I just learned about Roy Raymond's startup story and found it quite interesting. In fact, the idea of creating Victoria's Secret started from an embarrassing moment — when he was shopping for his wife's lingerie at a department store and felt uncomfortable. Instead of just complaining, Roy Raymond decided to do something different.

But turning that idea into reality wasn't easy. Roy Raymond needed capital to get started, so he borrowed $40,000 from the bank and added another $40,000 from his family. Together with his wife Gaye Raymond, they began designing and opening their first store. What made it stand out was their approach to decor — inspired by Victorian style, creating a luxurious and elegant space that customers had never seen before.

Looking back today, in October 2025, Victoria's Secret & Co has become a giant company with a market value of $2.32 billion, ranking 4,347th worldwide. From an idea born out of embarrassment, Roy Raymond created one of the most famous brands. It's a great lesson on how to turn negative emotions into real business opportunities.