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| Skinnygirl Bethenny Frakel, Christopher Polk- Getty Images |
Talking about business models, and making something from nothing, I am continually inspired by Bethenny Frankel, reality star turned Entrepreneur.
Frankel, you'll recall, was a finalist on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. While the then natural foods chef didn't win the Aprenticeship from Stewart, she was already off and running in on her own steam as savvy businesswoman soon-to-be Entrepreneur. How Bethenny Frankel Used Her Reality Show To Make 120 Million
No sooner had she wrapped the show with Stewart, when she was approached by producers of The New York Housewife's. Frankel admits that she dodged the offer for two months', as she already had a deal on the table with Pepperidge Farm.
After speaking to producers, she negotiated the right to promote her products' on the show. In a world where the show makes the star, Frankel turned around the opportunity to leverage her own business efforts.
Very clever indeed.
Her first business, "BethennyBakes" she delivered and prepared organic food to the doors' of New York's health "foodies.
Loving Margaritas, she was struck by the caloric count in the drink. She was amazed at how high the calories are in just one margarita. Frankel knocked on doors, approaching all the distributors with an idea for a reduced version of the Margarita. Unable to sell her idea to distributors, she decided this product would fill a need, and produced it herself.
Skinnygirl was born.
She partnered with David Kanbar (formerly with Skyy Vodka). Kanbar and Frankel met with mixologists' to perfect the ingredients. The business model was so successful they couldn't keep up with demand. The clever girl then sold the product to Jim Beam Distributors for a reported 120 million.
Not bad.
To date, there are two other cocktail lines in the Skinnygirl brand. Moreover, Frankel has her own exercise video, clothes line, and has several published best sellers on diet and cooking.
The girl has the "it" factor. At only 42, she is already at the top of her game. Make no mistake, it all looks so easy. But during her career ascent she rarely slept and worked outrageous hours to achieve this level of success.
Everyone has the opportunity. But few of us are willing to sacrifice so much and have the "pit bull" attitude it takes to reach the goal.
If you have the drive, the idea, and are willing to see it through to the end you are one of the chosen few.
The rest of us will sit on the sidelines and ogle at your victory.
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