Bethenny Frankel revealed she was preparing to retire before her latest venture changed her course. The Skinnygirl founder said she felt ready to leave her career behind. Then, the Supermodel Café opened doors to unexpected opportunities. Frankel now sees the project as the start of something much bigger.
Bethenny Frankel says she was preparing to retire before the Supermodel Café opened doors to new ventures.
Frankel, 55, discussed her career shift while promoting the Supermodel Café. She spoke to Us on Aug. 12. The pop-up eatery is located in East Quogue, New York.
“Skinnygirl was amazing,” Frankel said while reflecting on her business journey. However, she admitted she lacked experience when she launched the brand. She later gained experience across business, media, marketing and venture capital.
“Like, this is just a vortex,” Frankel explained. “I was retiring. I was on my way out.” Her comments showed how unexpectedly the new venture changed her plans.
Frankel became known as an entrepreneur after appearing on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. She finished as the runner-up on the NBC competition series in 2005. Three years later, she joined the original cast of Real Housewives of New York City.
Her reality television success helped launch the Skinnygirl brand. The company initially focused on low-calorie premixed margaritas. It later expanded into various food and beverage products.
Despite her business success, Frankel said she only recently embraced being a CEO. She said she never worked harder than she does now. Frankel admitted her brain was “fried” after long workdays.
Her latest focus is the Supermodel Café. The Hamptons pop-up combines healthy food, business and content creation. Frankel jokingly described it as “Skinnygirl 10.0.”
The project grew beyond its original concept. Frankel said customers became obsessed with the café’s bagels and snacks. She also developed cheesecake ideas involving multiple business partners.
Major companies reportedly began approaching Frankel about distribution opportunities. She said some were multibillion-dollar companies. Those conversations helped expand her vision for the café.
Frankel now wants to develop a new entertainment and creator model. She envisions pairing brands with creators through dedicated studios. The café could eventually expand to New York with a studio nearby.
For Frankel, retirement suddenly looks very difficult. What began as a small food venture became another career reinvention. Her next chapter could extend far beyond the café itself.
TELL US: DO YOU THINK BETHENNY FRANKEL’S SUPERMODEL CAFÉ COULD BECOME HER NEXT BIG BUSINESS SUCCESS?
