Swank A Posh CEO Ebony Swank pivoted from being a high school dropout and teen mom to building a $40M+ year fashion empire that sells body-positive clothes for women in a little over a decade. Swank bootstrapped her company with $12,000, and the first iteration of her online business failed. She attributes her success to grit, determination, hard work, being data-driven, and trial and error. 

The next time you think you can’t accomplish something or there are too many cards stacked against you, listen to this episode of SheVentures for inspiration, as we take a deep dive into Swank’s life, her wins, and her trade-offs. 

Highlights:

• Swank reflects on her childhood and the sacrifices her own mother made to provide for her family.
• Swank describes her sudden pivot to becoming a teen mother.
• Swank’s first job was an entry-level position in accounting and she worked her way up.
• Trial and error: Swank’s first retail business failed, as did a hair salon.  Swank reflects on how this taught her invaluable lessons on pricing and controlling overhead costs.
• Swank reveals how she became phenomenally successful at online marketing — and shares her secret sauce.
• Insight on how to be a good negotiator and get the best outcome. 
• Taking the supply chain into her own hands.
• How many buyout offers has Swank received?
• Three key tips for women of color who want to stand out professionally.
• Paying it forward: Why Swank created a secondary business called Business Best Friends, a program to help entrepreneurs learn how to run their businesses. 
• Financial literacy and leadership in action: Swank mentors young Black women from entry-level employees to become high-level executives at Swank A Posh.