Sara Blakely may be one of the wealthiest, most successful entrepreneurs in the country, but that doesn’t mean she’s forgotten what it’s like to be a woman launching and scaling a business.
Sara built her SPANX brand with just $5,000 in capital and an unwavering determination to make it a success.
That’s why she chose $5,000 as the amount she is offering 1000 women a grant for, as her way of supporting others through the COVID 19 crisis.
Sara Blakely announced this grant for female entrepreneurs in an Instagram post.
“My hope is that this gift will help alleviate some of the pressures caused by this horrible pandemic,” she wrote. “I know first hand what it’s like to be a small business owner. As a woman it can be lonely and scary, especially during a time like this. Small business is the backbone of our culture and I want to help.”
Sara still has her lucky red backpack, which she carried with her during her early days of entrepreneurship. It’s become a symbol of her story, and now it’s also the name of her generous initiative. The Red Backpack Fund will run through non-profit organization GlobalGiving.
Sara Blakely is married to Jesse Itzler, another of this country’s leaders in entrepreneurship and personal development.
Jesse is the co-founder of Marquis Jet, one of the largest private jet card companies in the world, a partner in Zico Coconut Water, the founder of The 100 Mile Group and an owner of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
The couple has four young children and an avid following on social media, where they openly share stories from home as well as professional insight.
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