Women Who Found Success at Every Age

Sarah Blakely, 20’s

Sarah Blakely is a businesswoman and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Spanx, a popular undergarment and shapewear company. Her entrepreneurial journey began when she was forced to wear pantyhose in the hot Floridian climate for an early sales role. She disliked the appearance of the seamed foot but liked the way that the control-top model eliminated panty lines and made her body appear firmer.

In 2000, at age 29, Sarah Blakely launched Spanx with an initial investment of $5,000. The company initially focused on footless pantyhose and has since expanded its product line to include a wide range of undergarments, leggings, activewear, and other body-shaping apparel. Spanx quickly gained popularity for its innovative and effective designs that aim to provide a smoother and more flattering silhouette.

In 2012, Blakely landed on the cover of Forbes magazine for being the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world. Her journey from a fax machine saleswoman to a self-made billionaire and influential figure in the fashion industry has made Sarah a notable entrepreneur and a role model for aspiring business professionals, particularly women in business. Blakely is also known for her philanthropic efforts through the Sara Blakely Foundation, which supports and empowers women.

Jamie Kern Lima, 30’s

Jamie Kern Lima is an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, best known as the founder of IT Cosmetics. Her incredible journey began when she struggled to find makeup products that could effectively cover her rosacea and hyperpigmentation. Frustrated with the lack of suitable options, she co-founded IT Cosmetics in 2008 with her husband Paulo Lima at age 31.

The brand gained widespread recognition for its innovative products and the "real beauty" approach, featuring real people with different skin concerns in its advertising. In 2016, L'Oréal acquired IT Cosmetics for approximately $1.2 billion, marking one of the largest beauty acquisitions at that time.

Apart from her role in the beauty industry, Jamie is also an author. Her book, "Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable," co-authored with Amy J. Syed, was published in 2021. In the book, she shares her personal and professional experiences, providing inspiration and advice for those facing challenges in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Mel Robbins, 40’s

Mel Robbins is an American motivational speaker, author, television host, and life coach. Robbins is known for her practical and direct approach to self-help and personal development. She gained widespread recognition, at 42, for her TEDx talk titled "How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over," which has been viewed millions of times.

Mel Robbins became particularly successful with the publication of her book "The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage." following her positive reception at Ted Talk. The book, released in 2017, outlines a simple but powerful technique—counting down from 5 to 1—to interrupt negative thought patterns and take decisive action. "The 5 Second Rule" became a bestseller and brought Robbins further acclaim.

Before her book's success, Mel Robbins had a diverse career, including practicing law and working as a commentator on CNN. However, her rise to prominence in the personal development and motivational speaking space gained significant momentum after the success of her book and her impactful speaking engagements.

Heena Patel, 50’s

Heena Patel is the chef and co-owner of Besharam, an award-winning vegetarian restaurant in San Francisco. Born in Gujarat, she spent much of her childhood on her family’s farm in a lush region known for its cooking and a focus on a vegetarian kitchen.  She moved to California in 1992, where she spent the next twenty years raising her family and running several local businesses with her husband.

 In her late 40s, she followed her passion and attended La Cocina, a food business incubator program, opening a pop-up in 2014 called Rasoi. In 2018, at age 52, Heena partnered with chef Daniel Patterson’s Alta restaurant group to open Besharam featuring her interpretation of the bold flavors and dishes that were prevalent throughout her childhood in India, playfully reimagined within a California context.

 Besharam means “shameless,” and one of its uses is as an insult against women in India who don’t adhere to patriarchal norms. Patel is proudly besharam, and it has sparked her drive to succeed.  She won Eater’s Restaurant of the Year in 2019 and became a semifinalist in 2022 for the James Beard Foundation Award for best chef in California. Patel is a creator and her passion lies in challenging Americans’ idea of what Indian food can be.

JoAni Johnson, 60’s

JoAni Johnson is an American model who gained attention for her modeling career later in life, challenging traditional age norms in the fashion world. She became recognized for her striking presence, distinctive style, and her contributions to promoting diversity and age inclusivity in the modeling industry.

Before her modeling career, she worked in various capacities in fashion, showcasing her versatility and adaptability.  After taking some time away to be a stay-at-home mom, she found her way back to fashion by happenstance. While walking around the streets of Chelsea, she was asked to pose for some photos by a street photographer.  Those photos led to a video with Allure that became viral. She has since been featured in various fashion campaigns and editorial spreads, emphasizing the beauty and elegance that transcends age.

At 67, JoAni was cast as the face of Rihanna’s Fenty campaign breaking stereotypes and showcasing that beauty is diverse and timeless Apart from her modeling career, JoAni Johnson has become an inspirational figure, encouraging individuals to embrace their individuality and redefine societal expectations around age and beauty in the fashion and beauty industries.

Harriette Thompson, 70’s

Harriette Thompson was a classically trained pianist, motivational speaker, marathon runner, and two-time world record holder.  She gained worldwide recognition as the oldest woman to finish a marathon at the age of 92. Harriette completed the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon at age 96, breaking the record for the oldest female marathon finisher.

Harriet first began running marathons at age 76 when she was, as a cancer survivor, interested in helping to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Never considering herself an athlete, Harriette had done very little running prior to her fist marathon. She went on to run regularly and participated in 16 more marathons.

Perhaps Harriette’s most inspirational achievement was how she faced a 30-year battle with cancer with an unrelenting positive attitude. Harriette's achievements highlight the potential for individuals to pursue and excel in new endeavors, including athletic feats, later in life.  She has inspired countless others to embrace an active and fulfilling lifestyle regardless of age.