Unzipping Success: Sara Blakely's Entrepreneurial Story

In this riveting episode of "The Business Lunch Podcast", host Roland Frasier sits down with entrepreneur and founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely. Dive deep into the journey that transformed an idea born out of a personal need into a global empire, revolutionizing the fashion industry and empowering countless women. Join Roland as he unravels the intriguing tale of how Sara, armed with only an innovative concept and a spirit of determination, turned the hosiery industry on its head. Discover how she navigated the obstacles of skepticism, gender biases, and industry conventions to create a product that not only solved a problem for women but also became a cultural phenomenon. Sara also shares the role of mindset and visualization in her success, drawing on her early exposure to motivational teachings. The episode delves into how embracing failure, cultivating resilience, and ignoring naysayers can pave the way to achieving greatness. Prepare to be inspired and motivated as you listen to Sara's story—a story that serves as a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and the belief that a single idea can change the course of an industry and empower millions.  Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business professional, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and strategies that can elevate your journey to success. Discover the magic that happens when determination meets innovation and how an idea, when nurtured with passion, can reshape industries and inspire a generation of entrepreneurs. HIGHLIGHTS “I was a frustrated consumer, I had never taken a business class, I had never worked in fashion or retail. And I couldn't figure out what to wear under white pants." "And what happened was, I actually just took an idea in an industry that was very established, that had been doing things the same way for a really long time.” “So I stood in every department store I got into Neiman Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf, Barney's. And I went for two years and stood eight, eight to nine hours a day in the department stores selling the product for them." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction 05:51: The Turning Point 12:19: What You Don’t Know Can Be An Asset 15:16: The Patent Process 21:28: Scaling 24:42: A No Limit Person  28:37: Having A Plan For Failure 34:27: Advice To Others 37:36: Expanding & What’s Next?  Mentioned in this episode: Join Roland & Ryan at Get Scalable Live If you’re a founder, CEO, or operator running a 7- or 8-figure business, Get Scalable Live was built for you. This is not your typical business event. It’s 3 days of hands-on strategy, real-world frameworks, and next-level networking with the smartest operators in the game. 🗓 November 18–20, 2025 📍 San Diego, CA 🎉 Hosted by Ryan Deiss, Roland Frasier, and Richard Lindner 🎧 As a Business Lunch listener, you get 25% off your ticket. Use code LUNCH at checkout. Get Scalable Live