Today, November 19th, is Women's Entrepreneurship Day. On this day, we celebrate the success stories of women Creators turned eCommerce Entrepreneurs. We hope to inspire the next generation of Creators to follow in their footsteps. Vendo lets any Creator start an eCommerce marketplace and sell virtual inventory from tens of the most loved, domestic brands on Shopify, WooCommerce, or your own product line.
At Vendo, we want to help launch a 1000 Creator-led marketplaces.
To help women creators kickstart their eCommerce business, Vendo is offering them a $5,000 credit for customer success services. Check it out.
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And here are 25 successful women Creators turned eCommerce Entrepreneurs:
Gwyneth Paltrow @ Goop
Goop is a lifestyle and commerce brand launched in 2008 from Gwyneth Paltrow’s kitchen as a homespun weekly newsletter that quickly grew to 1 million subscribers.
Gwyneth wanted a place to organize her unbiased travel recommendations, health-centric recipes, and shopping discoveries for friends. Now, Goop has become a fully formed lifestyle marketplace, offering a tight curation of products and content.
Michelle Phan @ Ipsy
Ipsy is an eCommerce subscription business founded in 2011 by YouTube beauty vlogger Michelle Phan. For $10 a month, subscribers receive a “Glam Bag” with sample-sized beauty products.
Ipsy raised over $100 million in Series B funding in 2015, and with well over 2.5 million monthly subscribers, the site maintains its leading position in the beauty subscription-service industry. In contrast, Ipsy’s closest competitor, Birchbox, has 1 million monthly subscribers.
Ipsy spends very little on paid advertising; its growth can be accredited to Michelle's social media efforts, which amassed over 8 million on YouTube and over 2 million on Instagram.
Emily Weiss @ Glossier
Glossier is a beauty brand launched by Emily Weiss, a fashion assistant at Vogue. It started in 2010 as a blog called Into the Gloss featuring interviews with inspiring women and articles on skincare and makeup. 2012 saw 200,000 monthly unique visitors to the site. Come 2016, that number had risen to 1.3 million.
After the website Into the Gloss reached 10 million page views per month and gained corporate sponsorships, Weiss left her job at Vogue to focus on her business full-time. In October 2014, the Glossier.com eCommerce site was launched and introduced the company's first four products. According to Fortune, Weiss "Quietly turned Glossier into one of the most disruptive brands in beauty."
Cassandra Grey @ Violet Grey
Based in Los Angeles, California, Violet Grey is a venture-backed content and commerce beauty company with a readership base in over 170 countries and a luxury shopping destination bringing together an edit of the best in beauty.
Violet Grey started like so many 21st-century brands: as an Instagram feed. In this case, one belonging to interior designer Cassandra Grey, the company’s founder. The popular feed evolved into the Violet Files blog before taking off as an eCommerce venture.
Unlike the massive spectrum of products and price points, one might find in a Sephora or Ulta Beauty, Violet Grey’s stock is deliberately pared down. Only products that are the mainstays of celebrities and their makeup artists make it onto their shelves.
Chiara Ferragni @ The Blonde Salad
In 2009, Chiara Ferragni launched her fashion blog, TheBlondeSalad.com. In 2013, she followed that up with the launch of her brand, the Chiara Ferragni Collection. In 2016, Chiara took her style blog to the next level by turning it into a full-blown lifestyle website and expanding it into an eCommerce platform.
In 2020, Forbes nominated her as the world's most powerful fashion influencer, and Instagram announced that her Instagram profile has the second most engaging Instagram stories in the fashion category.
Huda Kattan @ Huda Beauty
Huda Kattan's journey to success began with a beauty blog and a passion for makeup. Building a community of dedicated followers, she leveraged her influence to launch the Huda Beauty eCommerce website in 2013 with her sisters. Starting with a line of false lashes, they have since expanded into multiple product categories and now have over 250 employees working around the world. Huda's business savvy has positioned Huda Beauty as an industry leader, valued at $1.25 billion. She continues to grow her empire while maintaining an engaged online presence, sharing tips and recommendations with her faithful community.
