Ashley Graham on turning rejection into business growth and launching wine brand Lucci

From modeling to entrepreneurship

At Business Insider’s The Long Play event, Ashley Graham shared insights into her transition from modeling to entrepreneurship. She described how she leveraged her influence to build a business across fashion, beauty, entertainment, and consumer products while maintaining her core identity. Graham’s career began with a landmark appearance on the Sports Illustrated cover ten years ago, a moment she credits with expanding visibility for diverse body types in mainstream media.

Launching Lucci and retail partnerships

Graham introduced Lucci, her new wine venture, as part of her expanding portfolio. She also discussed her long-standing partnership with JCPenney, framing it as an example of how personal branding can align with established retail brands to create mutually beneficial opportunities. The collaboration reflects her strategy of integrating business ventures with her public persona.

Rejection as a business lesson

Graham emphasized that early career rejections played a pivotal role in shaping her resilience and business acumen. She advised against taking rejection personally, instead viewing it as a tool for growth. This mindset, she suggested, has been critical in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship across multiple industries.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Graham’s story underscores a reality familiar to many founders: rejection and setbacks often precede growth. Her ability to diversify across industries—fashion, beauty, entertainment, and now wine—demonstrates how a strong personal brand can serve as a foundation for scalable business ventures. For operators, her partnership with JCPenney is a case study in how influencer-driven collaborations can extend beyond traditional endorsements into long-term, revenue-generating relationships. While her trajectory is unique to her industry, the principles of resilience and brand consistency apply broadly, particularly for founders navigating competitive markets.

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