Q&a / Skims founder Kim Kardashian on her business empire: the reality TV star talks entrepreneurship, from whether she competes with half-sis Kylie Jenner to ‘momager’ Kris Jenner and her naysayers
- Reality star-turned-entrepreneur Kim Kardashian has been building her empire steadily, from shapewear brand Skims to skincare label SKKN, where Coty. Inc acquired a stake for US$200 million
- The 42-year-old says she’s very involved in her businesses, from formulas to fonts – and she doesn’t compete with half-sis Kylie Jenner, but is very selective about the people on her team
Kim Kardashian knows that there are plenty of people who say she has no business running a business, whether that’s a beauty brand, underwear line or private equity firm. Yet here she is.
In an interview taped for an upcoming episode of The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations, the 42-year-old said she can feel insecure amid the endless chatter about her boardroom prowess, but she uses it as fuel.
“I’ve always felt the doubt, and I’ve always just taken that as motivation to have me focus more and work harder,” said Kardashian. “It felt like I had more to prove.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Kardashian talked about competition with her half-sister Kylie Jenner, her mother Kris Jenner’s managerial abilities and her progress toward becoming a lawyer like her dad.
You’ve built several businesses, but there have been plenty of doubts along the way. How did that affect you?
I definitely always took the doubt as motivation. I always felt and still do always feel a bit insecure about it. Confident in the brand. I love creating a brand, and launching a brand, and the whole process of it. I always have those healthy nerves when you’re launching something, especially on a launch day or a product launch day.
Is there competition between you and your sisters?