Emma Grede is a British entrepreneur and fashion executive who has built a multi-brand empire centred on inclusivity. She is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Good American, a pioneering size-inclusive denim brand, and as a founding partner of SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and loungewear line. In 2023, she became an investor on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, and in 2026 she published her first book, Start With Yourself. Born in East London to a single mother of Jamaican and Trinidadian heritage, her trajectory from a council estate to the Obama Foundation board of directors has made her one of the most closely watched British business figures of her generation.
Grede, now based in Los Angeles, has been described as a multi-millionaire by outlets such as Elle and appears regularly on Forbes’ lists of America’s richest self-made women. Her career spans founding the brand incubator ITB Worldwide, partnering with the Kardashian family, and expanding into plant-based cleaning products with Safely. She is also a mother of four and is married to Swedish entrepreneur Jens Grede, the CEO of SKIMS.
Who is Emma Grede?
- Known For: Co-founder & CEO of Good American; Founding Partner of SKIMS; Dragons’ Den investor
- Born: September 23, 1982 (Age 43 as of 2026)
- Estimated Net Worth: $150 million – $200 million (estimated, varied sources)
- Book: Start With Yourself (published April 2026)
Key Insights
- Emma Grede has built a multi-brand empire targeting inclusivity in fashion, co-founding Good American with Khloé Kardashian and being an early partner in Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS.
- Her role as an investor on BBC’s ‘Dragons’ Den’ marks a significant expansion into mainstream media influence in the UK.
- Her marriage to Jens Grede, the CEO of SKIMS, makes them a powerful couple in the global fashion industry.
- Her book ‘Start With Yourself’ moves her brand from fashion into the personal development space.
- She serves on the board of the Obama Foundation, indicating a deep commitment to philanthropy and public service.
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emma Findlay Grede |
| Birth Date | 23 September 1982 |
| Birth Place | London, England, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | London College of Fashion |
| Spouse | Jens Grede (m. 2013) |
| Children | 4 |
| Known Roles | CEO Good American, Founding Partner SKIMS, Investor on Dragons’ Den |
| Notable Board | Obama Foundation Board of Directors |
| Book | Start With Yourself (Crown Publishing, 2026) |
Who is Emma Grede’s Husband? (Jens Grede)
Emma Grede is married to Jens Grede, a Swedish entrepreneur who serves as the CEO of SKIMS. The couple met in 2012 through mutual connections in the fashion industry and married the following year. Together, they have four children and are widely regarded as a formidable power couple in the global fashion and direct-to-consumer business landscape.
Jens Grede co-founded the marketing agency Saturday Group and later became an early partner in SKIMS alongside his wife and Kim Kardashian. His role as CEO of SKIMS has placed him at the centre of the brand’s rapid growth, which Forbes valued at over $4 billion in 2023. The Gredes maintain homes in both Los Angeles and London.
Emma and Jens Grede together hold founding stakes in SKIMS and Good American. Their combined expertise in brand strategy, marketing, and operations has been central to both companies’ success in disrupting the fashion and shapewear markets.
Does Emma Grede have sisters?
Yes. Grede is one of four daughters. She grew up in a single-mother household in Plaistow, East London, alongside her three sisters. The names of her sisters are not widely publicised; she has spoken about her upbringing in interviews but generally keeps detailed family information private.
What Companies Did Emma Grede Co-Found? (Good American, SKIMS)
Emma Grede’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2008 with the founding of ITB Worldwide, a talent management and marketing agency that she later sold. Her most high-profile ventures, however, came through partnerships with the Kardashian family.
Good American
In October 2016, Grede launched Good American with Khloé Kardashian. The brand debuted with a denim line offering sizes from 00 to 24, a move that challenged the industry’s narrow sizing standards. Good American quickly became a benchmark for inclusivity in fashion and has since expanded into activewear, swimwear, and dresses.
Good American launched with 15 sizes, from 00 to 24, and featured models of diverse body types. The brand’s initial sell-out of its first collection was widely covered as a sign that size-inclusive fashion had significant consumer demand.
SKIMS
Grede became a founding partner of SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s solutions-oriented shapewear and loungewear brand. In some sources she is also described as chief product officer. SKIMS has grown into a multi-billion-dollar company, valued at $4 billion in 2023, and is known for its wide size range and inclusive marketing.
Other ventures
Grede co-founded Safely, a plant-powered cleaning brand, and in 2023 became a founding investor in Khy, an online fashion brand. Each new venture reflects her model of partnering with established names to create products that fill gaps in the market.
What is Emma Grede’s Net Worth in 2025?
Reported estimates of Emma Grede’s net worth vary significantly by source and date. One 2025 profile pegged her net worth at $390 million, while another cited over $320 million. A 2026 media profile describes her as a multi-millionaire and notes her inclusion on Forbes lists of America’s richest self-made women, but does not provide a precise current figure.
