Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely cut the feet off her pantyhose with kitchen scissors and accidentally created a billion-dollar empire. What problem are you ignoring that could be your goldmine? In this episode, Kara Preston reveals why the most successful entrepreneurs don't chase market trends - they solve their own daily frustrations first, then sell that solution to millions of others facing the same challenge. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why 70% of profitable businesses start with founders solving their own problems (and the specific framework they use) • The 3-step process Blakely used to turn personal frustration into Spanx's $1.2 billion valuation • How to identify which of your daily annoyances could become your next revenue stream • The counterintuitive reason why "niche" problems create bigger businesses than "everyone" problems 👤 Perfect for: entrepreneurs tired of chasing shiny objects who want to build something that actually matters to them. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Kara Preston breaks down the pantyhose problem that started it all [01:45] Why your biggest frustration might be your biggest opportunity [03:30] The validation test that separates real problems from imaginary ones [05:15] How to price solutions to problems you've personally experienced [07:00] Three questions that reveal your hidden business ideas [09:30] Why solving your own problem gives you an unfair advantage over competitors [11:00] Your next steps to turn personal pain into profit The businesses that last aren't built on market research or trend analysis. They're built by people who got so tired of a problem that they decided to fix it themselves. Then they realized other people would pay them to fix it too. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Kara Builds on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next breakthrough insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: entrepreneurship, problem solving, business ideas, startup validation, Sara Blakely Get new episodes at Midnight Builders ------- Keywords: startup lessons, business crisis podcast, entrepreneurial disasters, business mistakes, failed business podcast, entrepreneurship truth, startup failure stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx , the shapewear company she started with $5,000 in savings that went on to revolutionize women’s apparel and make her the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire. Her episode on Inflection Moments explores how an office supply saleswoman with no fashion or manufacturing background turned a personal frustration (unflattering undergarments) into a global powerhouse brand built on authenticity, humor, and unstoppable grit. Blakely’s story runs from selling fax machines door-to-door in Florida to cutting the feet off her pantyhose for a cleaner fit under white pants, leading to an idea she tirelessly pitched, patented, and prototyped herself before landing a deal with Neiman Marcus. Eventually, Oprah’s endorsement catapulted Spanx to fame, but Blakely sustained momentum through storytelling and a deep understanding of how real women feel in their clothes. Her focus on empowering customers, maintaining full ownership, and building a culture that laughs as hard as it hustles made Spanx a model for purpose-driven consumer innovation. Her story is worth studying because it proves that ingenuity, resilience, and empathy can outcompete industry experience or funding. For founders, the takeaways include how to identify a genuine, lived problem, how to prototype when you lack technical expertise, and how to turn humor and humanity into marketing superpowers. For founders and investors, Blakely’s journey demonstrates the asymmetric upside of backing unconventional founders: those who don’t fit the mold but redefine it through sheer clarity of vision and relentless optimism. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (03:31) Inflection Point #1: I'm In The Wrong Movie (09:32) Inflection Point #2: The Birth of Spanx (15:16) Inflection Point #3: Cracking the Hosiery Mills (22:47) Inflection Point #4: Landing Neiman Marcus (30:53) Inflection Point #5: Bootstrapping, Exit, and Reinvention (38:29) Common Threads (46:04) Closing Thoughts Connect Follow our channels below if you're interested in insights, ideas, and lessons from the greatest entrepreneurs in history: Newsletter: www.inflectionmoments.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-franklin8456/ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0aqoOm53QLcOgyOkXFXNkO?si=5c7fc64ca22348e1 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠ ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inflection-moments/id1841530808?i=1000743810616⁠ YouTube: @InflectionMoments If you're enjoying the episodes, make sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode.

Host Neil Haley welcomes Spanx founder and Shark Tank guest shark Sara Blakely for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and staying connected to your purpose. Sara shares her remarkable journey of starting Spanx with just five thousand dollars from her Atlanta apartment without any formal business training, explaining how this experience allows her to deeply relate to the entrepreneurs pitching on Shark Tank who are betting everything on their dreams. She discusses the unique dynamics of sitting between sharks Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban, noting how their numbers-driven, deal-focused approach contrasted with her emphasis on understanding each entrepreneur's "why" and purpose behind their venture. Sara reveals that after seventeen years in business, she attributes her sustained success to remaining connected to the purpose behind each product she creates, rather than getting lost in metrics alone. Sara introduces her philosophy of "finding the white space" in the market and emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurs articulating why they're different from every other option available. She advises aspiring business owners to sell the problem they're solving rather than just the product itself, explaining that if you can clearly define the problem, present your solution, and demonstrate why you're the best option, investors will be all in. Sara also unveils her latest invention, Arm Tights, addressing a gap she noticed in her own closet where sleeveless dresses and tops couldn't be worn during fall and winter months. The innovative crop top made from tights material provides arm coverage while maintaining a sleek silhouette, allowing women to transform sleeveless pieces into long-sleeve looks. As a mother of four children under eight, Sara shares how she balances her roles as an inventor, CEO, and parent, offering authentic glimpses into her struggles, triumphs, and the real challenges of being a working woman through her Instagram presence at Sara Blakely and Spanx.com.

