From humble beginnings to empire-building, countless women have transformed their side hustles into globally recognized businesses. These stories aren’t just about financial success—they’re about creativity, determination, and the courage to take risks. Ready to get inspired? Here are three incredible women who turned their side hustles into thriving empires.
1. Glossier: Emily Weiss’ Beauty Revolution
Emily Weiss didn’t set out to build a billion-dollar beauty brand. She was just a woman with a passion for skincare and an idea to make beauty products that were simple, real, and relatable. Glossier started as a beauty blog, Into The Gloss, but as Weiss wrote about beauty, she realized there was a gap in the market—products that felt authentic and spoke to women as individuals, not just consumers.
Her journey from blogger to business mogul began when she launched Glossier in 2014. The beauty brand started small, offering a minimalistic line of skincare and makeup products. But it wasn’t just the products that drew attention—it was the community Weiss built around the brand. She tapped into the power of social media and her followers, engaging them directly and involving them in the product development process.
Today, Glossier is one of the most beloved brands in the beauty industry, with a $1 billion valuation. Emily’s side hustle turned into a cultural phenomenon by building a strong, loyal following and listening to her customers.
Fun Fact: Glossier’s brand success isn’t just about products—it’s about the way it makes people feel. They talk to customers like friends, and their products are designed for real people, not the unattainable beauty standards set by traditional brands.
Takeaway for You: Build your community first. Glossier’s success is proof that a strong, engaged community can turn a passion project into a thriving business.
2. Spanx: Sara Blakely’s Million-Dollar Idea
Sara Blakely’s story is one for the ages. With just $5,000 in savings and a desire to solve an everyday problem—how to get the perfect look under clothes—Blakely created Spanx, a brand that would later skyrocket to global success. In the late 1990s, Spanx started as a pair of slimming tights that Blakely famously cut the feet off of to create her first prototype. She sold her idea to a department store and set the foundation for what would become a billion-dollar company.
Blakely’s success didn’t come overnight. She faced countless rejections, but she persisted. She marketed Spanx herself, personally going to department stores, convincing buyers to give it a chance. Her big break came when Oprah Winfrey named Spanx her favorite product, leading to a surge in demand.
Fast forward to today, and Spanx is a household name, known for its innovation and body-positive messaging. Sara Blakely is one of the richest self-made women in the world, and Spanx is valued at over $1 billion.
Fun Fact: Blakely didn’t have a background in fashion or business—she was selling fax machines before starting Spanx. Her story proves that determination and believing in your idea can take you further than any formal training.
Takeaway for You: Don’t let lack of experience hold you back. Sometimes, the best businesses come from everyday problems that people are looking to solve.
3. Rent the Runway: Jennifer Hyman and Jenny Fleiss’ Fashion Game-Changer
What if you could rent a designer dress for a fraction of the cost, wear it to an event, and then send it back? That was the innovative idea behind Rent the Runway. Founded by Jennifer Hyman and Jenny Fleiss in 2009, Rent the Runway began as a way to make luxury fashion accessible to women without the hefty price tag. They launched the business with a simple premise: Why buy a $500 dress when you can rent it for the weekend?
Their side hustle was born out of necessity. Both women were in business school at Harvard and were frustrated by the high cost of designer clothing. They noticed that many women only wore dresses once or twice, which sparked the idea to offer high-end fashion as a rental. They started by reaching out to fashion designers and convincing them to allow their pieces to be rented out. What started as a small-scale idea exploded after a successful Vogue feature.
Today, Rent the Runway is a $1 billion company with millions of customers. It has revolutionized the fashion industry, providing women with an affordable way to wear top-tier fashion while promoting sustainability through renting instead of buying.
Fun Fact: Rent the Runway’s founders started with a borrowed $1 million from venture capitalists, which they used to launch the business. Today, they’ve raised over $200 million in total funding.
Takeaway for You: Look for solutions to problems people face every day. Rent the Runway tapped into the frustration of women spending too much money on clothes they wear once, and they turned it into a disruptive business model that continues to grow.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got What It Takes
These women didn’t just create businesses—they turned their passions and innovative ideas into massive empires that are still shaping industries today. What do these stories have in common? They started with a simple idea, faced challenges, and refused to give up.
The journey to side hustle success isn’t always easy, but with determination, creativity, and the willingness to take risks, you too can build a business that makes a lasting impact. Remember: Your passion is the key to your success.
