Jamie Kern Lima
Born 1977 · Age 48
American entrepreneur, investor, media personality; co‑founder of IT Cosmetics, sold to L'Oréal for $1.2B (2016); author and podcast host.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Rafael, California
Jamie Marie Kern born (sources variously cite San Rafael and Seattle as birth/early locations; primary sourcing indicates San Rafael).
Matriculated at Washington State University (approx.)
Began undergraduate studies at Washington State University; later graduated valedictorian (graduation year estimated based on other timeline items).
Worked odd jobs during college (Denny's, Safeway)
Waitressed at Denny's and bagged groceries at Safeway to support studies while at WSU.
Discovered she was adopted (in her 20s)
Has spoken publicly that she learned she was adopted while in her 20s; exact year not specified in sources (year here is an estimate).
Won Baywatch College Search
Won the Baywatch College Search contest and appeared on an episode of the television series.
Graduated WSU, valedictorian (estimated)
Graduated from Washington State University and was named valedictorian (sources confirm valedictorian; exact graduation year inferred from other timeline facts).
Contestant on Big Brother (Season 1)
Appeared as a contestant on the first season of Big Brother U.S.; was the last female houseguest remaining.
Started broadcast journalism career at KNDU
Began work as a morning news anchor and reporter for KNDU/KNDO in the Tri-Cities / Kennewick, Washington market after Big Brother exposure.
Competed in Miss USA 2000
Represented Washington at the Miss USA 2000 pageant held in Branson, Missouri.
Earned MBA from Columbia Business School
Completed her Master of Business Administration at Columbia Business School (2004).
Left KNDU and joined KPTV in Portland
Moved to Portland, Oregon to work as a news anchor and reporter for KPTV.
Married Paulo Lima
Married Paulo Lima; sources indicate they met during Columbia Business School studies.
Co-founded IT Cosmetics
Launched IT Cosmetics from her living room to address personal issues with rosacea and hyperpigmentation.
Early retail rejections and product development
Faced repeated rejections from beauty retailers while developing corrective, dermatologically informed cosmetics.
QVC breakthrough demo (estimated timing)
Delivered a dramatic on-air QVC demonstration (wiping off makeup to reveal bare skin) in a short segment that sold out the products; this QVC approach became foundational to IT Cosmetics' distribution. (Exact date not consistently published; year estimated.)
500+ / 1,000+ QVC live appearances milestone (cumulative)
By the mid‑2010s Jamie had appeared on well over 1,000 live QVC shows and IT Cosmetics became the largest beauty brand on QVC.
IT Cosmetics net sales $182M (by 2015)
Company reached more than $182 million in net sales by 2015, reflecting rapid growth and QVC success.
Personal proceeds from L'Oréal sale (approx.)
Reported personal proceeds from the IT Cosmetics sale to L'Oréal were approximately $410 million (figure reported in business profiles).
Became first female CEO of a L'Oréal brand
Following the acquisition, Jamie Kern Lima served as CEO of IT Cosmetics within L'Oréal — the first woman to be a CEO of a L'Oréal brand.
L'Oréal acquired IT Cosmetics for $1.2B
L'Oréal completed the acquisition of IT Cosmetics for $1.2 billion in cash; Jamie became the first female CEO of a L'Oréal brand.
Listed on Forbes' America's Richest Self‑Made Women
Included on Forbes' list of 'America's Richest Self‑Made Women' beginning in 2017 (and on it in subsequent years).
Purchased Carpinteria oceanfront home (from Ellen & Portia)
Purchased an oceanfront property from Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi (purchase year recorded as 2019).
Pivot to investing, authoring, media
After leaving IT Cosmetics, pivoted career focus to investing in brands, authoring books, media and public speaking.
Announced exit from IT Cosmetics / L'Oréal role
Announced she would be leaving IT Cosmetics and her operational role with L'Oréal in August 2019.
Launched The Jamie Kern Lima Show (podcast) — (approx.)
Launched a self-improvement podcast (Oprah Winfrey cited as the first guest). Podcast later became a top‑ranked self‑improvement show. Launch year approximate in sources.
Published Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable
Released her first book, Believe IT, with Gallery Books on March 25, 2021.
Active investor in consumer brands (cumulative)
Began investing in a portfolio of consumer and lifestyle companies; sources list investments including Dutch Bros Coffee and Duckhorn Portfolio among others (over a dozen investments cited cumulatively).
Donated 100% of Worthy author proceeds
Committed to donating 100% of the author proceeds from Worthy to philanthropic causes (announced with the book).
Listed Carpinteria oceanfront home for $41.95M
Placed the previously purchased oceanfront property on the market for $41.95 million (listing reported in 2024).
Regents' Distinguished Alumni Award (WSU) (reported)
Recognized by Washington State University with a Regents' Distinguished Alumni Award (reported 2024/2025 timeframe).
Becoming Unstoppable live event reached 260,000+ attendees
Held a live event called 'Becoming Unstoppable' with more than 260,000 women joining live online; high‑profile supporters participated.
Cumulative donations of product and funds to support women with cancer exceed $40M
Reported charitable impact includes donating over $40 million in product and funds to help women facing cancer with confidence (cumulative figure reported by her team).
Guest Shark on Shark Tank Season 16 (announced/upcoming)
Announced as a Guest Shark for Season 16 of Shark Tank (announced by her team; timing in sources around 2024/2025).
WORTHY spent 14 weeks on NYT bestseller list
Worthy remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 14 consecutive weeks (reported by her team/biographical sources).
Estimated net worth ~ $650M (reported)
Profiles estimate Jamie's net worth around $650 million in 2024 based on sale proceeds and subsequent investments.
Published Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life
Released Worthy (Hay House Inc.) on February 20, 2024; the book achieved New York Times bestseller status.
Estimated net worth ~ $670M (Forbes / profile estimate)
Profiles (including Forbes‑cited summaries) estimate her net worth around $670 million by mid‑2025 after investment growth and ongoing income.
Webby Award nominations (Best Host & Best Video Series)
Received Webby Award nominations in early 2025 for Best Host and Best Video Series (reported by profile sources).
Won 2025 Gracie Award for Best Podcast (Lifestyle)
Her podcast, The Jamie Kern Lima Show, won the 2025 Gracie Award for Best Podcast (Lifestyle) according to profile coverage.
Appeared on Today show promoting Worthy
Appeared on NBC's Today show in January 2025 to promote Worthy and discuss self-worth and rejection as growth.
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