Bethenny Frankel: I Built a $120 Million Empire Thanks to Reality TV

By Kelly Fisher Posted Apr 22nd 2011 06:35AM

Bethenny Frankel turned a small business into an empire -- and she owes it all to reality television. The natural chef-turned-reality star has raked in a whopping $120 million thanks to the exposure provided by 'The Real Housewives of New York City' and 'Bethenny Ever After,' according to the Hollywood Reporter.

However, Frankel didn't exactly jump at the chance to join the Bravo franchise when producers first approached her. Having previously seen her on the ill-fated 'The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,' producers saw reality gold in Frankel's, well, frank personality.

"I was worried it would ruin what I had going," she said about her hesitation to join the show, which debuted in 2008. "I went on the show single-handedly and exclusively for business ... When I went on the show, no one was going on for business, no one had done anything."

Bravo had no problem with Frankel promoting her businesses on 'Housewives.' She wasn't there to attend cocktail parties seven nights a week, she used the opportunity to create her empire.

"I'm not running around buying diamonds and getting facials," Frankel says of her 'Real Housewives' experience. "I just decided to be totally honest and own it. You can't do something you don't stand for just to make money. It's a smart audience, people will realize it."

She continues, "Everything I create is a solution to a problem that women have. I don't like to wear lingerie, but my husband loves it. So I created lazy lingerie. You wear it under a blazer or sweater during the day, but when you pull it off, you have on lingerie. It solves a problem."

Frankel has created an umbrella of problem-solving products and endorsements under her name: workout DVDs, books, clothing and weight-loss supplements, just to name a few. However, it was her love of margaritas but hatred of their high calorie count that gave Frankel the business idea of a lifetime: the Skinnygirl Margarita.

It took some time, but the low-calorie alcoholic drink eventually took off and Frankel has been in the black ever since. The reality star now has a hefty deal with Fortune Brands' Beam Global -- hefty as in $120 million -- to produce the drink worldwide.

"Now, every company I pitched this idea to has either tried to buy Skinnygirl or has copied it," Frankel says. "I created a sub-category that never existed. I wasn't an expert -- I was just another person bothered by a 700-calorie margarita."

Tags: Bethenny Frankel

Comments

(47)

Friday 22 April

By jim

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Bethenny Frankel you are great and deserve every thing you get.God bless you and good luck with your family and your empire..Bethenny keep your show going on Bravo it's great watching you build your empire....

By simpsonsimpmike

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Be careful if the empire stricks back, led by the millionaire BUB.

By Bill

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She looks like the female version of Clutch Cargo. Gotta jaw line like a steam shovel.

By cannoc17

Yay Bethenny! You go girl! The haters are just JEALOUS!

By please...

It's ludicrous that some of you think that just because someone dislikes another person they are jealous. Grow up, what is that 8th grade logic? People don't like Bethenny because she is abrasive, rude, self absorbed, loves to play the victim, and her "humor" is often mean spirited. This has nothing to do with jealousy, it has to do with knowing a shrew when you see one.

By carolm393

Love you Bethenny. You are real on so many levels. I am sick of these people pointing out your jawline, like they are perfect. I think that you dress well, say what you feel, are very loving, and say the most hilarious things. Good for you Bethenny. Continued success in all areas of your life!

By Phil

Bethenney should hire a spelling teacher to help her with the spelling of her first name. What a jerk!

By somanyhaters

Its not like she named herself!! Idiot.

By oakspondman

Hey Phil, did you name yourself when you were born.

Sunday 24 April

By M

And you totally spelled it right... right?

By Roger

The woman is smart as a whip where business is involved. She has earned everything she's gotten. As a human she's as cold as can be. She has a permanent wall she's erected, most probably due to her chilhood woes, and she does not let anyone get past that wall. Her husband will tire of her coldness eventually and her daughter will be affected by it. She is a business robot with no time for any normal relations.

By Lyn

You nailed it Roger! She never gives that child any love or attention. I just can't stand her shallow money grubbing mind! That baby is always turned away from her so she never has to look her. Poor little child she will be at the shrink in no time. Another messed up child of a egomaniac self centered witch.

Saturday 23 April

By mary

Hey Roger, Do you know her personally...sure sounds like it, so who are you?

By cassie

That's just mean! Are you willing to post your photo for the world to criticize??

By doneldathomas

GOOD for her.. YOU GO GIRL!!!

What - are you mental?? Some parents like to make little changes to the spelling of their child's name. It's not like a regular word that has a right way and wrong ways. That is her name you idiot. She can spell it anyway she likes!

By Pompano Ann

Smart Lady! If you set your mind to it America is great place to succeed. Don't critize her success learn from it! She worked it and worked it to her advantage; anyone would have done it; she the know you whats to do it!

By dee

Bethany is one smart woman, all the power to her she's kicking a-- and all who don't like it are jealous:)

Isn't your name really spelled PHILLLEO:)

By Dee

She created an empire for herself with that face on. What did your face (and brain)do for you?

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