DEPARTMENTS / Entrepreneurship
It’s in the Blood
Paris Hilton Means Business...Globally
By Joe Toppe
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. ■16 INNOVATION & TECH TODAY^ |^ 2020 YEAR-END ISSUE
Photo: Brendan Forbes