Emma Chamberlain @ Chamberlain Coffee
Emma Chamberlain first gained popularity on YouTube, where she began posting videos in the summer of 2017. Her relatable, Gen-Z aesthetic and charismatic personality quickly grew her channel to millions of subscribers. With the success of her personal brand, Emma decided to expand her empire by launching the Chamberlain Coffee brand and online store in 2019. The brand's merchandise revolves around coffee and Emma's signature edgy style, with products ranging from coffee beans to beach towels emblazoned with the company's logo. Emma was hands-on in the development process, personally selecting each coffee blend. The brand has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from Emma's dedicated fan base, leading to regularly sold-out merchandise and collaborations with major companies like Blazer Capital. At just 19 years old, Emma has firmly established herself as a successful businesswoman and social media influencer.
Emily Ratajkowski @ Inamorata
Emily Ratajkowski rose to prominence in 2013 when she appeared in Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" music video and cemented her status as a model and actress with high-profile magazine covers and roles in films like "Gone Girl" and "I Feel Pretty." With 29 million followers on Instagram, Ratajkowski has leveraged her social media presence to launch her own fashion brand, Inamorata. The swimwear label debuted in 2017 and has since expanded to include loungewear, bodysuits, and beach accessories. Ratajkowski also released the book "My Body" in 2019, which features personal essays about navigating the fashion industry as a woman.
Kayla Itsines @ Sweat
Kayla Itsines, a personal trainer from Australia, began sharing her workouts and fitness tips on Instagram in 2012. Throughout the next 6 years, her following grew to an impressive 15 million, making her one of the top fitness influencers on social media. In 2015, Kayla launched her own fitness app called Sweat, which offers customizable workout plans and access to a community of like-minded individuals. The app's success was immediate - in just one year after its launch, Sweat generated more revenue than any other fitness app and continues to thrive today.
Aimee Song @ Song of Style
Aimee Song first started her journey in the fashion world with a blog she pursued as a hobby while studying interior architecture and working two part-time jobs. As she gradually built her online following through a website and YouTube channel, she eventually joined Instagram, where she currently has over 6.5 million followers. In 2019, Song launched her own clothing line under her long-running brand "Song of Style." This dream, which she had been pursuing for years before influencers had their own brands, quickly became a success. Many of the products sold out in minutes, and popular influencers gathered in Portugal to celebrate the launch.
Charli and Dixie D’Amelio @ Social Tourist
Charli and Dixie D'Amelio rose to fame through their massive following on TikTok, but they have now also made a mark in the fashion industry with their clothing brand Social Tourist. Launched in 2021, the sisters were inspired by their upbringing in the apparel industry and wanted to create a line that would make people feel confident in their outfits. The brand name itself was inspired by the idea of people using social media as a way to express themselves and be "social tourists" online. Charli and Dixie bring not only their fashion expertise but also the influence of their huge fan base to the brand, making Social Tourist one to watch out for in the future.
Jackie Aina @ FORVR Mood
Jackie Aina is a well-known beauty creator who first started posting YouTube videos in 2008. Aina is known for her championing of diversity and equity in the influencer marketing space, particularly in the beauty industry. In addition to her YouTube videos, Aina has also launched her own scented candle business known as FORVR Mood. FORVR Mood candles can be found both on Aina’s online shop as well as at Sephora.
Cassey Ho @ Blogilates
Cassey Ho is the creator of Blogilates, a YouTube-based fitness brand that has become an empire. Ho built her platform by combining pop music and pilates routines in creative and engaging ways, which quickly attracted a loyal following. She then expanded her content to all major social platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. In addition to her popular workout videos, Ho also offers a line of Blogilates branded workout equipment through Target. This includes everything from yoga mats and kettlebells to resistance bands and fitness journals.
