Sara Blakely: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Sara Blakely was born on February 21, 1971,<ref>[http://imdb.com/name/nm1789114/ Sara Blakely]. Retrieved on 7/3/2007.</ref> in [[Clearwater, Florida]], the daughter of a lawyer and an artist. She graduated from [[Florida State University]], with a degree in communications. While attending she was a member of [[Delta Delta Delta]] sorority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tallahasseemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=84|title=Behind the Seams|last=Sanders|first=Triston V.|year=2007|publisher=''Tallahassee Magazine''|accessdate=2009-01-29}}</ref> |
Sara Blakely was born on February 21, 1971,<ref>[http://imdb.com/name/nm1789114/ Sara Blakely]. Retrieved on 7/3/2007.</ref> in [[Clearwater, Florida]], the daughter of a lawyer and an artist. She graduated from [[Florida State University]], with a degree in communications. While attending she was a member of [[Delta Delta Delta]] sorority, and worked part time at [[Disneyworld]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tallahasseemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=84|title=Behind the Seams|last=Sanders|first=Triston V.|year=2007|publisher=''Tallahassee Magazine''|accessdate=2009-01-29}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Blakely joined local stationary company Danks, and began selling [[fax machine]]s door-to-door.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/sara-blakely/the-spanx-story-how-sara-blakely-turned-footless-pantyhose-into-a-business.html?utm_campaign=Argyle%2BSocial-2012-01&utm_medium=Argyle%2BSocial&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=2012-01-23-01-00-00 |title=Sara Blakely Dared To Ask, "Why Not?" |publisher=Inc.com |date=January 20, 2012 |accessdate=March 8, 2012}}</ref> |
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In the heat and humidity of Florida, she tried unsuccessfully to find [[pantyhose]] that didn't have seamed toes, and that didn't roll up the leg when she cut them. Investing her life-savings of $5,000 she moved to [[Atlanta]], researching and then agreeing production run deals with local manufacturers. Having read books on marketing, she designed her own logo on a friends computer, and then to save the $3,000 legal fee needed to [[patent]] the Spanx name, used a [[Barnes & Noble]] textbook and learned how to do it herself. In 2000 she launched the Spanx brand from her home, undertaking all initial calls and marketing herself across North America. She was later caught on [[CCTV]] by a department store repositioning her products so they were displayed more prominently. The Spanx company and brand are now valued at more than $1Bn dollars. |
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| ⚫ | In 2006, she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training, and has funded scholarships for young women at CIDA in [[South Africa]]. She appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' in 2006 and donated $1 million to Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy. |
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==Personal life== |
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In 2008, |
In 2008, Blakely married [[Jesse Itzler]].<ref>Interview with Sharon Krum, The Times, 6 December 2008</ref> In 2009, Blakely gave birth to their son, Lazer Blake Itzler. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 14:37, 8 March 2012
Sara Blakely | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 21, 1971 Clearwater, Florida, United States |
| Alma mater | Florida State University |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouse | Jesse Itzler |
| Children | Lazer Blake Itzler |
Sara Blakely (born February 21, 1971) is an American businesswoman. In 2000, Blakely founded Spanx, a multi-million dollar undergarment company.[1] She is the world's youngest self-made female billionaire. [2]
Biography
Sara Blakely was born on February 21, 1971,[3] in Clearwater, Florida, the daughter of a lawyer and an artist. She graduated from Florida State University, with a degree in communications. While attending she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and worked part time at Disneyworld.[4]
Career
Blakely joined local stationary company Danks, and began selling fax machines door-to-door.[5]
In the heat and humidity of Florida, she tried unsuccessfully to find pantyhose that didn't have seamed toes, and that didn't roll up the leg when she cut them. Investing her life-savings of $5,000 she moved to Atlanta, researching and then agreeing production run deals with local manufacturers. Having read books on marketing, she designed her own logo on a friends computer, and then to save the $3,000 legal fee needed to patent the Spanx name, used a Barnes & Noble textbook and learned how to do it herself. In 2000 she launched the Spanx brand from her home, undertaking all initial calls and marketing herself across North America. She was later caught on CCTV by a department store repositioning her products so they were displayed more prominently. The Spanx company and brand are now valued at more than $1Bn dollars.
In 2006, she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training, and has funded scholarships for young women at CIDA in South Africa. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006 and donated $1 million to Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy.
Blakely was a contestant on The Rebel Billionaire, and starred as one of the judges on ABC's reality television series, American Inventor. She also guest-starred on Free Radio in January 2008.
Personal life
In 2008, Blakely married Jesse Itzler.[6] In 2009, Blakely gave birth to their son, Lazer Blake Itzler.
References
- ^ Power of PR. Retrieved on 7/3/2007.
- ^ "The world's billionaires saw some ups and downs but still worth $4.6 trillion total". The Washington Post. March 7, 2012.
- ^ Sara Blakely. Retrieved on 7/3/2007.
- ^ Sanders, Triston V. (2007). "Behind the Seams". Tallahassee Magazine. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Sara Blakely Dared To Ask, "Why Not?"". Inc.com. January 20, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
- ^ Interview with Sharon Krum, The Times, 6 December 2008
External links
- Sara Blakely on IMDb
- Sara Blakely on ABC.com: American Inventor - Bio Page
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