Feeling Down about your Startup? Learn from the Spanx Startup Story

Ladies, know how difficult it is to get the right pair of underwear for a pair of cream or white pants? (sorry fellows). Well, this is the problem that Sara Blakley, Founder of Spanx underwear had. This "pain" made her recognize the need for her business--Spanx. At 27 years old, Sara founded her company Spanx, a company that provides footless body shaping pantyhose for women, that creates slim shaping and invisible lines.

Although Spanx is now a 300 million dollar company, even Sara had some difficulty when starting. She had the idea of the product she wanted, but her first step was to get a patent for the idea. Then, she had to convince manufacturers to help her produce a product for patent. After calling several manufacturing companies, she finally got an interview with one who ended up agreeing only after being convinced by his young daughter.

After this step, she then had to make lots of calls to find retailers willing to sell her product. Neiman Marcus was the first retailer to agree to carry Spanx; but only after Sara gave a personal demonstration in a bathroom stall!

It took Sara two years of planning and behind-the-scenes work to get her product in a major retailer. It also took her two years to get a mills manufacturer to produce her products!

Now, she has an office for Spanx with over 75 employees, boosts millions in sales and has a recognized brand. Plus, she has celebrities as clients.

So you think your startup project looks painful and fruitless right now? Think again!! You will have just as many bad days as you will good days. The key is to

• Be patient: you will not be an overnight hit, plan your business while you work or pursue educational interests


• Be open to change: you will have to analyze the changes in your business and market and adjust your products or services accordingly

Learn this from a proven brand--Spanx! Most importantly, take it one day at a time!!!

About the Author: Cheryl Isaac is the writer of this blog and the Founder & CEO of Isaac Business Services LLC; an agency that caters to start-up businesses. http://www.isaacbusinessservices.com/