Morgan Eckroth @ Morgan Drinks Coffee
Morgan Eckroth is a TikTok superstar who is commonly referred to by her TikTok handle, @morgandrinkscoffee. Eckroth is well-known as a creator who mainly creates content surrounding the theme of coffee, whether it’s barista skits, latte art, or other forms of coffee comedy. Eckroth has used her handles’ likeness to build the MDC (Morgan Drinks Coffee) brand, where she sells a variety of barista-related merchandise. Morgan Drinks Coffee initially launched in 2019 as a YouTube channel but quickly shifted gears to focus on building a brand via TikTok. As of 2020, Morgan Drinks Coffee has over 5 million followers on TikTok and 920k subscribers on YouTube. Morgan has also been featured in several publications, such as Forbes and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not making videos or running her MDC empire, Morgan also works as a full-time barista.
Nikkie de Jager @ Nimya
Nikkie de Jager, also commonly known as NikkieTutorials, is one of the most popular creators in the beauty community. With over 14 years of experience within the beauty industry and 36 million followers across all social platforms, Nikkie recently launched her own beauty supply brand, Nimya, in 2021. Nikkie has always been passionate about makeup and teaching others how to use it to enhance their own natural beauty. When she first started posting videos on YouTube back in 2008, she quickly gained a following of like-minded people who were eager to learn from her. Since then, Nikkie's online presence has continued to grow, and she is now considered one of the top beauty influencers in the world. In addition to her YouTube channel, Nikkie has also amassed a large following on Instagram, where she often shares photos and videos of herself wearing Nimya products.
Juhi Godambe Jain @ Arabellaa
Juhi Godambe Jain is a fashion and lifestyle blogger who launched Arabellaa in 2015 with one goal in mind. The brand’s mission is to create a brand for women like Jain, women who love testing trends while remaining true to their personal aesthetics. Arabellaa has both an online shop, as well as one store located in Mumbai where you can find a wide variety of both clothing and accessories. Juhi Godambe Jain is originally from Mumbai and attended school at Stanford University. After working in various industries, she realized her true passion was fashion and decided to pursue it full-time by launching Arabellaa.Since its launch, the brand has seen great success, and Juhi Godambe Jain has become a well-known name in the fashion industry.
Marianna Hewitt @ Summer Fridays
Marianna Hewitt is a trusted creator in the beauty industry who developed a devoted following thanks to her honest product review videos and industry experience. In 2018, she went on to launch her clean skincare brand, Summer Fridays. Summer Fridays products can be found both on the online shop and at retailers such as Sephora and Revolve. The brand offers a variety of skincare products that are designed to help improve the appearance of the skin. Some of the most popular products include the Jet Lag Mask, which is designed to hydrate and soothe tired skin, and the Overtime Mask, which is designed to help brighten and revitalize dull skin.
Frédérique Harrel @ RadSwan
Frédérique Harrel is a beauty blogger who has been heralded as the creator who is "building the Glossier of the Black hair market." Harrel began as a beauty blogger who created RadSwan to provide ethical afro hair extensions. Since the brand's inception in 2019, the brand has added hair clips, merch, and accessories to its product line! Harrel's social media presence is strong, with over 200k followers on Instagram. Her brand has been featured in major publications such as Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour.
Rumi Neely @ Are You Am I
Rumi Neely is a fashion blogger and designer who started her blog, Fashion Toast, in 2008. She debuted her own apparel line, Are You Am I, in 2014. The clothing line’s first drop was done in collaboration with fashion retailer Revolve as a holiday pop-up shop in Los Angeles and is now sold from its own site. Are You Am I consists of airy, dainty pieces that reflect California native Neely’s everyday style, including lace appliqué dresses, open-back crop tops with puffed sleeves and minimalist gold hoops. The brand champions slow fashion, producing all pieces in Los Angeles where it says it always pays workers a living wage.
