Oprah Winfrey is a serious force of nature

Not only is she a symbol of empowerment for her loyal television audience but the billionaire media mogul is a force to be reckoned with in the consumer marketplace.

Ask the folks over at Hearst Publishing --who partnered with her to bring forth her best-selling eponymous magazine, which was recognized as the biggest launch of a title. Or maybe the power wielders on The Great White Way -- who are experiencing a nonstop renaissance of blacks and the box-office with the Winfrey-blessed Broadway musical ‘The Color Purple.’ And her foray into satellite radio (with XM) has proven to be equally fruitful too.  Fans of the talk show maven and audience members will get to purchase items  featured currently in the Boutique section of her website, like apparel and DVDs, as now comes news that the Mississippi native and  empowerment idol has designs to get into the retail game. continued top right