EMMA GREDE’S LIFE STORY IS A TESTAMENT THAT luck DOESN’T HAPPEN BY accident.

It's the result of taking action…

The East London native built and scaled several businesses throughout her career—most famously as the co-founder of Good American and a founding partner of SKIMS, two brands that have generated billions in revenue. She’s also the first Black woman investor on Shark Tank. On her podcast Aspire, and in her New York Times bestselling book Start With Yourself, Grede shares hard-won lessons on ambition, leadership, and the often-unspoken trade-offs women face in business. Unapologetic about her drive, she’s proving to a new generation of founders that extraordinary success is possible, but only with extraordinary effort.

Read about Emma Grede’s journey in her C&C 100 interview below.

What’s an early memory from growing up in East London that shaped your perspective on fashion?

We didn’t have much, but we took real pride in how we showed up. My mum was incredibly resourceful. That taught me early that fashion isn’t about price, it’s about intention and confidence.

You’ve spoken publicly about your belief in putting money in the center of your plans. How has this belief shaped the way you’ve built your career in apparel?

Money has to be part of the strategy from day one. I’ve always built businesses with scale and profitability in mind because actual profitability gives you options, it’s what allows you to grow and stay relevant.

As a Shark Tank investor, what components does a founder need to have to capture your interest? How do you know a founder has a business idea that’s really special?

I look at the founder first – resilience, clarity, and whether they really understand their numbers. The best founders are deeply connected to their customer and know exactly why their product needs to exist and are solving problems.

In your book Start With Yourself, you discuss having to take on a lot of responsibility in your youth as the eldest child of four. How did that part of your life shape your leadership style?

It allowed me to understand just how much I was actually capable. It made me very accountable and solution-oriented. I don’t wait for perfect conditions – I move. But it also gave me empathy, which is just as important when you’re leading a team.

What advice would you give someone who is struggling to find their path in life?
Start with yourself. Get honest about your strengths, take action, and be more honest about your weaknesses. Build from there. You don’t find clarity by waiting, you find it by doing.

What’s one word that describes the era your career is in?
Expansion.

What’s one garment or accessory that can make or break an outfit?

A great pair of jeans. If the fit is right, everything else works.

You’ve just launched an incredible book, your Aspire podcast is highly successful, and you’re one of the most influential voices in fashion and business right now. Looking ahead, what does long-term success look like for you?

For me, it’s about building businesses that last and creating real opportunities for other people. Longevity and impact matter more than anything.

In your book Start With Yourself, you discuss having to take on a lot of responsibility in your youth as the eldest child of four. How did that part of your life shape your leadership style?