Three success lessons from Mpoomy Ledwaba's interview with Emma Grede
British businesswoman Emma Grede helped start billion-dollar brands, including Kim Kardashian's popular shapewear and loungewear company SKIMS.
Emma Grede is sharing her secrets to success with South Africans.
The businesswoman and investor sat down for an interview with 'Wisdom & Wellness' podcaster Mpoomy Ledwaba to talk about her new book, 'Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life'.
The book has been described as a "no-BS guide for anyone seeking meaningful success on their own terms".
In 2025, she was named one of 'America's Richest Self-Made Women', and, according to Forbes, has a net worth of over $405 million.
Emma and her husband, Jens Grede, are behind some of the world's biggest fashion brands. The 43-year-old is a founding partner of Kim Kardashian's brand SKIMS, which is valued at $5 billion.
Emma is also the co-founder of Good American, a body-positive fashion brand she launched with Khloé Kardashian in 2026.
Some of her other business ventures include a home cleaning range with Kirs Jenner called Safely and Kylie Jenner's clothing label, Khy.
Emma tells Mpoomy that her humble beginnings helped her become the businesswoman she is today.
The 'Shark Tank' guest judge grew up in East London, England, where, as a teenager, she delivered newspapers.
It was here that she learned one of her first success lessons.
1. Apply a level of excellence to everything you do
Emma says she learned the importance of hard work and attention to detail very early. "You can apply a level of excellence to anything," she says.
"And for me, that started on my paper rounds. I can fold a newspaper like nobody. You put it in the letterbox, it's never gonna rip, it's going to be perfect. I make beautiful sandwiches, and a nice cappuccino when I worked in the deli."
Grede says that in order to stand out, applying a level of excellence works at any level. "Now, where I am, being very focused on delivering best-in-class products, and delivering them to customers, and always pleasing and delighting customers, came from this early baseline of just doing anything that I could really well."
2. Take responsibility for your own success and life
Emma says she learned in her late teens that no one was coming to save her.
"I had very little choice but to take my life into my own hands. The moment I assumed total responsibility for myself, and I wasn't looking over there and having an expectation, that's when stuff started to change for me. The minute I was like, I am responsible for this life."
I'm responsible for my own happiness. I'm responsible for my own work ethic. I'm responsible for if this is going to be a good day or a bad day. It's all within me.
3. Start with yourself
Emma also shares advice for women building careers and businesses while growing their families. Her number one tip is to start with yourself.
"You have to start with yourself... no one is coming to suddenly rescue you. If you have ambition, it's going to require some discomfort, and if you want money, it's going to require some audacity.
"We are desperately in need of more women in positions of power in this world this world right now, but nobody is coming to give you power, you have to take it."
Watch Emma Grede's full interview with Mpoomy Ledwaba on YouTube below or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Image credit: YouTube/Mpoomy Ledwaba