6 'unhinged' things Sara Blakely did that ultimately shaped the success of her $1.2 billion Spanx empire
Blakely became the first self-made female billionaire in 2012.
Sara Blakely's Spanx Success Story: From $5,000 to a Billion-Dollar Empire Sara Blakely, founder of the shapewear company Spanx, recently shared her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Starting with just $5,000 in savings, Blakely transformed an idea born from a personal need—a solution to uncomfortable panty lines—into a global billion-dollar brand. The journey, however, wasn't without its hurdles. "When I was going door-to-door to hosiery manufacturers, that was the toughest part of my journey," Blakely recalled. The industry, she explained, was heavily male-dominated, and manufacturers were hesitant to disrupt their established processes for a relatively new idea. Despite the initial resistance, Blakely's persistence and clear understanding of the consumer market ultimately led to her success. Blakely's story is a testament to the power of identifying unmet consumer needs and the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the potential for success even when facing significant obstacles.
Blakely became the first self-made female billionaire in 2012.