In the late 1990s, a young fax machine saleswoman named Sara Blakely was frustrated by the lack of comfortable, flattering undergarments for women. With just $5,000 in savings and no background in fashion, business, or manufacturing, she set out to solve the problem herself. Armed with a pair of scissors and an idea, she created a prototype by cutting the feet off her control-top pantyhose. That simple modification sparked what would become a billion-dollar business: Spanx.

After being turned down by countless manufacturers—all male—Blakely finally convinced one factory owner to take a chance, thanks in part to his daughters who saw the potential. In 2000, Spanx launched its first product on QVC and quickly gained traction after Oprah Winfrey named it one of her “Favorite Things.” This endorsement was a pivotal moment, propelling Spanx into the national spotlight.

Spanx’s growth was swift and impressive. Blakely remained the sole owner and never took outside investment, a rare move that allowed her to keep full control. In 2012, she was named the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire by Forbes. Spanx expanded beyond shapewear into leggings, activewear, and even men’s products. In 2021, Blakely sold a majority stake to Blackstone, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. She famously gifted her employees $10,000 and first-class plane tickets to anywhere in the world to celebrate.

But not every moment was smooth. Spanx faced increasing competition and criticism over time, particularly around body image and messaging. Still, Blakely adapted, refocusing the brand on empowerment, comfort, and innovation, including launching eco-friendly lines and expanding digital retail channels.

Blakely’s journey is marked by tenacity, creativity, and intuition. She broke into a male-dominated industry, changed how women feel in their clothes, and became a symbol of female entrepreneurship.

One Business Lesson from Sara Blakely:

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know.” Blakely often credits her success to not knowing “how it was supposed to be done.” Her lack of traditional experience freed her from industry norms, allowing her to approach problems creatively. The key takeaway? Embrace your unique perspective. Sometimes, not knowing the rules lets you rewrite them.