Rihanna, who is formally known as Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is a famous singer, songwriter, actress and successful businesswoman. She’s sold over 200 million records and has won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards. In addition to her music career, Rihanna has also launched several successful businesses, including the fashion line Savage X Fenty and the beauty line Fenty Beauty. Needless to say, Rihanna knows a thing or two about success, which is why we’ve decided to publish this Rihanna Success Story write up.
“Sometimes It Takes A Thousand Tries To Win.”
– rihanna –
How was it that this young woman from Barbados was able to achieve such incredible success at such a young age? Well, we believe success leaves clues, so let’s dive into Rihanna’s story and see what her remarkable journey to fame can teach us about success.
RIHANNA’S STORY
The Early Years
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados, on February 20, 1988. When she was just a child, she enjoyed singing and exploring around her neighborhood. She loved music and was a creative spirit from a young age.
However, life wasn’t always carefree for Rihanna. She witnessed her father’s alcoholism, which carried over to domestic abuse. Her father regularly hit Rihanna’s mother, to the point where it became commonplace. The authorities were never involved since the family didn’t want their conflicts to be put on public display. At times, this violence extended to Rihanna as well.
Despite these conflicts, Rihanna’s father imparted a strong entrepreneurial spirit onto her. He would sell clothing on the side of the road, and she would oftentimes join him. She also began to sell small items and sweets at school for a profit, helping to contribute to her family’s income.
The Struggle
Eventually, Rihanna’s father became consumed by his addictions. He regularly chose drugs and alcohol over providing funds for housing and food, which put tremendous stress on Rihanna as the oldest sibling of the family.
Although her father would eventually clean up his act and try to make things right, the damage had been done.
At the same time, Rihanna was experiencing bullying on a regular basis at school. Because she was mixed and much lighter-skinned than her classmates, she would often get called derogatory names. No doubt it was an unfortunate experience for Rihanna.
The silver lining to it all however, was that it led to Rihanna developing a tough exterior, which would eventually become one of her defining characteristics. However, she harbored depression and anxiety that manifested as headaches and excruciating migraines.
The Breakthrough
Despite the challenges she faced, Rihanna was determined to make a name for herself. During her high school years, Rihanna loved to sing with her friends for fun. She formed a musical group with two other classmates which gave her ample opportunity to refine her talent. This was both a healing outlet for her and a source of joy.
Her life changed drastically after she met Evan Rogers, a New York City-based music producer. While Rogers and his wife Jackie were vacationing in Barbados in 2003 for Christmas, they happened to run into each other. He was blown away by Rihanna’s voice and offered her the chance to record some tracks in New York that upcoming spring.
Rihanna composed almost a dozen songs with Rogers and his partner Carl Sturken. She began searching for a label that would distribute her music. Rihanna came into contact with Shawn Carter, popularly known as Jay-Z, who was president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. The rapper was quick to offer her a contract, which led to her debut release “Pon De Replay” in 2005.
Her debut album, “Music of the Sun” followed shortly after and was a commercial success. The album reached the top ten in multiple countries and sold over two million copies worldwide. Rihanna had made it big and she was only 17 years old.
The Rise to Fame
Rihanna’s second album, “A Girl like Me” was released in 2006. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and sold over two million copies worldwide. It featured the hit singles “SOS” and “Unfaithful”.
However, it was Rihanna’s third album “Good Girl Gone Bad” that catapulted her to global superstardom. The album topped charts in over fifteen countries and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. It spawned the hit singles “Umbrella”, “Take a Bow”, and “Disturbia”.
Rihanna’s fourth studio album, “Rated R” was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. The album featured a more edgy sound and Rihanna collaborated with a number of artists such as Slash and will.i.am. It yielded the hit singles “Hard” and “Rude Boy”.
By this point, Rihanna had become one of the most popular and successful singers in the world. She had won numerous awards and was ranked as one of the 100 most powerful celebrities by Forbes.[1]
In 2012, Rihanna released her fifth studio album “Unapologetic”. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned the hit singles “Diamonds” and “Stay”.
Rihanna has released eight studio albums to date and shows no signs of slowing down. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 280 million records sold worldwide.
The Entreprenurial Path
Rihanna has also ventured into other business ventures, and this is where the majority of her massive billion dollar net worth originates from. She is the richest woman entrepreneur behind Oprah Winfrey and is the wealthiest female musician in the world.
Rihanna has a number of business ventures which include her makeup line Fenty Beauty, lingerie line Savage x Fenty, and luxury fashion brand Fenty.
Rihanna made her business debut in 2011 when she released her first fragrance, Reb’l Fleur – the scent sold $80 million in the first year. The following year, she released another scent, Rebelle, and has since launched almost a dozen fragrances and another is on the way through her beauty brand, Fenty.
As a creative director, she has served at Puma, Mac, River Island, Armani, CoverGirl, and Dior. These connections helped her to learn the business and develop key partnerships.
In 2017, Rihanna founded her own makeup brand known as Fenty Beauty. The brand focused on the inclusivity of all women’s skin tones and became a trendsetter for women of color. The brand debuted with 40 foundation shades and has now expanded to include concealer, highlighters, lipstick, and more.
Her clothing brand, Savage x Fenty, is also popular for its inclusivity. The line features lingerie and sleepwear in a range of sizes – from XS to XXXL.
Lessons Learned
What can we learn from Rihanna’s success story?
First and foremost, never give up on your dreams. Rihanna was rejected by many of her peers and struggled in the family before she eventually found a home at Def Jam Recordings.
Second, always be innovative and push the envelope. Rihanna has constantly pushed the boundaries with her music and fashion sense.
Third, be a multi-talented individual. Rihanna is not just a singer, but also an actress, songwriter, and fashion designer. This has helped her to become a successful businesswoman.
Fourth, know your worth and demand for it. Rihanna has always been vocal about her worth and refused to be taken advantage of. As a result, she has been able to command high fees for her work.
Last but not least, always give back to the community. Rihanna is an active philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charities over the years. In honor of her grandparents, Rihanna created the Clara Lionel Foundation to support educational initiatives, respond to emergencies during “natural disasters,” and advocate for policy system change for communities around the world.[2]
The Making of a Pop-Culture Icon
Rihanna is one of a kind, and her story is unique and powerful. If you’re looking for a deeper inside look at the making of this pop-culture icon, then you’ll enjoy this short video of the pop-star:
Video Credit: TheThings Celebrity (Subscribe Here)
Final Thoughts
The Rihanna success story is an inspiration to many people around the world. Her hard work and dedication have paid off, and she is now one of the richest and most successful young women in the world.
If you’re looking for some advice, take a page from Rihanna’s book and never give up on your dreams. Be innovative, be multi-talented, know your worth, and always give back to the community. We can all learn something from the inspiring Rihanna story and use it to fuel our own dreams.
Till you reach your aims,
STRIVE
PS – If you enjoyed this Rihanna Story, then you’ll likely enjoy this inspiring collection of Rihanna Quotes.
