Sara Blakely, Founder

Founder Bio
Sara Blakely, Founder
Throughout history, inventors have found inspiration from the strangest places. For Spanx
Founder and Owner Sara Blakely, the inspiration came from VPL (visible panty lines) and uncomfortable thongs. A
frustrated consumer turned entrepreneur, Sara invented footless pantyhose, created an international brand and led a
shapewear revolution.
Obsessed with inventing comfortable, slimming garments that minimize figure flaws, Sara and the Spanx team have
created an assortment of problem-solvers including bras, shapers, hosiery, swim, active, men’s and more. ASSETS®
by Sara Blakely was developed to help women everywhere experience the power of shapewear, providing a
focused range of body-shapers. ASSETS® Red Hot Label™ by SPANX® , a luxe extension of ASSETS, offers a wider
assortment of slimmers, bras and panties. Busting at the seams with hundreds of fan favorites, Spanx is reshaping
retail with its recently opened first-ever stores in Fall 2012.
Chances are you’ve seen Sara flashing her SPANX on QVC, judging inventions on ABC’s American Inventor, or
sharing tea with Richard Branson atop a hot air balloon at 10,000 feet on Fox’s The Rebel Billionaire. As the runner
up on Rebel Billionaire, Sara received a $750,000 check from Branson to pursue her dream to start a foundation to
empower women. Since launching the Sara Blakely Foundation in late 2006, Sara has contributed over $17 million
through Spanx, Inc. and the Foundation to causes that support women. As an entertaining and sought-after speaker,
Sara shares her story to inspire people to follow their dreams.
Remaining self-funded and profitable ever since Sara used her own savings to start the company, Spanx continues
to show incredible growth. SPANX are sold in America’s finest retailers and boutiques including Nordstrom, Neiman
Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Dillards and Lord and Taylor, as well as high-end retailers in more than
50 countries around the world. ASSETS brands are sold at Target, Kohls, JCP and www.spanx.com/assets.
Sara’s story has been featured everywhere from The Oprah Winfrey Show, TODAY, The View, 20/20, USA Today,
CNN, and CNBC. She has been named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Georgia’s “Woman of the
Year.” In March of 2012, Sara was named the world’s youngest, self-made female billionaire by Forbes Magazine and
one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. Sara and her husband Jesse reside in Atlanta and New York with their son
Lazer. Sara is a native of Clearwater, Florida, and a graduate of Florida State University.
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