Host Neil Haley welcomes Spanx founder and Shark Tank guest shark Sara Blakely for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and staying connected to your purpose. Sara shares her remarkable journey of starting Spanx with just five thousand dollars from her Atlanta apartment without any formal business training, explaining how this experience allows her to deeply relate to the entrepreneurs pitching on Shark Tank who are betting everything on their dreams. She discusses the unique dynamics of sitting between sharks Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban, noting how their numbers-driven, deal-focused approach contrasted with her emphasis on understanding each entrepreneur's "why" and purpose behind their venture. Sara reveals that after seventeen years in business, she attributes her sustained success to remaining connected to the purpose behind each product she creates, rather than getting lost in metrics alone. Sara introduces her philosophy of "finding the white space" in the market and emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurs articulating why they're different from every other option available. She advises aspiring business owners to sell the problem they're solving rather than just the product itself, explaining that if you can clearly define the problem, present your solution, and demonstrate why you're the best option, investors will be all in. Sara also unveils her latest invention, Arm Tights, addressing a gap she noticed in her own closet where sleeveless dresses and tops couldn't be worn during fall and winter months. The innovative crop top made from tights material provides arm coverage while maintaining a sleek silhouette, allowing women to transform sleeveless pieces into long-sleeve looks. As a mother of four children under eight, Sara shares how she balances her roles as an inventor, CEO, and parent, offering authentic glimpses into her struggles, triumphs, and the real challenges of being a working woman through her Instagram presence at Sara Blakely and Spanx.com.

Episode Description: To launch our “From the Archive” series, James revisits his candid talk with Sara Blakely about turning fear into fuel, reframing failure, and selling a simple product with language and grit. You’ll hear the bathroom demo that won Neiman Marcus, the three-part courage engine she still uses, and how to protect the thinking time that sparks real ideas. What You’ll Learn: A usable framework for courage: how gratitude, mortality, and mission help you act when you’re anxious. Cold-call tactics that open doors: lead with humanity, humor, and a clear benefit; remove “doubt language.” Naming and language as strategy: why one word, cadence, or sound (“K”) can change response and recall. Prototype → proof → order: how to create momentum before the back office exists—and survive it. Idea hygiene: protect thinking time, keep an “idea log,” and test small, real-world demos fast. Timestamped Chapters: [02:13] “What did you fail at this week?” — redefining failure at the dinner table. [03:13] Why this conversation outranked a big news assignment. [04:25] Mission beyond profit — Belly Art Project and maternal health. [06:17] Empowering women: the through-line from day one. [08:00] Gratitude and anxiety — learning courage in real time. [10:12] Mortality as perspective; the loss that changed her trajectory. [12:19] Purpose larger than self—doing the scary thing anyway. [14:50] The Warren Buffett premiere pep talk: “Get over yourself.” [17:08] Stand-up as training for product storytelling. [19:00] Seven years of cold calling: rejection as reps. [21:33] Wayne Dyer and “how to think” vs. “what to think.” [26:16] The “fake commute”: protecting thinking time. [30:00] “Are you my idea?” — from cut-off pantyhose to a canvas under clothes. [33:00] The value of a word: comedy, cadence, and copy. [34:03] Why she bet on a name with a hard “K.” [42:52] The Neiman Marcus call, the in-person pitch, and the bathroom demo. [49:31] “We don’t have crotches” — surviving ops chaos on the first big order. [52:00] Tears in Office Depot and learning the bill of lading. Additional Resources: SPANX — official site. https://spanx.com/ The Belly Art Project (book). https://www.amazon.com/Belly-Art-Project-Moms-Supporting/dp/1250121361 Belly Art Project — official site. https://www.bellyartproject.org/ Every Mother Counts — a nonprofit founded by Christy Turlington Burns. https://everymothercounts.org/ Sara Blakely Foundation — mission overview. https://www.spanxfoundation.com/about/ Sara Blakely — Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/sarablakely/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" tar

