7 most successful businesswomen who turned the world upside down and built a big business from scratch

Not only men but also women can be successful entrepreneurs, creators of multimillion-dollar businesses, and world-famous companies. History is full of examples of women creating something new and incredible, from talk shows to products and world-famous goods that we use to this day.

My name is Mariana Koch-Zorova, I am the Head of Financial Risk Management at the largest international chocolate company in Switzerland and the winner of the title Mrs. West Europe Globe 2024, I am constantly interested in women in the business world and am inspired by their success stories. In this article, I will tell you about 7 most successful businesswomen who turned the world upside down and built a big business from scratch.

Sarah Blakely, lingerie manufacturer

With $5000 in startup capital, Blakely, 29, started her own company with an office in her Atlanta apartment, but she never imagined she would become a billionaire. She used to work in copy machine sales but decided to start her own business. Blakely invented and patented shapewear – innovative tights with no seams, no foot, and a brand-new elastic waistband. In 2000, Blakely's seamless underwear sets hit the shelves of the most elite department stores. And in 2024, she became the owner of Spanx, which is currently worth $150 million.

Kathy Lenne, oil tycoon

American Kathy Lenne was only 23 years old when she founded the oil trading company Sun Coast Resources. Thirty years later, it has become the largest woman-owned company in Texas. Sun Coast Resources has $1.8 billion in revenue and currently employs 1,800 people, including Kathy's husband. It is one of the companies that promptly supplied oil to the affected regions after hurricanes Sandy and Katrina. Katie's net worth is about $340 million.

Tory Burch, designer

Former journalist Tory Burch has become one of the biggest discoveries in the fashion world. Tori Burch is called the queen of bohemian chic, and the Reva ballet flats she created, named after her mother, have become almost the main shoe in the United States. Initially, Tory opened her store in Manhattan and acted as a fashion designer. But today, the company named after her has grown into a real retail empire, estimated at $3 billion.

Burch is constantly expanding her business: she produces watches, cosmetics, and perfumes, a line of fashionable sportswear and yoga clothes. She also runs Elizabeth Street Capital, a venture capital company that supports women entrepreneurs.

Oprah Winfrey, TV presenter

For many years, American TV presenter Oprah Winfrey has been at the top of the list of the most influential celebrities according to Forbes magazine. Oprah's net worth is estimated at $2.7 billion, a female record in show business. Oprah started working while still in high school – she read the news at a radio station and received a hundred dollars a week. At the age of 17, Oprah Winfrey became the youngest reporter working in the local media and the first black female reporter on Nashville television. A decade later, she became the founder of Harpo Communications and obtained the rights to the show we know and love. Thanks to it, Oprah became the richest self-made woman in the country. She is the first and only black female billionaire in history, owning the Oprah Winfrey Network, Oprah Magazine, and the satellite radio station Oprah Radio.

J.K. Rowling, writer

British housewife Joanne Rowling wrote six books, and it was enough to spend her whole life in luxury and wealth. Today, Rowling is one of the top 100 most influential women in the world on the Forbes list, is the richest woman in the UK, and can afford to build a mini-Hogwarts in her garden.

However, Rowling's wealth came suddenly, and at first, she just spent money left and right. But soon she started doing business – producing movies, souvenirs, publishing books, etc. In 2012, she became the first writer not to cede the rights to her e-books to publishers and receives the proceeds herself.

Addison Ray, blogger

American Addison is not the richest blogger in the world, but another thing is interesting. She dropped out of university to pursue a blogging career and has never regretted it, as she has become a millionaire. Moreover, her parents have now become bloggers as well. The girl's income in 2021 alone was $8.5 million.

At first, Addison showed her dancing on her TikTok blog and a year later she joined the Hype House blogging community based in Los Angeles. Because of this, she had to move and drop out of Louisiana State University. Soon after, she launched the cosmetics brand Item Beaty, and in 2021, Rae became the main character in the Netflix comedy This Is It. After her debut, the service offered her several more roles. The girl's father and mother also went dancing on TikTok and already have several million subscribers.

Zhou Qunfei, smartphone glass manufacturer

The richest businesswoman in the world at the moment is Chinese woman Zhou Qunfei. By 2024, her financial fortune will be almost $8 billion. This woman, as they say about people who have made a business career on their own, "created herself."

As a child, Zhou Qunfei used to herd pigs and from the age of 15 worked at a glass factory for $1 a day. But at the age of 22, she decided to start her own business, and a real glass production facility was set up in the apartment where she lived with her family.

She has had 11 unsuccessful projects and one project that made her rich. The turning point for Zhou came in 2003 when she was approached by Motorola, which commissioned her to develop a glass screen for phones. At the time, Zhou had to mortgage her apartment, but eventually, she founded Lens Technology, a company that produces glass for smartphones.

As you can see, modern women are successfully working in completely different fields and making billions of dollars thanks to their perseverance and undoubtedly entrepreneurial talent. A great example of inspiration!