Arielle Charnas @ Something Navy
Arielle Charnas is the founder of Something Navy, a successful fashion blog-turned-clothing line. Arielle started her blog in 2009 as a style blog, but by 2020 had developed it into a full-fledged clothing line. Something Navy is known for its classic, elevated styles that are perfect for real women who want to add a touch of luxury to their everyday lives. The clothing line includes women's apparel, childrenswear, swimwear, accessories, and home decor, all designed with the modern woman in mind. Arielle is also very active on social media, with an Instagram account (@ariellecharnas)that boasts over 1 million followers. In 2018, Arielle partnered with Nordstrom, and Something Navy quickly became one of the retailer's best-selling brands ($4.4 million in sales in 24 hours according to Forbes).
Addison Rae @ Item Beauty
Addison Rae is a 20-year-old who rose to fame overnight when her dancing TikTok videos went viral. With her bubbly personality and natural beauty, Rae quickly established herself as a social media powerhouse. She has since partnered with well-known brands such as Skims and American Eagle, and in 2020, she took her experience one step further by launching her own beauty line, Item Beauty. Item Beauty consists of 13 affordable makeup, skincare, and tool products that are all inspired by Rae's perspective on beauty. For Rae, beauty is about self-love and uniqueness, two values that are reflected in her line. Gen-Zers make up the majority of Rae's fanbase, and she has said that she created Item Beauty with them in mind. With its affordable prices and accessible products, Item Beauty has something for everyone—a fact that has no doubt contributed to its popularity among Gen-Zers. Along with her 85.3 million followers, previous brand deals, and development of Item Beauty, Rae is pulling an estimated $5 million per year, placing among the few highest-earning TikTok stars (Forbes).
Enisa Bukvic @ Filtrd
Enisa Bukvic is a self-made influencer with over 800K followers on Instagram (@enisa.bukvic). She first rose to fame as a contestant on Germany's Next Top Model, but has since become known for her vivacious personality and love of all things beauty. In 2020, she decided to launch her own beauty brand, Filtrd, with the goal of creating high-quality products that are both affordable and accessible.
Raven Tracy @ Body by Raven Tracy
Raven Tracy is a model and influencer with more than 2 million followers on Instagram (@soooraven). In 2018, she launched her namesake clothing brand Body by Raven Tracy as an ode to body positivity. Tracy has worked with brands including Adidas, PrettyLittleThing, and Naked Wardrobe, and has collaborated with brands like True Religion. However, she has still faced adversities, including self acceptance and challenges with social media versus reality. These personal experiences have inspired Tracy to focus her platform on positivity in all forms. The size-inclusive clothing line (with sizes XS to 4XL) has been worn by Kylie Jenner, JT from hip-hop rap duo City Girls, and Lori Harvey.
Danielle Bernstein @ WeWoreWhat
Danielle Bernstein is a New-York native who launched her blog WeWoreWhat in 2010. Initially created to showcase daily NYC fashion, Danielle has since developed her blog into a multifaceted brand of the same name. Danielle made the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List in 2017 at just 24 years old and her 2020 autobiography “This Is Not a Fashion Story” is a New York Times’ bestseller. Danielle launched her clothing line WeWoreWhat in March 2020, offering the pieces exclusively through Macy’s until late 2020. Now, the collection is available through her own eCommerce website!
Aggie Lal @ Aggie Clo
Aggie Lal is a Los Angeles-based Polish traveler and influencer who launched her own sustainable swimwear brand, Aggie Clo, in 2018. Aggie was motivated to start her brand after 6 years of full-time travel, during which she saw first-hand the negative environmental impact of fast fashion. Aggie Clo is committed to sustainability, with all garments made from recycled materials. The brand also empowers women, with a portion of proceeds donated to support women-owned businesses. Aggie Lal's Instagram account (@aggie) has over 1 million followers, and she uses her platform to promote body positivity and self-love.
At Vendo, we want to help launch a 1000 Creator-led marketplaces. To help women creators kickstart their eCommerce business, Vendo is offering them a $5,000 credit for customer success services. Check it out.
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