Sara Blakely

Sara Treleaven Blakely is an American entrepreneur who founded Spanx in 2000, revolutionizing the intimate apparel industry with modern shapewear that emphasizes comfort and empowerment.^[1] Starting with $5,000 in savings and no outside investment, she built the company into a $1.2 billion enterprise over 21 years before selling a majority stake to Blackstone in 2021.^[8] In 2012, Forbes named her the youngest self-made female billionaire at age 41.^[1]

Blakely transformed an industry dominated by uncomfortable, outdated products by creating footless pantyhose and expanding into a full range of shapewear, activewear, and intimate apparel.^[2] The company now operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 750 people.^[1] She currently serves as Executive Chairwoman of Spanx and founded the footwear company Sneex in 2024.^[2]

Beyond business, Blakely established the Sara Blakely Foundation to support female entrepreneurs and has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.^[7] She serves as a guest investor on ABC's Shark Tank and is a minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks.^[5]

Sara Treleaven Blakely was born on February 27, 1971, in Clearwater, Florida, to Ellen, an artist, and John Blakely, a personal injury lawyer.^[1] She attended Clearwater High School before enrolling at Florida State University, where she joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in communications.^[1]

After graduation, Blakely initially planned to attend law school but failed the LSAT twice, abandoning her legal aspirations.^[4] She briefly worked as a ride attendant at Walt Disney World before taking a position selling fax machines door-to-door for Danka, an office supply company.^[1] Her success in sales led to a promotion to national sales trainer at age 25, a role she held for seven years.^[4]

Early Career (1993–2000)

Blakely's professional journey began with a brief stint as a ride attendant at Walt Disney World immediately after college graduation in 1993.^[1] She then joined Danka, where she spent seven years selling fax machines door-to-door, eventually rising to become the company's youngest national sales trainer at age 25.^[4] The sales experience taught her persistence and rejection resilience, skills that would prove crucial in her entrepreneurial journey.^[3]

Founding Spanx (2000–2021)

In 2000, frustrated by the lack of suitable undergarments for white pants, Blakely cut the feet off her pantyhose to create a smoother silhouette.^[1] This personal solution became the foundation for Spanx, which she launched with $5,000 in savings and no business plan or outside investment.^[10] She spent two years researching the hosiery industry, visiting mills, and developing her first product while working nights and weekends.^[3]

The breakthrough came when Neiman Marcus agreed to carry her products, followed by Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's.^[1] In 2000, Oprah Winfrey named Spanx one of her "Favorite Things," catapulting the brand to national recognition and generating $50 million in sales within the first year.^[4] The company achieved $4 million in revenue in its first year and $10 million in its second.^[10]

Under Blakely's leadership, Spanx expanded beyond shapewear into bras, underwear, leggings, activewear, swimwear, and men's products.^[2] The company launched ASSETS by Spanx at Target in 2010, making the brand accessible to a broader market.^[9] Throughout this period, Blakely maintained complete ownership, famously stating she "never had a single investor in Spanx other than me."^[3]

Executive Chairwoman and New Ventures (2021–present)

In October 2021, Blakely sold a majority stake in Spanx to Blackstone for $1.2 billion, while retaining a significant minority position and transitioning to Executive Chairwoman.^[8] The deal included investments from Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Whitney Wolfe Herd.^[8] To celebrate the transaction, Blakely gave each of her 750 employees two first-class plane tickets and $10,000 to travel anywhere in the world.^[3]

In 2024, Blakely launched Sneex, a high-heeled sneaker brand focused on combining comfort with style.^[2] She also serves as a guest investor on ABC's Shark Tank and continues her philanthropic work through the Sara Blakely Foundation.^[5]

Blakely's entrepreneurial achievements have earned widespread recognition across business and media platforms.^[1] In 2012, Forbes named her the world's youngest self-made female billionaire at age 41, featuring her on the magazine's cover.^[1] That same year, Time Magazine included her in its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.^[1]

Ernst & Young recognized her early success by naming her Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeast Region in 2002.^[1] Forbes later ranked her as the 93rd most powerful woman in the world in 2014.^[1] Her alma mater, Florida State University, awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her work as an inventor and philanthropist.^[1]

Blakely regularly appears as a guest investor on ABC's Shark Tank and has been featured in numerous business publications and podcasts, including NPR's "How I Built This."^[4] She teaches entrepreneurship through MasterClass and speaks at business conferences worldwide.^[6]

Blakely married Jesse Itzler, co-founder of Marquis Jet, in 2008.^[1] The couple has four children and resides in Atlanta, Georgia.^[1] She converted to Judaism and is a minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.^[1]

Through the Sara Blakely Foundation, she supports female entrepreneurs and has pledged to give away half her wealth through the Giving Pledge.^[7] The foundation focuses on empowering women through education and entrepreneurship programs.^[7]