Founders

#389 The Founder of Jimmy Choo: Tamara Mellon

386 snips
May 26, 2025
Tamara Mellon recounts her rollercoaster journey of launching a luxury shoe brand against the backdrop of personal struggles and family turmoil. She shares the wisdom from her father's caution about letting accountants dictate her vision. The narrative dives into her battles with mental health and a turbulent marriage while juggling the pressures of entrepreneurship. Mellon also reflects on the relentless fight for quality against profit-driven partners, revealing the emotional strain of maintaining control over her brand. Her story underscores the resilience needed to triumph in both business and life.
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ANECDOTE

Firing Sparked New Beginning

  • Tamara Mellon was fired from Vogue after struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.
  • This low point ultimately set her on a path to founding Jimmy Choo.
ANECDOTE

Founding Jimmy Choo

  • Tamara partnered with cobbler Jimmy Choo to build a luxury shoe brand.
  • Starting with $150,000 from her father, the business was profitable from day one despite many challenges.
INSIGHT

Knowing and Ambushing Customers

  • Tamara knew her customers intimately because she was one herself.
  • She chose her first store location strategically to ambush customers where they shopped and worked, like Steve Jobs' Apple stores.
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