Whether you think Martha Stewart deserves more, less or no jail time (more than 43% of respondents in a recent USA Today poll thought she should spend more time in jail), diva of domestic grace is using her time behind bars to boost her PR value sky high.

By going to jail early, sending out heartfelt web letters asking people to donate money to American Cancer Society charity instead of mailing her money and gifts, and even offering to assist underprivileged women start businesses, Stewart is walking a very public "road to redemption."

While we can't really blame Stewart for making best of a bad situation, we have to wonder what kind of legacy this will create for up-and-coming entrepreneurs and business leaders, not to mention American public as a whole.

Stewart's story already had enough rags-to-riches romance to make her a top role model. Add to that her new seemingly humble persona and her place as a societal icon is all but guaranteed. But is what she's modeling good or bad or America?

Let's break down exactly what she's demonstrating, then you can decide for yourself:

<><> Arrogance is Acceptable as Long as You're Successful <><> Stewart is guilty of sin common among most celebrity leaders: hubris. She no doubt began believing everything her PR department put out. She's been labeled "power mad," "mean spirited," and "cruel" in press, but media-happy public was willing to accept her and buy her products as long as she was a wealthy public figure.

LESSON: It's perfectly acceptable to buy products from a power-mad, mean spirited, cruel leader as long as she's popular and media likes her.

<><> You Can Recover from Any Fall With a Show of Humbleness <><> Stewart is making a very public show of humble pie, but let's take a deeper look at motivations behind her actions. First, she volunteered to enter prison even when she didn't have to. Sounds humble, but why did she really do it? She says it's so she could "be back to work before spring planting season" (USA Today, September 15, 2004).

She also offered to help underprivileged women start their own businesses. But this was in fact really a means for her "she could shorten her time in jail by offering to serve part or all of her sentence," as reported in July 19 issue of USA Today.

She has been successful for those 11 years and is still doing very well. She started her online business several months ago with same products as her traditional business. The problem was her online business was only costing her money and to date she has made no sales, but has spent over $1,500 in advertising and marketing--just for online side of her business alone.

Here is a news flash. Business is Business! I do not care whether you are on Internet or in a shopping mall. The same basic principles apply to both businesses.

1) You have a product 2) You need to advertise to get customers to buy your product. 3) You need to support your customers who buy your product from advertising you did. 4) You need to build a loyal customer following, so you can maintain a profitable business.

Many people believe that because they are selling online that some of these steps can either be skipped or they need to go overboard in one area or another. Customer service on Internet is for most part--non-existent. Companies that tell you they will get back to you in 48 - 72 hours might as well tell you they are closed.

The bottom line regarding selling online, whether you have your own product or you are just going to focus on reselling affiliate programs, you will need to advertise, and you will need to take care of your clients.