In five minutes could you convince the Buyer that your product is worth it? We all talk about our elevator speech but if you had 5 Minutes of a buyers time to pitch your product what would you say?
Sara Blakely told a Neiman Marcus buyer: “I have invented a product your customers would not want to live without!” This was the beginning of the Spanx revolution.
Sara started this Spanx invention while working as a sales trainer and stand up comic! Sara had no business experience and stated that the only source to operate from was her gut!
Sara got the patent all by herself and then took her idea to mills for manufacturing. She got a call back because the mill owner admitted he had two daughters who did not think the idea was crazy at all!!
All day introducing customers to Spanx and in store rallies is how Sara spread the word because she had no marketing budget. Sara hit the road for the first year and promoted the product in stores.
Sara had huge supports from her friends. Sara admits that when the product was in Neiman Marcus she offered them money to go buy Spanx and make them a big deal. Sara’s friends also called radio stations and newspapers to spread the word on Spanx.
Five minutes and a lot of perserverance have made Sara Blakely the founder of the Spanx company which has all ready made over $250 million on retail sales (in 2007). I’m sure being featured in Oprah’s Favorite’s list had a minor part in her success 
Sara Blakely pursued her dream. Knocking door to door trying to sell her product. In the five minute phone call she convinced a buyer. If you had five minutes today to get on the phone and make your pitch would you be ready? Better yet are you listening to your gut?
I love Spanx and thank you Sara Blakely for having our back!! Literally!
Truly inspiring! Thanks for the post
Thank You! I love Spanx and the story was incredible! It’s crazy that Sara said she didn’t share her idea for two years because she didn’t want any negative feedback! She said that’s where dreams die! At 27 years of age she was an amazing entrepreneur!
I’ve been a supporter of spanx for years. Or shoudl I say….spanx has been a supporter of me?
Love this story. So inspiring. I do love my Spanx. I just don’t like wearing them in summer because I sweat like a sausage on the grill. LOL!
LOL too funny!! I love how spanx can bail a girl out in a time of need! No girdle, just comfy!
Great article! Just love to read articles like these once in a while – a success story with humour!
Hi from Orlando!
Great post! I read her story a few yrs ago, and thought, Wow!” It’s amazing what we can do when we really put ourselves out there, isn’t it?
To answer your questions: If you had five minutes today to get on the phone and make your pitch would you be ready? Better yet are you listening to your gut?
Hmmm…this will be what I reflect on today.
I think I would be ready, but now I’m questioning if I need to polish it a bit (um, yes I do!). Listening to my gut? YES, YES, YES….
Currently reading @pamslim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation and working diligently to get myself out of a cubicle that’s been a year too long! (Moved from classroom to district office in recent yrs)… now want to go totally freelance/consulting.
Thanks for the excellent reminder and inspiration. Found you in a twitter search recently. What caught my eye: runner and vet (me, too, me, too). Great to ‘meet’ you.
Great to meet you!! I’m SO happy you are following your dream and I hope to hear all about your success through you blog!!