How Sara Blakely Became the World's Youngest Self-Made Woman

Sara Blakely needs no introduction. The product she created is so genius, most of us can't imagine how we donned a cocktail dress without it! But we still can't help but be awed by what the 42-year-old Spanx entrepreneur has accomplished: She became the world's youngest self-made female billionaire last year—a milestone that Glamour celebrated—and just last month, she upped the ante by becoming the first female billionaire to sign the Giving Pledge, a commitment in which the world's wealthiest promise to direct the majority of their fortunes to philanthropic causes. (Her nonprofit has already given $18 million to women in need.) Blakely's meteoric rise is inspiring for so many reasons, not least among them is the fact that she built her business from scratch while juggling anything-but-glam day jobs like Disney World ride greeter and office equipment door-to-door sales gal. What kept her going, and what ultimately got Spanx onto the butts of millions, was a deep belief that her idea was going to work. We asked her for her road-tested tips to help any woman put herself out there—and, ideally, to turn your brainstorm into a billion-dollar business! Only share your idea with those who can help make
Sara Blakely needs no introduction. The product she created is so genius, most of us can't imagine how we donned a cocktail dress without it! But we still can't help but be awed by what the 42-year-old Spanx entrepreneur has accomplished: She became the world's youngest self-made female billionaire last year—a milestone that Glamour celebrated—and just last month, she upped the ante by becoming the first female billionaire to sign the Giving Pledge, a commitment in which the world's wealthiest promise to direct the majority of their fortunes to philanthropic causes. (Her nonprofit has already given $18 million to women in need.) Blakely's meteoric rise is inspiring for so many reasons, not least among them is the fact that she built her business from scratch while juggling anything-but-glam day jobs like Disney World ride greeter and office equipment door-to-door sales gal. What kept her going, and what ultimately got Spanx onto the butts of millions, was a deep belief that her idea was going to work. We asked her for her road-tested tips to help any woman put herself out there—and, ideally, to turn your brainstorm into a billion-dollar business! Only share your idea with those who can help make