Bethenny Frankel: I Built a $120 Million Empire Thanks to Reality TV
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."
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I think shes great! She is smart and down to earth ! I'm happy for her. She deserves everything she gets she is a hard worker,a great mother and wife.
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She is amazing and smart and guttsy!!
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I think Bethanny is a super,person. She is not only intelligent & independent, but has this wonderful wit about her that is so genuine. She so self motived & on her game. I realize she's had those ups & downs but one thing about her is that she owns her actions. She doesn't B.S behind others backs. I'm so proud of her healthy baby; her wonderful marriage & ever-expanding empire. You are such an inspirtion Bethanny. Best Wishes & I will keep watching!!
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I'd do her. She is attractive. Oh, and rich.
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i think she is fabulous, we don't know what tramas she's suferd so stop with all that B.S.poeple! he is a women who made something of herself, by herself and her wit....i think she should be celadrated and for all tou spelling geeks...thats right, my spelling sucks but i have way to many others talents to care.....thank you betany for giving women the role model we all need ....underdogs speak up..........
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BETHAMY IS LOUD CRUDE UGLY AND IM NOTTTTTTTT JELOUSE ......WATCHED THE SHOW ABOUT MARRIED WOMAN FROM MANHATEN AND B. WAS THE ONLY UNMARRIED NE............SHE GOT MARRIED AT 38 BECAUSE NMEN DIID NOT LIKE HER UNTILL SHE MADEMONEY NOW WHO'S SORRY NOW..SHE WILL BE DIVORCED SOOOON AS U SHALL SEE.I KNEW HER AND SHE WAS A TINY A.S..S.HOL.E NEVER FRIENDLY EVEN TO MEN,.................MONEY DOES NOT BRING U HAPPINESS..............GOOD LUCK TO HER SHE WILL NEED IT........DEBI
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Money can never change the fact that
you are UGLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!
Face it! Women love buying things, and watching other ugly women.
Men don't!
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