From Fax Machines to Fortune: Sarah Blakely's Billion-Dollar Spanx Revolution | Sarah Blakely EP 705

The Daily Motivation

Lewis Howes

Education, Self-improvement

4.8 • 893 Ratings

🗓️ 13 August 2024

⏱️ 9 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"I wrote my own patent. I went to Barnes and Noble and bought a book called Patents and Trademarks and I wrote the patent myself." -Sarah Blakely Sarah Blakely's journey from door-to-door fax machine saleswoman to billionaire entrepreneur is nothing short of extraordinary. Feeling trapped in a soul-crushing job, she took a leap of faith that would change the shape of the undergarment industry forever. With just $5,000 and an idea born from cutting the feet out of her pantyhose, Blakely persevered through countless rejections, writing her own patent and driving across state lines to find a manufacturer willing to take a chance on her "crazy idea". Her relentless determination and outside-the-box thinking not only led to the creation of Spanx but revolutionized how women feel about their bodies. From choosing the perfect brand name to navigating the male-dominated business world, Blakely's story is filled with unexpected twists, hilarious mishaps, and powerful lessons on resilience. She shares intimate details of her struggle to be taken seriously, including how she convinced manufacturers to give her a chance and the strategic thinking behind the now-iconic Spanx name. This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, showcasing how creativity, grit, and a willingness to take risks can turn a simple idea into a global phenomenon. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most inspiring self-made female billionaires of our time.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey everyone this is Louis House and I am so excited to invite you to the
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0:25.1	transformation from some of the most incredible speakers on the planet.
0:28.7	Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your life, unlock your potential, and be part of something truly special.
0:34.8	Make sure to get your tickets right now and step into greatness with us at the Summit of Greatness
0:39.4	2024.
0:40.6	Head over to Louis House.com slash tickets and get your tickets today
0:44.0	and I will see you there.
0:46.0	Hi, my name is Lewis House
0:48.0	and welcome to the Daily Motivation Show. motivation show.
0:59.0	I sold fax machine store to door for seven years. Seven years.
1:00.0	Did you wake up every morning and say this is my dream to sell facts between the door to door?
1:04.4	Were you thinking, no. What am I doing in my life?
1:07.4	Exactly. So what happened was a lot of people think that Spanks started when I cut the feet out of my panty
1:12.4	hosts, but actually
1:13.2	it started long before that it started when I was selling fax machines door to door and
1:17.8	getting my car business card ripped up in my face being escorted out of buildings
1:21.9	all day every day that I woke up one day and just
1:24.7	thought, I'm in the wrong movie. Like, how did this happen? This is not my life. Cut, scene,
	...

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