Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely has helped shape the modern woman — literally. As founder and creator of Spanx, Blakely reinvented how women dress while simultaneously redefining an industry. Her line of stretchy undergarments, shapewear and hosiery compresses and smooths figures of all sizes no matter how clingy the clothes worn over them. Blakely was working as a saleswoman during the day and doing stand-up comedy at night when she dreamed up Spanx in 2000. In a moment of frustration over a pair of white pants, Blakely took scissors, lopped the feet off some pantyhose and put them on underneath. Eleven years later, that simple moment of enlightenment remains the inspiration of her multimillion-dollar business, which has expanded to more than 200 products, including swimwear, undergarments for men and a low-cost brand called Assets, which is sold at Target. Blakely has not only made a lasting impact on the fashion world but also used her success to help shape the lives of women through the Sara Blakely Foundation, dedicated to empowering and inspiring women around the world through education and entrepreneurship.