DEPARTMENTS / Entrepreneurship
It’s in the Blood By Joe Toppe
Paris Hilton Means Business…Globally She is from a family of entrepreneurs. She is a virtual DJ raising money for charities during COVID-19. She is a designer and she is a tech investor. Paris Hilton, long renowned for her celebrity and social media persona, is not only growing her brand around the world, she is also carving out a path as a serious business professional. Just this year, Hilton was a keynote speaker at the Upfront Summit 2020, and recently she spoke about women and entrepreneurship in the digital era at Milken Institute’s Middle East and Africa summit. Selling handbags and other consumer products, Paris Hilton Entertainment has 45 branded stores throughout the Middle East and Asia. Since 2004, she has released 27 fragrances, and in 2011, Variety declared her a “Billion Dollar Entrepreneur” for her successful business and global brand. Hilton’s YouTube Originals documentary, “This Is Paris,” was released Sept. 14. In addition to her business endeavors, Hilton is also an avid supporter for reform on the Troubled Teen Industry. She works with The Sasha Project in LA helping patients at the Children’s Hospital heal through art, and she designed a merch collection to raise money for charities affected by COVID-19. Recently, Hilton sat down with Innovation & Tech Today to not only discuss her brand and business strategy but her tech investments and the state of women in business. Innovation & Tech Today: What sparked your interest in technology and innovation? Paris Hilton: Ever since I was a little girl, I loved gadgets. While growing up, that interest spread into all forms of technology and innovation, and now I am using it to build a business empire which consists of 19 product lines. I look forward to more breakthrough innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. I&T Today: Why tech investments? Why apps? PH: When it comes to investing, I tend to gravitate towards supporting ideas around strong female founders, companies that can make the world a better place, or things I can relate to and use myself. Essentially, I will invest in what I know, and that has led me to apps and other consumer tech businesses. I&T Today: Can you talk about the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in the digital age? PH: Regardless of the digital age, being a female entrepreneur is always challenging. But, things are changing. In my documentary, I wanted to show the world how hard I’ve worked to build my business. I don’t believe I’ve been given respect for what I’ve built, and there are still many people out there that think a blonde with high heels can’t become a successful businesswoman. But, I love the digital age, it suits me and my personality. The business is closer to the consumer and you can have a direct relationship with customers through technology. Additionally, I can work from anywhere. My office is now my laptop and iPhone. ■
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INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | 2020 YEAR-END ISSUE
Photo: Brendan Forbes
