Elisabeth Baulacre

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Elisabeth Baulacre (1613–1693) was a businesswoman from Geneva. After her husband Pierre Perdriau died in 1641, she built up and ran the family business of passementerie, especially the silver and gold threads used in these decorations. The 17th-century historian Gregorio Leti said she employed about 1,200 salaried workers who worked from their homes. She also funded long apprenticeships in goldbeating (five to six years) to ensure a steady supply of gold thread. By 1680 her business was the most important in Geneva and stayed that way until 1708. She died with the second largest personal fortune in Geneva. She was also known as a "syndics maker."