Emily Weiss, the founder of Glossier, began her career as a fashion assistant before making a major career pivot. In her late 20s, she transitioned from her role in fashion to start Into The Gloss, a beauty blog. The blog’s success led her to launch Glossier in 2014, a beauty brand that focuses on skincare and minimalist makeup. Weiss turned her pivot from fashion assistant to beauty mogul into a multi-billion-dollar brand, redefining how beauty companies interact with customers and use social media. Her career shift illustrates how niche interests can turn into profitable and scalable businesses.

Huda Kattan, a makeup artist and beauty blogger, shifted careers later in life when she was in her late 20s. After working as an investment banker, Kattan decided to follow her passion for beauty and started a blog. The blog led to her launching Huda Beauty, a cosmetics brand that now rivals industry giants. Her career pivot from finance to beauty is a modern example of how passion and persistence can turn into a major global business.

Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, pivoted his career path significantly before becoming the force behind the Netflix we know today. Hastings was originally a software engineer and co-founded a software company called Pure Software, which he later sold. However, in his late 30s, he saw the potential for a digital disruption in the video rental industry and founded Netflix in 1997. Initially a DVD rental service, Netflix pivoted into streaming and original content, making it a global entertainment giant. Hastings’ transition from tech to entertainment highlights how diversifying and pivoting industries can lead to monumental shifts in entire sectors.

Jeff Bezos had a well-established career in finance before he made a bold pivot to launch Amazon in 1994. At 30, Bezos was working as a senior vice president at a hedge fund but realized that the internet could be a game-changer for commerce. He left his stable job to build an online bookstore, which evolved into Amazon, eventually transforming into one of the world’s largest e-commerce and tech companies. Bezos’ willingness to leave his secure career and take a risk led to a revolution in how people shop and interact online.

Sara Blakely was 29 years old when she had the idea for Spanx, a company that revolutionized women’s shapewear. Before founding Spanx, Blakely was selling fax machines door-to-door, with no background in fashion or business. She spent her 30s building Spanx into the global brand it is today, making her a self-made billionaire. Blakely’s career shift shows how a passion for solving everyday problems can lead to groundbreaking entrepreneurial success, even when starting from scratch.

Jessica Alba, known for her acting career, pivoted into the business world after becoming frustrated with the lack of safe, non-toxic baby products. In her 30s, she co-founded The Honest Company, which focuses on eco-friendly and safe household products. The company quickly grew into a multi-million-dollar business, showing that an actress could successfully make a career shift into entrepreneurship. Alba’s move from Hollywood to business demonstrates how leveraging your personal experiences and passions can drive significant success in a new industry.

Nick Woodman was in his 30s when he launched GoPro, a company that revolutionized the way people capture and share action sports. Before GoPro, Woodman worked in various jobs, including selling bead and shell jewelry to surfers. In 2002, at age 31, he started GoPro, initially creating cameras to help surfers document their experiences. GoPro grew rapidly as a go-to tool for extreme sports enthusiasts and became a worldwide brand. Woodman’s pivot from a laid-back lifestyle to a tech entrepreneur led him to create one of the most successful companies in the action camera industry.

Walt Disney’s career pivot began in his 30s, after he faced several failures in his early years, including the bankruptcy of his first animation studio. After struggling in the early stages of his career, he moved to California and founded The Walt Disney Company in 1923. Disney transformed animation into a multi-billion-dollar industry and pioneered the theme park business with Disneyland. His decision to reinvent himself and his business model after facing challenges serves as a testament to the power of resilience and reinvention.

Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, was in his 40s when he made the pivot that led to one of the most successful retail businesses in the world. After working in retail management for several years, Walton opened his first Walmart store in 1962 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Walton’s innovative approach to retail, focusing on offering low prices and exceptional customer service, led to Walmart’s explosive growth. By the time he passed away, Walmart was the world’s largest retailer. Walton’s decision to start Walmart in his 40s, after years of working for others, showcases how even late-in-life pivots can create lasting legacies.

Martha Stewart’s career pivot happened in her early 40s, when she transitioned from a successful career as a stockbroker and homemaker to launching her own business in the home décor and lifestyle space. She first wrote a cookbook, Entertaining, and then expanded into television and product lines. Stewart’s brand grew into a lifestyle empire, encompassing TV shows, publications, merchandise, and more. Her ability to successfully pivot her career in her 40s helped her become one of the most influential businesswomen of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Vera Wang didn’t start out in fashion; she was initially a figure skater and later worked as a senior editor at Vogue for 15 years. It wasn’t until she was in her 40s, after her career at Vogue and a failed marriage, that Wang decided to transition into the fashion world. She opened her first bridal boutique at age 40 and designed her first wedding gown. Wang’s designs quickly gained popularity, and her business expanded into one of the most recognizable names in bridal fashion. She proved that a dramatic career pivot, even later in life, can lead to incredible success and personal fulfillment.

John Paul DeJoria had an extremely rough start in life. By the time he was in his 40s, he had been homeless and was struggling with low-paying jobs. However, DeJoria pivoted by co-founding the Paul Mitchell hair care line in 1980, and later, Patron Tequila in 1989. Today, both brands are hugely successful. His ability to turn his life around and create multi-billion-dollar brands demonstrates that persistence and a willingness to pivot, even after hardships, can lead to remarkable success.

Ray Kroc was a struggling milkshake machine salesman in his 50s when he discovered a small but successful burger stand run by Richard and Maurice McDonald. Seeing the potential for growth, Kroc convinced them to franchise their concept, and by the time of his death, McDonald’s was the world’s largest fast-food chain. Kroc’s decision to invest in the McDonald’s brothers’ restaurant and grow it into a global empire completely transformed his life and the fast-food industry. His pivot, well into middle age, shows that late-stage opportunities can lead to monumental achievements.

Arianna Huffington was already an accomplished author and political commentator when she made the decision to pivot her career in the early 50s. After a period of burnout, she recognized the importance of health and well-being and founded the Huffington Post in 2005, a bold move into the digital media and journalism space. The site quickly became a major player in news and politics, and in 2011, it was acquired by AOL for $315 million. Huffington’s shift to tech and media, after a successful career in writing and public speaking, shows how a midlife pivot can lead to groundbreaking achievements.

Colonel Harland Sanders didn’t open his first KFC restaurant until he was in his 60s, after years of working a variety of jobs, including a steam engine stoker, insurance salesman, and restaurant operator. After perfecting his secret chicken recipe in the 1930s and using a pressure cooker to cook it faster, he started selling his fried chicken from a roadside restaurant. In his 60s, he franchised the recipe, eventually building KFC into a global fast-food chain. Sanders’ late-life pivot shows that it’s never too late to bring a passion or idea to life — and when it’s done with dedication, it can lead to massive success.

Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t find fame as a writer until she was in her 60s. After spending much of her early life as a pioneer, Wilder wrote about her childhood experiences in the American Midwest, which became the beloved Little House series. Prior to her literary career, she had worked as a teacher, farmer, and even a journalist. In her later years, she turned to writing books that would define a genre of children’s literature, becoming an influential voice for American history and pioneer life.