Quotes by Sara Blakely

About Sara Blakely:

Sara Blakely is an American businessperson and founder of Spanx, a hosiery company based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2012 Blakely was named in Time magazine's "Time 100" annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. As of 2014, she is listed as the 93rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I cut the feet out of my control top pantyhose to wear under these white pants and that was the ah-ha moment that started Spanx. My own butt was my own inspiration!

Sara Blakely

In the next decade, I see Spanx going worldwide. Everywhere. No butt left behind. It's going to be all over the world and it's going to be an aspirational brand that transcends categories. There's so many things we can improve upon and make better.

Sara Blakely

I got a call from the Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah had chosen Spanx as one of her favorite products in 2000. I had boxes of product in my apartment and I had two weeks notice that she was going to say she loved it on TV and I had no shipping department.

Sara Blakely

Within the first year of launching my company, Spanx, I decided to go over to England and cold-call Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges the same way I had cold-called Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's here in the United States.

Sara Blakely

Where I get my energy is: 'How can I make it better?'

Sara Blakely

I'll mix a lot of things. I'll wear a Temperley dress with flip flops, or I might be in head-to-toe Gucci and have on a ring that I got from a gumball machine for 50 cents.

Sara Blakely

I have this system where if I buy three or four new things, I give away three or four things. Sometimes, it's a very painful system, but shopping is even better when you know that someone else who needs it will be getting. Keep the clothing karma goi...

Sara Blakely

What I most identify with is effortless fashion, looking as if someone's not put a lot of effort into their look.

Sara Blakely

I started thinking about joy. Everything in our society is so purposeful. Let's bring joy back to the experience.

Sara Blakely

We don't have the luxury of time. We spend more because of how we live, but it's important to be with our family and friends.

Sara Blakely

I'd get kicked out of buildings all day long, people would rip up my business card in my face. It's a humbling business to be in. But I knew I could sell and I knew I wanted to sell something I had created. I cut the feet out of those pantyhose and I...

Sara Blakely

Don't solicit feedback on your product, idea or your business just for validation purposes. You want to tell the people who can help move your idea forward, but if you're just looking to your friend, co-worker, husband or wife for validation, be care...

Sara Blakely

I've always leaned toward a feminine, funky style, even in business settings. I used to paint my nails blue in 1993, before it was mainstream.

Sara Blakely

My revenue was $4 million my first year in business, off of one $20 item.

Sara Blakely

I've always had that gratitude that I had the opportunity to pursue my potential. So I think my story says that, when women are given the chance and the opportunity, that we can achieve a lot. We deliver. We can make the world a better place, one but...

Sara Blakely

I think my story says that, when women are given the chance and the opportunity, that we can achieve a lot. We deliver.

Sara Blakely

I'm just like so many women - I was frustrated, I had these white pants that I had spent a lot of money on, and you get home and you think, 'What am I really supposed to wear under this?' So it was a frustrated consumer moment.

Sara Blakely

When I'm bored or tired of being blonde, I'll throw on a wig. It's a lot less of a permanent way to change your look, and I have about 10 - all different colors, shapes, bobs, long hair, short, feathered.

Sara Blakely

I grew up in a house where my father encouraged my brother and me to fail. I specifically remember coming home and saying, 'Dad, Dad, I tried out for this or that and I was horrible,' and he would high-five me and say, 'Way to go.'

Sara Blakely

I cut the feet off of a pair of panty hose and it allowed me to wear a pair of great strappy sandals. I didn't see lines but the hose rolled up at my feet - and that's how Spanx born.

Sara Blakely

I think very early on in life we all learn what we're good at and what we're not good at, and we stay where it's safe.

Sara Blakely

Author Bio

  • NameSara Blakely
  • DescriptionAmerican businesswoman
  • BornFebruary 21, 1971
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionBusinessperson
  • WorksThe Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest For The Best; American Inventor
  • AwardsTime 100