Sara Blakely is widely recognized as one of the most successful self made female entrepreneurs in the world. She is the founder of Spanx, a global brand known for revolutionizing shapewear and intimate apparel. With determination, creativity, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset, Blakely turned a simple idea into a billion dollar business empire. Her journey from selling fax machines door to door to becoming a self made billionaire has inspired millions of aspiring entrepreneurs around the world.
Early Life and Education
Sara Treleaven Blakely was born on February 27, 1971, in Clearwater, Florida, United States. She grew up in a supportive family that encouraged creativity and independence. Her mother, Ellen Ford, was an artist, while her father, John Blakely, worked as a personal injury lawyer.
Blakely attended Clearwater High School before enrolling at Florida State University, where she graduated with a degree in communications. During her college years, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Initially, she planned to become a lawyer, but after scoring poorly on the Law School Admission Test, she decided to explore other career opportunities.
Early Career and Struggles
Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, Blakely experienced several career challenges. She briefly worked at Walt Disney World in Florida. During this period, she also tried stand-up comedy, which helped her develop confidence and public speaking skills.
Later, she began working for an office supply company called Danka, where she sold fax machines door to door. Despite the demanding nature of the job, she quickly proved her sales abilities and was promoted to national sales trainer at just 25 years old.
However, her job required her to wear pantyhose in the hot Florida climate, which she found uncomfortable. This inconvenience eventually led to a groundbreaking business idea.
The Idea Behind Spanx
One evening, while preparing for a party, Blakely decided to cut the feet off her pantyhose so she could wear them under pants without visible seams. The result surprised her her outfit looked smoother and more flattering.
This simple experiment sparked the idea that eventually became Spanx. She realized there was a gap in the market for comfortable shapewear that improved body shape while remaining invisible under clothing.
At the age of 27, Blakely moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and invested her life savings of $5,000 into developing her product idea.
Building the Spanx Brand
Blakely spent two years researching and developing her concept while continuing to work at Danka. She traveled to North Carolina, the center of the U.S. hosiery industry, to present her idea to manufacturers. Initially, every factory rejected her proposal because they preferred working with established companies.
Eventually, one mill owner agreed to produce her product after encouragement from his daughters, who believed the concept was innovative.
Blakely personally handled nearly every aspect of the business from product development and packaging to marketing and sales. She even wrote her own patent application to save money before hiring a lawyer to finalize it.
Her breakthrough came when she convinced a buyer at Neiman Marcus to try the product. After demonstrating it in the store’s restroom, the buyer agreed to sell Spanx in several locations.
Soon after, major retailers such as Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue also began carrying the brand.
Oprah Winfrey’s Influence and Rapid Growth
Spanx gained massive attention in 2000 when media icon Oprah Winfrey named the product one of her “Favorite Things.” This endorsement dramatically boosted sales and brand awareness.
Within the first year, Spanx generated $4 million in revenue. By the second year, sales grew to $10 million, marking the beginning of rapid expansion.
In 2012, Forbes recognized Blakely as the youngest self made female billionaire in the world, placing her on the cover of the magazine.
Investments, Television, and New Ventures
Over the years, Blakely expanded her influence beyond fashion. In 2015, she and her husband Jesse Itzler joined an investment group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.
She has also appeared on several television programs. Blakely competed on The Rebel Billionaire hosted by Richard Branson and later appeared as a guest investor on the business reality show Shark Tank.
In 2024, she launched a new footwear brand called Sneex, which focuses on innovative high-heeled sneakers designed for comfort and style.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
Blakely is also known for her charitable work. In 2006, she established the Sara Blakely Foundation to support women through education and entrepreneurship training.
She has donated millions of dollars to educational programs and women focused initiatives around the world. She also joined the Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of her wealth to charitable causes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Blakely pledged $5 million to support female-owned small businesses struggling during the crisis.
