Emma Grede
British businesswoman and company founder
About Emma Grede
Born 1982. Emma Grede is a British businessperson, entrepreneur and good American.
Emma Findlay Grede (born 23 September 1982) is a British businesswoman, entrepreneur and fashion designer. She is recognised for her business ventures involving members of the Kardashian family and is the CEO and co-founder of the denim company Good American, a founding partner of Skims, and co-founder of Safely.
Early life Grede was born and raised in the Plaistow neighbourhood of East London, England. She is the daughter of Jenny-Lee Findlay, an English mother who worked for Morgan Stanley. Her father is Trinidadian, but she was raised by her Jamaican step-father.
Starting as a teenager, Emma began working at a number of odd jobs, including delivering newspapers, which she credits for teaching her perseverance and discipline. She regularly saved her earnings to purchase magazines like Elle and Vogue and has noted that the fashion industry was a form of escapism for her.
At the age of 16, Grede enrolled at the London College of Fashion, where she also secured internships at places like Gucci. Grede and Kardashian launched Good American in 2016, as a women's clothing company focused on size inclusivity and body positivity with Grede as CEO. Emma conceived of the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she desired products that would be safe for her own family. To that end, Safely's mission is "to rid American homes of harsh toxins with plant-powered products". to launch apparel brand Off Season in collaboration with the NFL and Fanatics.
With an estimated net worth of more than $300 million, Grede has an 8% stake in Skims, 23% stake in Good American, and 22% stake in Safely. Guests have included the CEO of Saie, Laney Crowell, founder of Jone's Road, Bobbi Brown, and founder of Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow.
In April 2026, Grede published her first book, Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life, a business memoir.
Philanthropy Emma Grede regularly addresses the need for more diverse representation amongst CEOs and entrepreneurs and has used her influence to create opportunities for people of colour, specifically. Grede is a guest shark on the first episode of season 13 and the fourteenth episode of season 14 of the reality television series Shark Tank. She is the first mixed-race woman investor on the show. In 2024, she became a guest dragon on the 21st series of Dragons' Den.
Grede also is chairwoman of the 15 Percent Pledge, an initiative for retailers to reserve 15% of their shelf space for black-owned businesses. By 2022, the non-profit helped black business owners generate $10 billion in revenue.
Recognition In November 2022, Emma, husband Jens Grede, and Kim Kardashian won the first Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion for Skims at the CFDA Awards in New York. With an estimated net worth of $320 million by 2023, Forbes magazine identified Grede as one of the Richest Self-Made Women in America.
Personal life In 2012, Grede married Jens Grede, the Swedish co-founder of Skims and the denim brand Frame. The couple moved to Bel Air, Los Angeles, in 2017 and have four children together.
In her mid-twenties, Grede learned that she is dyslexic.
In August 2026, she was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. Her music choices included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross and "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. Her book choice was The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and her luxury item a mattress and high quality bedding.
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Important facts
People in Emma Grede's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Emma Grede's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Emma Grede?
British businesswoman and company founder
When was Emma Grede born?
Emma Grede was born on 23 September 1982 in East London.
What is Emma Grede's occupation?
Emma Grede is a businessperson, entrepreneur and good American.
What nationality is Emma Grede?
Emma Grede is British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Emma Grede. https://biography.guide/emma-grede/
MLA: "Emma Grede." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/emma-grede/.
Chicago: "Emma Grede." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/emma-grede/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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