Kim Kardashian: A Journey from Reality TV Star to a Billion-Dollar Business Mogul

URL copied to clipboard.
Loading the player...

Kim Kardashian has transformed from a reality TV star into one of the most successful businesswomen globally, amassing a staggering net worth of nearly $1.8 billion.

Beginnings In Business 

Kim K’s history as a business woman actually predates her family’s reality TV show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

 Kim Kardashian attends as Tiffany & Co. celebrates the launch of the Lock Collection at Sunset Tower Hotel on October 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 26: Kim Kardashian attends as Tiffany & Co. celebrates the launch of the Lock Collection at Sunset Tower Hotel on October 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.)

 

The star always had a love for clothes and shopping, and she found out she could turn her passion into profit through eBay.

Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian attends the grand opening of DASH Miami Beach at Dash Miami Beach on March 12, 2014 in Miami Beach, Florida.
MIAMI BEACH, FL – MARCH 12: Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian attends the grand opening of DASH Miami Beach at Dash Miami Beach on March 12, 2014 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/FilmMagic)

 

Kardashian started reselling designer clothes online, and had so much success she started a line of high end boutiques called ‘DASH’ with her sisters in 2006.

Television personality Kim Kardashian prepares for the store opening at Dash Store Soho on November 2, 2010 in New York City.
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 02: Television personality Kim Kardashian prepares for the store opening at Dash Store Soho on November 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

During an interview with Variety in 2015, the star revealed that she viewed the TV show as an advertising platform for her and her sisters’ clothing stores, stating, “When the opportunity for our TV show came about, I wanted to do it to bring attention to our stores. I was thinking this might not last very long, but we’ll grow a great business and expand online. I thought it would be great press. I didn’t think it would turn into what it turned into.”

ADVERTISEMENT

However, as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” gained unprecedented popularity, Kardashian recognized the need to diversify her ventures.

The Kardashian Expands Her Empire

In 2014, the Kardashian created an app called Kim Kardashian Hollywood. The app was a game similar to the Sims, where the player tried to get as famous as possible.

The app ended up making $43 million after its first year, with over 23 million players worldwide.

In a similar vein, Kim Kardashian also introduced Kimojis in 2015, an app that allowed users to purchase various emojis and GIFs inspired by the reality show. Glamour magazine reported that, during the app’s launch, it was reportedly making $1 million per minute.

Kim Kardashian West attends KKW Beauty at ULTA Beauty at Courtyard at the Commons.
CALABASAS, CA – DECEMBER 06: Kim Kardashian West attends KKW Beauty at ULTA Beauty at Courtyard at the Commons on December 6, 2018 in Calabasas, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for KKW Beauty)

 

ADVERTISEMENT

Not long after, Kim ventured into the world of skincare and fragrance. The mogul launched KKW Fragrance in 2017 and SKKN in 2022.

Massive Success Behind SKIMS

Last but not least, one of the Kardashian family’s most renowned and beloved business ventures is undoubtedly Skims. The loungewear and shape wear brand was launched in September of 2019.

Kim Kardashian visits the Skims Summer Pop-Up Shop in the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center on May 16, 2023 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: Kim Kardashian visits the Skims Summer Pop-Up Shop in the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center on May 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for SKIMS)

Fans have celebrated Skims for its inclusive campaigns. Many acknowledging the brand is accessible to individuals of all sizes, including those with disabilities.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian)

As of this week, Skims has launched a men’s line. The move is being celebrated by numerous fans of Kim Kardashian and her brands as another step towards brand diversity.

More headlines