Sara Blakely grew up in Florida and dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but after failing the LSAT twice, she pivoted to sales and later entrepreneurship. Frustrated by uncomfortable hosiery, Blakely cut the feet off her tights and sparked an idea that would change fashion. With no formal business training, she cold-called hosiery mills and landed her first big break with Neiman Marcus, then with the Oprah Winfrey show. Spanx went from a scrappy startup to a billion-dollar brand that reshaped celebrity style and became a cultural phenomenon. Journalists Zing Tsjeng and Simon Jack trace Sara Blakely's journey from selling fax machines to building Spanx into a global empire. They explore how she leveraged persistence, marketing, and risk-taking to disrupt an industry dominated by men - and what her story reveals about innovation, branding, and entrepreneurship. Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast from the BBC World Service that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. There are business leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility. Simon and Zing put their subjects to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard — then hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires? To contact the team, email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire

Sara Blakely turned $5,000 and a pair of scissors into Spanx, a billion dollar brand that changed the way women get dressed and redefined what’s possible for entrepreneurs everywhere. In this episode, I trace her story from growing up in Clearwater, Florida, to selling fax machines in the Florida heat, to that legendary bathroom demo at Neiman Marcus, and finally to the $1.2 billion Blackstone deal. Along the way, I dig into the lessons we can take from her path: reframing failure, building resilience through rejection, and trusting the small sparks that might just change everything. Sources & Disclaimers This episode was created using publicly available information from credible sources, including: Forbes – coverage of Sara Blakely’s career, net worth, and business milestones Inc. Magazine – interviews and features on the founding of Spanx NPR’s How I Built This – Sara Blakely’s own account of building Spanx Encyclopedia Britannica – verified biographical details The New York Times – profiles and reporting on Spanx’s growth and cultural impact CNN Money and Fortune – features on Blakely’s entrepreneurial journey and philanthropy The Giving Pledge – confirmation of Sara Blakely’s 2013 philanthropic pledge Atlanta Journal-Constitution – local reporting on Spanx milestones and her Atlanta Hawks investment QVC press coverage (2001) – documenting her early sellout appearances U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records – including U.S. Patent No. 6,463,765 for her original pantyhose undergarment Blackstone press release (2021) – details of the Spanx majority stake acquisition and valuation Additional reporting from Time , Bloomberg , and other mainstream outlets Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and storytelling purposes only. All facts shared are based on publicly available sources at the time of recording. Commentary and reflections are my own.

In this episode of The Burnouts, Sophia Kianni and Phoebe Gates sit down with entrepreneurial icon and Spanx founder Sara Blakely to talk mindset, manifestation, and the messy truth of building something from scratch. Whether you're navigating your first job, launching a startup, or still waiting for a sign from the universe—this one’s for you. We go deep on everything from building confidence as a woman in business, to manifesting million-dollar ideas (literally), to knowing when to quit, pivot, or fire the “genius” that’s ruining your team dynamic. Sara shares stories she’s never told before—like the exact mindset hack that led to Spanx, the real reason she sold her company, and the crazy specific sign she asked the universe for. 🔖 CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why we called Sara before we even had a product 2:10 – Sara’s Secret Weapon Since She Was 16 14:00 – Signs from the universe (including one from Oprah) 18:30 – Hiring Wrong, Firing Fast, and Learning the Hard Way 29:00 – Why High Heels Haven’t Changed in 300 Years (Until Now) 36:45 – Sara is paying people to buy her shoes?!? 38:00 – Sara’s Wildest Hustle Stories About the Burnouts As former Stanford roommates and now business partners, Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share their experience as startup founders and the complexities of being young professionals—from financial literacy, social impact, and navigating networking (ever been hit on through LinkedIn?). With exclusive access to top experts, they offer an inside look at their chaotic lives alongside career insights from their network of thought leaders. Watch The Burnouts pursue their dreams while trying to keep their lives from going up in flames. Will they burn out? We’ll find out. 🔗 FOLLOW US The Burnouts Phoebe Gates Sophia Kianni Sara Blakely

