Lessons from Kris Jenner: The Kardushian Matriarch Who Built a Global Brand Empire

Kris Jenner isn’t just the mum behind the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty — she’s one of the most successful brand-builders of our time.

The mother of six, grandmother to 13, and architect of a multi-billion-dollar media + product empire spanning TV, beauty, fashion, tech, and licensing.

But here’s what most people forget:

It all started as a way to keep the lights on.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians launched in 2007 — raw, unscripted, no preconceived storylines. The audience became emotionally invested, not in characters, but in a family.

As social media emerged, the strategy evolved.

“Kim realised she could have a direct relationship with fans.”

Facebook → Twitter → Instagram → TikTok → streaming.

Every platform became fuel for community, not just content.

Then came the businesses — not top-down, but passion-led:

• Kylie wanted beauty → Kylie Cosmetics (a $900M brand)

• Kim built SKIMS & KKW → now a multibillion-dollar valuation

• Kendall → 818 Tequila

• Retail stores, Vegas activations, brand collabs, licensing deals

Each member found their niche. Kris built the machine.

What Entrepreneurs Can Learn

1️⃣ Personal brand → commercial ecosystem

A brand isn’t just marketing — it’s emotional connection + consistency + relentless relevance.

2️⃣ Community first, products second

They built a fan base BEFORE selling anything — then asked fans what they wanted.

3️⃣ Work ethic beats luck

Despite the glam, they grind. Every opportunity is worked, not wished.

4️⃣ Surround yourself with the right team

Kris calls it “building an army” — advisors, partners, operators.

5️⃣ Family first → values drive longevity

She measures legacy not in dollars, but in raising good humans and helping them build meaningful businesses.

On Critics & Resilience

Kris shared how harsh negativity forced her to grow a thick skin — but also revealed how critics often simply lack purpose.

“Imagine if they spent that energy building a great life instead.”

Leading publicly requires emotional endurance.

On Leadership

Kris leads by example:

• collaborative, not transactional

• asks questions

• learns from smarter people

• goes directly to the source

• trusts chemistry and intuition

Not every partnership works — and that’s okay.

The right partners are a gift.

The Next Chapter

Now deep into seasons with Hulu/Disney+, expanding globally, building brands, filming Super Bowl ads, and leading a family empire…

At almost 70, she says:

“70 is the new 60. Surround yourself with great people.”

Gratitude + work + family + community.

That’s the legacy.

Thanks to a Referron connection, I spent time with Tim Gannon — legendary co-founder of Outback Steakhouse and a true business force.

Thanks to a Referron connection, I spent a day with Tim Gannon — legendary co-founder of Outback Steakhouse and a true business force.

Tim and his partners built 1,300 restaurants in one of the toughest industries on the planet—where most ideas die, margins are tight, and scale usually destroys culture.

Yet they didn’t just grow… they dominated.

Here’s what stood out:

🔥 Culture was the strategy.

They built people first, restaurants second. Loyalty wasn’t a KPI—it was a way of life.

🍽️ Quality stayed sacred, even at scale.

Growth never replaced soul. Systems amplified experience rather than diluting it.

🚀 Innovation was constant.

They evolved without abandoning who they were.

But the biggest surprise?

Tim is humble. Grounded. Generous with wisdom.

Success didn’t make him untouchable—it made him more committed to lifting others.

Grateful for connections like this—made possible because of Referron—that turn networking into real relationships, access, and growth.