Net worth figures for private business owners are often based on valuations of their stakes in companies that are not publicly traded. The $150 million to $200 million range commonly cited online is an estimate; exact personal wealth is not independently verifiable.
What is Emma Grede’s Book ‘Start With Yourself’ About?
Published in April 2026, Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life is Grede’s first book. The volume draws on her own journey from a council estate in Plaistow to boardrooms in Los Angeles. It is positioned as a guide to building a career and life on one’s own terms, focusing on self-belief, resilience, and practical steps for entrepreneurship. Crown Publishing released the book, which has been promoted through her personal website and major retailers.
What is Emma Grede’s Family Background?
Emma Grede was born Emma Findlay on 23 September 1982 in London, England. Her mother, Jenny-Lee Findlay, is English. Her father is described in one source as Trinidadian and in another as Jamaican and Trinidadian. She was raised by her Jamaican stepfather and by her single mother in Plaistow, East London. She has described her childhood as “really poor” and has said she started a paper round at age 12.
Her family background is commonly characterised as having immigrant roots from Jamaica and Trinidad. She is one of four daughters. This early experience of financial hardship and multicultural heritage has been a recurring theme in her public narrative, often cited as the foundation of her drive and empathy in business.
How Did Emma Grede Become Successful?
- 1982 – Born Emma Findlay Grede in London, England.
- 2000s – Early career in brand consulting and fashion marketing after studying at the London College of Fashion. Works at Quintessentially, Inca Productions, and Saturday Group.
- 2008 – Founded ITB Worldwide, a talent management and marketing agency (later sold).
- 2012 – Met future husband Jens Grede.
- 2013 – Married Jens Grede.
- October 2016 – Co-founded Good American with Khloé Kardashian, launching a size-inclusive denim line.
- 2019 – Became a founding partner of SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand.
- 2021 – Joined the Board of Directors of the Obama Foundation.
- 2023 – Announced as a new investor on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den.
- April 2026 – Published her first book, Start With Yourself.
What is Certain and What Remains Uncertain About Emma Grede?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born on 23 September 1982 in London. | Exact net worth figures vary widely across sources and cannot be independently verified as exact. |
| CEO and co-founder of Good American. | Detailed names of her sisters are not widely publicised. |
| Founding partner of SKIMS. | The precise timeline of her educational degrees is sometimes reported differently. |
| Married to Jens Grede. | |
| Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den. | |
| Author of Start With Yourself. |
Why is Emma Grede Significant in Fashion and Business?
Emma Grede represents a new wave of entrepreneurial celebrity, moving beyond influencer status into genuine business building. Her success with Good American and SKIMS demonstrates mastery of the direct-to-consumer (D2C) model combined with celebrity brand power. Her role on Dragons’ Den signifies a shift from US-centric business to a broader UK and global profile. The publication of Start With Yourself suggests an intent to solidify a personal brand as a thought leader, not just a fashion executive. Her philanthropic role with the Obama Foundation adds credibility and social impact that distinguishes her from many peers.
What Do Authoritative Sources Say About Emma Grede?
“She is a British businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.”
BBC / Wikipedia
“Emma Grede is the ultimate mogul. She’s the co-founder and CEO of Good American, the founding partner of SKIMS…”
emmagrede.me (personal bio)
“She helped define a generation of creators.”
Instagram bio (@emmagrede)
What is the Overall Story of Emma Grede?
Emma Grede’s journey from a council estate in East London to the Obama Foundation board and a multi-million-pound fashion empire illustrates the power of pairing business acumen with celebrity partnerships. Through Good American, SKIMS, Safely, and her media presence on Dragons’ Den, she has carved a unique space as a builder of inclusive brands. Her book Start With Yourself aims to extend that influence into the personal development arena. For those interested in other British female entrepreneurs, the profile of Karren Brady – Net Worth, Career and Life Story offers a similarly compelling case study.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Grede
Is Emma Grede related to Khloé Kardashian?
No, they are business partners. Khloé Kardashian is the co-founder of Good American alongside Emma Grede. They are close friends and collaborators, not relatives.
How many children does Emma Grede have?
Emma Grede and her husband Jens Grede have four children, according to recent 2026 profiles.
What is Emma Grede’s education background?
Emma Grede studied at the London College of Fashion, where she gained expertise in branding and fashion business.
Did Emma Grede sell a company?
Yes, she co-founded the brand incubator and marketing firm ITB Worldwide, which was later sold to a larger marketing group, generating significant wealth.
Where can I buy Emma Grede’s book?
Start With Yourself is available at major book retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores, as well as through her personal website.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.