'My body is my business': How a model leveraged her career into brand-building power

Ashley Graham is a model and entrepreneur who has spent her career challenging who is seen, heard, and marketed to, transforming that influence into a growing business.

Ten years after her “Sports Illustrated” cover, Graham took the stage at Business Insider’s The Long Play to unpack how she has built a personal brand across fashion, beauty, entertainment, and consumer products without losing what’s at the core of her identity.

Graham spoke about Lucci, her new venture in the wine business, and her longtime partnership with JCPenney during her interview with Business Insider’s executive editor, Leena Rao.

During the conversation, titled “Breaking the Mold,” Graham also said that getting lots of rejection early on in her career has made her into a better businessperson.

“If it’s not for you, there’s another thing for you. And you can’t take it personally,” Graham told Rao.