Women Who Lead, Do, and Change: Kim Gravel

Kim Gravel is a TV host, entrepreneur, and founder of Belle by Kim Gravel and Love Who You Are. She launched her first business at 46, building a billion-dollar brand through live-selling, community, and a clear vision. Kim inspires women to embrace digital, own their stories, and harness the power of live social selling to turn ideas into thriving businesses.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your current role.

I’m Kim Gravel. I am a TV host, entrepreneur, podcast host, and founder of Belle by Kim Gravel and Love Who You Are. I started my first business at 46, launched on QVC with both fashion and beauty (a first!), and built a billion-dollar brand through live-selling and community. What sparked my interest in the digital space? Necessity. When COVID hit, I turned my home into a full-blown production studio. That’s when I saw the power of live streaming and knew it was the future.

Biggest win, biggest lesson

I'm most proud of doubling our business during the pandemic from US$75 million to US$150 million in annual sales was one of the proudest moments of my career. But it wasn’t just about the number. The real win was doing it with my kids in the next room. When the world shut down, I leaned into live-selling from home. We turned my home into a production studio, rolled out weekly livestreams, connected directly with our customers, and kept showing up consistently and with purpose. What I learned? Success isn’t about working harder, it’s about working in alignment. When your mission matches your message, and your heart leads your hustle, you build something bigger than a business. You build a movement. The takeaway: You don’t need perfect conditions to thrive. You just need a clear vision, the willingness to adapt, and the courage to show up fully as yourself.

Have you faced any career challenges? 

Before I sold a single product, I got slapped with a lawsuit over a trademark mistake in a press release. Let me tell you, nothing tests your commitment like getting served papers when you haven’t even made a dollar. I could’ve walked away. Instead, I fought back. I countersued, won, and came out the other side stronger and smarter. That experience forced me to learn every side of my business. I dove into contracts, legal strategy, brand protection, things I never thought I’d need to know as a fashion and beauty founder. I basically got a crash course in business law, and it changed the way I lead today. My advice? Don’t fear the failures. Welcome them. They are often the fire that forges your greatest growth. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. I surrounded myself with people who were smarter than me and wasn’t ashamed to say, “Teach me.” That mindset is how you turn setbacks into stepping stones.

Where do you still see gaps or barriers for women in digital, and what one action would accelerate change?

Access. Women need more access to funding, mentorship, and leadership opportunities in the digital space. One action? Invest in women financially, educationally, and emotionally. Give them a seat at the table and watch what they build.

If you had five minutes with a woman who is just starting her digital career, what  would you tell her to focus on first?

Start by owning your story. Your authenticity is your superpower. Don’t try to copy what’s trending. Lean into what makes you different. That’s what will resonate. Also, get comfy on camera because digital is visual now.

What do you think companies can do to support career progress for women working in digital roles?

Create flexible environments and prioritise outcomes over hours. Women don’t need hand-holding, they need room to lead in their own way. Support their voices, fund their projects, and respect their time.

What three digital tools or platforms could you not run your work without?

• Instagram is where I connect. The place where I get to talk directly to the community, share real-time updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and encouragement. I use it to listen just as much as I use it to speak. That feedback loop helps me stay aware in what my audience needs and wants. It’s more than a platform, it’s a relationship builder.
• TikTok is where I expand. That kind of organic reach and authenticity is unmatched. It’s also where I test ideas and see what resonates. I’ve had viral moments there that led to real product feedback and new customer segments. It keeps me creative and keeps me honest.
• Bambuser is where I sell. It’s the engine behind our live-selling strategy and honestly, it’s been a game-changer. We use it to host real-time shopping experiences. It brings our community into the moment and lets them shop with us, not just from us. That connection is priceless, and it’s helped us scale without losing the personal touch.

Each one of these tools plays a different role, but together, they’ve allowed me to build a billion-dollar business by being bold and most importantly, being me.

In the next 12 months, which emerging trend or shift should our community keep on their radar?

Live social selling is the game-changer I want every woman to watch. It’s not just a buzzword, it’s a new way to do business that puts the power back in your hands. You don’t need a storefront. You don’t need a marketing degree. If you’ve got a phone, a story, and something valuable to share, you’ve got a business. What excites me most is how this space empowers women, especially moms and multi-hyphenates, to build real income from home. I’ve seen women go from side hustle to six figures just by showing up consistently on live and connecting with their communities. In the next 12 months, I believe we’ll see live selling become a mainstream strategy for both big brands and solo entrepreneurs. So if you’ve been thinking about it? The time to start is now. Don’t wait until it’s “perfect”, just press go.