Happy birthday, Kim Kardashian: Here’s how the influencer built her business empire

Ah, yes, “culture”. That nebulous concept that every brand now desperately tries to manufacture. But with Kardashian, you get the sense it’s less about buzzwords and more about instinct. She is a master at tapping into the zeitgeist, whether it’s selfies, shapewear or whatever’s next. So when she talks about “culture”, it’s not some marketing seminar takeaway, it’s the very air she breathes. Whether that translates into savvy investing with Skky Partners remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Kardashian’s got the Midas touch when it comes to cultural relevance.

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Talk about tone-deaf. This quote landed Kardashian in hot water—and rightfully so. It’s the kind of “hustle porn” that ignores the realities of systemic inequality and privilege. Coming from someone born to wealth and fame, it came across as out of touch, to put it mildly. 

This is reminiscent of the time she said, “My parents didn’t give me financial help when I was starting out. Nothing.” Sure, Kardashian hustled, she had a vision, but let’s not pretend she was starting from scratch. That Kardashian trust fund? Yeah, that probably helped a little. It’s a reminder that while hard work is essential, a healthy dose of inherited wealth never hurts.

Business partnerships can be like marriages, full of compromise, negotiation and the occasional screaming match. So, surrounding yourself with people you actually like (or at least tolerate) is crucial. Kardashian’s partnership with Jens and Emma Grede for Skims is a prime example. The Gredes are a power couple in the fashion industry. Jens co-founded the denim brand Frame, and Emma is a marketing whiz who’s worked with brands like ITB Worldwide (where she helped launch the careers of influencers like Chiara Ferragni). Their combined expertise in fashion, branding and marketing perfectly complements Kim’s star power and product vision.

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As for her private equity partners, the key player is Jay Sammons. He is a seasoned investor with an impressive track record at The Carlyle Group, where he led investments in companies like Supreme and Beats by Dre. His experience in identifying and scaling consumer brands aligns perfectly with Kim's ambitions for Skky Partners.

This is Kim in full “boss babe” mode. And while she may exaggerate a tad, it speaks to her desire to be seen as more than just a pretty face. She wants us to know she’s got the brains to match the beauty, that she's not just signing cheques, she’s writing them. It’s a message that resonates with her fans, who see her as an empowered woman taking charge of her destiny.

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