Send us Fan Mail We’re talking about what it really takes to succeed — and why failure is part of the process. Sara Blakely went from selling fax machines to building Spanx into a billion-dollar brand. Her story is a reminder that rejection and missteps are fuel, not flaws. 💥 We unpack how failing early builds resilience, why perfection is a myth, and how to keep going when the world says no. Plus, her new venture Sneaks is giving “Sneakers meets stiletto” energy 👟✨ Time Stamps: 00:45 Sara Blakely: From Humble Beginnings to Billion-Dollar Empire 01:35 The Importance of Failure in Entrepreneurship 04:41 Sara's Journey: From Disney to Spanx 06:38 The Birth of Spanx: Overcoming Rejection 08:22 Lessons from Sara's Success 17:02 The Role of Failure in Personal Growth 29:42 Innovating Beyond Spanx: New Ventures Join the list, get the tea, tips & tools that convert: https://clickteasepodcast.substack.com/subscribe 📱 Social: @themichellepualani | @joanna_atwork 📩 Michelle: hello@michellepualani.com 🌐 Joanna: millennialmktr.com 📅 10-Day Course Creation Challenge (Joanna) 💻 Build a Successful Online Business Using Kajabi 🎙️ Get Descript for Podcasting ✅ Try Out Monday.com

Sara Blakely es uno de los grandes nombres del emprendimiento femenino a nivel mundial. Fundadora de Spanx, una marca de ropa interior y prendas moldeadoras que ha transformado el mercado, Blakely ha pasado de vender máquinas de fax puerta a puerta a convertirse en la multimillonaria self-made más joven del mundo según Forbes. Su historia es un ejemplo de perseverancia, innovación y confianza en uno mismo, ideal para inspirar a quienes sueñan con emprender desde cero. ¿Quién es Sara Blakely? Sara Blakely es una empresaria, inventora y filántropa estadounidense nacida en 1971. Es conocida por ser la fundadora de Spanx, una empresa especializada en prendas moldeadoras que comenzó con una inversión inicial de tan solo $5.000 y sin ningún conocimiento en diseño de moda, producción textil o gestión empresarial. Gracias a su intuición, creatividad y espíritu emprendedor, convirtió esa idea en un negocio global que ha transformado la industria de la moda íntima. Hoy es un icono del emprendimiento femenino. Biografía de Sara Blakely: De vendedora puerta a puerta a multimillonaria self-made Sara Treleaven Blakely nació el 27 de febrero de 1971 en Clearwater, Florida (EE.UU.).

“Shorty Holiday Episode”! Everyone is swamped this time of year, so just give us 15 min, to learn about this gem of a Sheela!!! Sara Blakely is a self made American businesswoman and philanthropist, she is also the Founder and inventor of Spanx, an American the shape wear apparel company that launched in 2000. She started with 5000 dollars in savings and is now a billionaire. As a result, By 2012, Blakely landed on the cover of Forbes magazine for being the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world and was named in Time magazine's "Time 100" annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2014, she was listed as the 93rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. Most everyone knows her product, but few know this incredible entrepreneur’s name or story and that’s because Blakely remains 100% owner of Spanx. She has never formally advertised, nor has she taken outside investment, nor taken Spanx public. The popularity and success of the product has been almost entirely the result of word of mouth and buzz. Go Sara! And yes, because of this, Sara often gets ignored by mainstream business news. Most reporters only write stories about companies when they announce a big funding round or go public, but Spanx has just been growing quietly for two decades now, but it wasn’t easy … Sara’s story is a story of failure, grit, and determination and everyone SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HER! So please, listen to this episode to find out more!!! We thank you! https://sheelanagigpodcast.com Instagram: / sheelanagig_podcast

From selling fax machines door-to-door to becoming the founder of a billion-dollar empire, Sara Blakely’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and believing in yourself. This video dives deep into the five entrepreneurial lessons from Blakely’s inspiring story, offering actionable insights to transform your business and mindset. What You’ll Learn: 🌟 Embrace Failure: Discover how Sara turned setbacks into stepping stones for success. 💡 Believe in Your Vision: Learn the importance of unwavering belief in your ideas, even when the odds are stacked against you. 🚀 Leverage Endorsements: See how a single endorsement from Oprah catapulted Spanx into a global brand. 🤝 Give Back: Be inspired by Sara’s philanthropic commitment to empowering women and creating lasting impact. ⚖️ Balance Life and Work: Gain insights into maintaining harmony between professional success and personal values. Why Sara Blakely’s Journey Matters: Sara’s story isn’t just about Spanx—it’s about redefining entrepreneurship with purpose, grit, and creativity. Her rise from humble beginnings to a household name inspires entrepreneurs to take risks, embrace failure, and make meaningful contributions to the world. Whether building a business, launching a product, or seeking motivation, these lessons will empower you to think bigger and stay true to your vision. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★