Business

Sara Blakely

Sold fax machines for seven years; started Spanx with $5,000 and no outside investment.

Sara Blakely was born in 1971 in Clearwater, Florida, US. Sara Blakely's background is described as White American. Growing up, the family was middle class — trial-attorney father, artist mother. Sold fax machines for seven years; started Spanx with $5,000 and no outside investment.

Born: 1971 · Clearwater, Florida, US
Roots: White American
Family: Middle class; Trial-attorney father, artist mother.
Education: Florida State University (communications)
Started with: $5,000; Her savings; Spanx took no outside investment.
Affiliations & societies: None documented.; Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

1993 · age 22
Fails the LSAT twice
Drops the law plan; works at Disney World, then sells fax machines door-to-door for seven years.
1998 · age 27
Starts Spanx$5,000
Develops the product from modified pantyhose; writes her own patent application to save legal fees.
2000 · age 29
Oprah's “Favorite Things”
The product is featured on the list; sales increase sharply.
2012 · age 41
Billionaire status$1B
Per Forbes, the youngest self-made woman on the list at the time; she owned 100% of the company.
2021 · age 50
Sells majority to Blackstone$1.2B
At a reported $1.2B valuation.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sara Blakely from?

Sara Blakely was born in 1971 in Clearwater, Florida, US. Their background is described as White American.

When was Sara Blakely born?

Sara Blakely was born in 1971, in Clearwater, Florida, US.

What is Sara Blakely's background or ethnicity?

Sara Blakely's roots are described as White American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.

Where did Sara Blakely go to school?

Sara Blakely's education: Florida State University (communications).

What was Sara Blakely's family background growing up?

At birth the family was middle class. Trial-attorney father, artist mother.

How did Sara Blakely get started?

Sara Blakely started with $5,000. Her savings; Spanx took no outside investment.

Sources

Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.