Born May 9, 1947

Manila, Philippines

Chief executive officer of a leading clothes and fashion accessories firm

Josie Natori, second from left, with models. James Keyser/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images.

"Respect yourself and your vocation. Respect is the result of passion. You cannot expect to get respectful reactions from people if what you are doing doesn't originate from deep within your soul."

Josie Natori has been an immensely successful business-woman in the diverse fields of investment banking and fashion. Natori made a major change in her life at the age of thirty—leaving the security of a high-paying position in banking to start a business, the Natori Company, importing crafts and clothes from the Philippines. Acting on a comment by a purchase agent, one who selects clothes that a store will sell, that a blouse Natori was selling would be more attractive as a nightshirt, Natori...