Before becoming a guest investor on Shark Tank worth $360 million, Emma Grede was a fashion school dropout. Here's how she went from Gucci intern to Kim Kardashian's CEO.
Updated Jul 25, 2023
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Emma Grede is a business phenom and self-made millionaire who is raking in the dough. Between an impressive 8% stake in Kim Kardashian's $32 billion SKIMS shapewear line, 23% ownership of Khloe Kardashian's Good American, 22% of Kris Jenner's Safely, and several other investments, Grede's net worth is a whopping $360 million. That earned her a spot on the 2022 Forbes list of the richest self-made women in the US.
The 40-year-old entrepreneur has made her mark on the business world by strategically investing in companies and pushing the envelope for what a modern, inclusive fashion brand can be. It's no surprise she's been invited to be a guest shark on Shark Tank and appointed chairwoman of the 15 Percent Pledge.
It's clear that Grede knows how to make money and use her wealth to further causes she believes in. She's a shining example of what's possible when you get your mind right and invest in the right places.
Net worth | $360 million |
Born | September 23, 1982 |
Nationality | British born in East London, England |
Became a millionaire at | 34 |
Occupations | Fashion show producer, talent manager, entrepreneur, business executive |
Sources of wealth | Skims, Good American, Safely |
Asset classes | Startups, apparel, and private equity |
Emma Grede's rise to wealth and fame began with a risky move and a lot of confidence. The self-made fashion entrepreneur built wealth by going against the grain and breaking barriers in the fashion industry.
Starting in her late teens, Grede (then Emma Findlay) quickly developed her skills in brokering contracts between artists, fashion designers, and brands. She then went on to start her own entertainment marketing agency, ITB, which connected her with Kris Jenner. Through Jenner, Grede was introduced to Kim Kardashian and pitched her idea for Good American.
Her forward-thinking business idea and confident approach quickly made her a fortune, as Good American is now reportedly worth over $12 million. Grede's success as a founding partner led her to become a big name in the fashion industry and build a net worth of $360 million.
Her partnership with the reality stars combined with her business savvy, Emma Grede went from a fashion school dropout to a millionaire many times over. She's become a symbol of success for young entrepreneurs everywhere, and she's certainly showing no signs of slowing down.
Emma Grede is a successful entrepreneur and investor who has made a killing by making smart investments and business decisions. Most of her investments are in three asset classes: private equity, startups, and real estate.
When it comes to private equity, Grede has her hands in a few different pies. She's the CEO of Good American, where she owns a 23% stake, and owns 22% of Safely. She also holds an 8% stake in SKIMS. But that’s not all as Grede also has smaller stakes in Frame and Brady, which is owned by her husband Jens Grede.
When it comes to startups, Grede has appeared as a guest on ABC's Shark Tank, where she teamed up with (and competed against) like-minded sharks to invest $200,000 for 30% equity in KIN Apparel and $100,000 for 10% equity in No Limbits.
Lastly, when it comes to real estate, Grede and her husband recently purchased Brad Pitt's former mid century-modern Malibu pad for $45 million and a historic Bel Air mansion for $24 million.
Emma Grede has an impressive portfolio of private equity investments that she has accumulated over years of hard work and dedication. Topping off Grede's fashion empire is her 8% stake in SKIMS valued at an incredible $256 million.
Photograph of Emma Grede and the Jenner family.
Source: forbes.com
That's not all she's invested in, though. Grede also holds 23% in Good American, 22% in Safely, and smaller investments in Frame and BRADY. Looks like Emma Grede knows how to invest wisely. With her strategic private equity investments, she's well on her way to becoming one of the wealthiest self-made women in the US. Watch out, Oprah.
2023 looks to be an interesting year for private equity investment. With near-record levels of dry powder at $1.1 trillion and GPs looking to put it to work, the market is ripe for savvy investors. Valuations are settling, but there are still opportunities to be had at discounted prices.
The JP Morgan Asset Management's projection of 9.9% return in 2023 is a tantalizing prospect that is sure to have investors lining up. And with a median manager alpha still higher than the 15-year average, there's no doubt that investors are looking to cash in on the coming year.
So, whether you're an experienced investor or a newbie looking to dip your toe in the PE waters, 2023 could be your year.
Emma Grede is a force to reckon with in the startup world. She swoops in with her big wallet, ready to make big investments in the right ideas. With her debut on ABC's Shark Tank, she's become the first Black female shark, and she isn't holding back.
Take KIN Apparel, for instance. Grede and Lori Greiner teamed up and offered $200,000 for 30% equity in the hair care-focused clothing brand, which is a pretty impressive investment.
Emma Grede closing her deal with Philomina Kane's Kin Apparel on ‘Shark Tank.’
Source: Shark Tank/ABC
And it doesn't stop there. Grede paired up with Mark Cuban to invest $100,000 for 10% equity in No Limbits, an adaptive apparel company. With an investment like that, you can safely bet on these startups being successful.
Emma Grede is on a mission to invest in the best ideas to help turn them into great businesses. She's a true shark, unafraid to make big waves in the startup world.
Startups have been a hot commodity lately, like a rare Pokémon card or the must-have designer handbag of the season. VCs have invested over $500 billion since 2016, making it a better ROI than a slot machine or a lottery ticket.
In the past six quarters alone, a whopping $261 billion was pumped into startups, enough to fill up the entire ‘dry powder’ of $290 billion and then some. It looks like startups are here to stay for both regular investors and venture capitalists. VCs are investing 8% to 9% of their capital every quarter. Valuations may dip due to a public market correction, but they’ll still be a great investment.
With VCs investing a record amount of money into startups, and the trend expected to continue for the next couple of years, now could be a great time to get involved.
Emma Grede and her husband Jens recently decided to take their finances to the next level with their latest real estate move. Instead of racking up credit card debt, they splurged and bought Brad Pitt's former mid-century-modern Malibu pad for an eye-watering $45 million—five times more than what he paid for in 2005. But that's not all.
The Grede's 11,700-square-foot Bel-Air mansion was purchased for $24 million in 2020.
Source: magazinec.com
They also bought a historic Bel Air estate that's fit for royalty, with seven bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, and 11,650 square feet of living space—all for the bargain price of $24 million.
The U.S. real estate market is looking like a game of Monopoly in the first quarter of 2023. Interest rates are sitting high at 6.2%, 6.5%, and 6.6%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, respectively. That's more than double the 3.11% average rate we saw last year.
But don’t worry, you can still get a great deal if you’re a smart investor. If you’re willing to take a risk, you could try to negotiate lower prices and invest now before the rates climb even higher. Or if you can't wait, you can invest starting at $100 with Elevate and earn up to 10% target returns.