With a growing number of dysfunctional celebrity wives capitalizing on little more than bad behavior on reality TV shows, Cookie Johnson and Simone Smith stand out for being thoughtful, successful and generous entrepreneurs.
Cookie is married to NBA legend Magic Johnson and Simone is married to rapper and actor LL Cool J, but these two aren’t trading on their husbands’ famous names to forge their own paths. They’re among a growing number of female entrepreneurs and they’re hoping many more women join them at the top of companies.
Simone Smith’s path was unexpected. At the age of 35, this mother was four was diagnosed with Stage III bone cancer, which left her unable to walk for more than a year. During her surgeries, doctors removed part of her leg tattoo and it inspired a new fashion icon. Find out why she’s partnering with the American Cancer Society to help cancer survivors celebrate more birthdays.
And Cookie Johnson isn’t just selling jeans (even though they are favored by everyone from Oprah to First Lady Michelle Obama) — she’s saving lives. More than 20 years after her husband’s famous HIV diagnosis, she worries young people aren’t as worried about HIV and AIDS anymore because they see how well he’s done managing the disease. Find out how she’s trying to educate people, particularly young women.
To see more styles from CJ by Cookie Johnson, click here to visit the company’s website.
To see pictures of celebrities wearing Simone’s A Sweet Touch of Hope lollipop necklace, click here to visit her website.
This story was taped on location at Neiman Marcus at The Mall at Millenia.