From premier fashion designers to tech giants, these women redefined success and power by being the world’s top entrepreneurs, building their business against all odds. Here are world’s most powerful women entrepreneurs who would inspire you to breathe business and be most successful.
1. Sara Blakely, Founder SPANX
Founder SPANX Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, a renowned hosiery company based in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 29, she spent the savings of her entire life, $5,000, trying to innovative something beautiful to wear her under white slacks. From there onwards, she found her new line of shaping underwear, which was named as one of Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things. Since then, Spanx has journeyed long from a one-product wonder to a business powerhouse, with over $250 million in annual revenues and an estimated net profit margin at 20%. In 2012, she was listed in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and was acclaimed as 93rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2014.
2. Arianna Huffington, Founder The Huffington Post
Arianna Huffington Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, the leading American online new aggregator and blog. A Greek-American author and a syndicated columnist, she was a renowned conservative commentator in the mid 1990s and became a liberal later. Her initiative continues to gain momentum, expanding its reach by incorporating new international editions. A dynamic and forward-looking entrepreneur, she is ranked in the list of Forbes World’s Most Powerful Women in 2015.
3. Dianna Von Furstenberg, Founder DVF
Dianna Von Formerly Princess Diane of Furstenberg, Dianna Von Furstenberg is a Belgian-born American fashion designer who first invented the iconic wrap dress. She is the founder of DVF, a leading fashion company that has journeyed long from being an introduction to the famous wrap dress to a global luxury lifestyle brand that offers four complete collections every year. The brand is now available in over 7 countries and 45 free standing shops globally. She is now the president of the trade association of America’s top 350 designers.
4. Cher Wang, Cofounder HTC
Cher Wang Cher Wang is a Taiwanese entrepreneur and philanthropist, and is the cofounder and chairperson of HTC Corporation and integrated chipset maker VIA Technologies. HTC is the manufacturer of one out of every six Smartphones sold in the United States today. She plays an active role in the company’s day to day operations and is working to bring HTC’s operations and sales back on a positive path. She is considered one of the most powerful women in technology and a successful entrepreneur with huge net worth.
5. Indra Nooyi, CEO PepsiCo
IndraNooyi Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi, is an Indian-born American businesswoman and the current Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of PepsiCo, the 2nd largest food and beverage business in the world by net revenue. Though not an entrepreneur in literal sense of being a founder of the company, she has ably been at the helm of affairs taking the company to new heights. A Master of Business Administration from Yale School of Business, Nooyi has directed PepsiCo’s global strategy for over a decade and has initiated the company’s restructuring. Since she began as CFO in 2001, the company’s annual net profit has increased from $2.7 billion to $6.5 billion. She has continuously ranked among the 100 most powerful women in the world. In 2015, she is ranked 15 in Forbes list of World’s 100 most powerful women.