make it in a “man’s” corporate world. Not to be deterred, Alice dug herself out to find success and created a multi-million dollar company.
Alice is available to speak at your event on her story, how to beat the odds and true perseverance.
She is available for speaking events, big and small.