Spanx by Sara Blakely

I never dreamed visible panty lines and uncomfortable thongs would inspire me to become an inventor.

Like so many women, I bought clothes that looked amazing in a magazine or on the hanger, but in reality magnified every panty line and imperfection — clothes that eventually made their way to the “maybe one day I’ll be flawless” section of my closet where they remained unworn.

With $5,000 in savings out of the back of my apartment, a whole lot of internet research, patent writing, cold-calling, less-than-shy demonstrations for buyers, and a call from Oprah…Spanx was born!