Bethenny Frankel Gives The Skinny On Getting Rich

As someone who has done many interviews with celebrities and other assorted rich people, it's funny how much you can learn by just letting them talk:

In the past three years, Bethenny Frankel has proven she's more than just an attractive reality star; she's also a savvy businesswoman who has created a successful financial empire.


When Frankel began filming the hit Bravo reality show, "The Real Housewives of New York City," in March of 2008, the former natural foods chef had $8,000 in her bank account. Fast forward to this past April, when the 40-year-old entrepreneur sold her line of low-calorie ready-made Skinnygirl margaritas to Beam Global Spirits and Wines for a reported $120 million.


This month, her success continues with the launch of Skinnygirl sangria in stores across the country, and a new Skinnygirl shapewear line. As her third book, "A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life" (Touchstone) released in March, continues to reign on the New York Times Bestseller list, we asked Frankel to share some of her success secrets:


Have a personal mission statement. As an entrepreneur, it's important to identify your priorities and what you hope to accomplish with your business. Try to frame your statement in terms of action, and you'll find it helps to focus you in a very powerful way. For me, my business evolved from my own personal beliefs about eating well, promoting natural health, being fit, and solving problems.


Build a platform for your business. I joined the cast of Real Housewives exclusively for business. I had a column in Health magazine and was a spokesperson for Pepperidge Farm. But I wanted to build a large national audience for my Skinnygirl brand.


Remain true to your brand. Any product that I add to the Skinnygirl line has to be innovative, solve a problem for women, and help them to live healthier, better lives. My line is straightforward, honest, and doesn't make false promises. I've turned down a multitude of product ideas from headbands to diet pills.


If I wouldn't use a product myself, it doesn't become part of the Skinnygirl brand. When I made the deal with Beam Global, it was important to me to remain involved in the direction of the Skinnygirl low-calorie cocktails, and continue promoting and expanding the line.