Emma Grede’s $5B Skims Empire Sparked by Bold Cold Call to Kris Jenner

Emma Grede is the British entrepreneur behind several high-profile fashion and lifestyle ventures. She co-runs Skims with Kim Kardashian, a shapewear business valued at about $5 billion.

The pivotal outreach

Grede traces much of her success to one bold cold call in 2015. She phoned Kris Jenner directly to pitch a denim concept and a partnership.

At the time, Grede ran Independent Talent Brand and split time between London and Los Angeles. She had not previously worked with the Kardashian family.

Building Good American and commercial impact

Grede chose Khloé Kardashian as the ideal partner for an inclusive denim line. Good American launched about a year after the call.

The brand generated roughly $1 million in sales on its first day. That performance made it one of the largest denim launches in apparel history.

Expanding investments and roles

Her business interests extend beyond denim and Skims. Grede has invested in Safely, a cleaning-products company, and Kylie Jenner’s clothing line, Khy.

She also serves on the board of the Obama Foundation. She became the first Black female investor to appear on Shark Tank.

Recent collaborations

Grede partnered with tennis player Coco Gauff on a mentorship campaign. The initiative worked with UPS to support young founders.

Early hustle and career path

Grede grew up in East London and calls audacity a natural trait. She began working at age 12, starting with newspaper deliveries.

Her early résumé included deli shifts, retail jobs, and work experience at small designers and PR agencies. She later worked for Quintessentially and Inca Productions.

Through those roles she moved into event production and sponsorship. Each step provided contacts and skills she would later use as an entrepreneur.

Approach to opportunity and advice

Grede credits persistence and a willingness to seek work in person for her breakthroughs. She has said rejection became part of her process.

Her guidance for younger job seekers emphasizes transferable skills and forward motion over perfection. She urges founders to be bold and take meetings.

• Key takeaway: act on ideas rather than just talking about them.
• Key takeaway: treat every role as an opportunity to learn and connect.

Emma Grede’s story links a single strategic outreach to a broader Skims empire and a growing portfolio. Her $5B Skims association and the decision to make that bold cold call to Kris Jenner remain defining moments.

A version of this story originally published on Filmogaz.com on Sept. 23, 2025.