Kylie Jenner self-made? We don't think so, say entrepreneurs
Emilie Baxter

By KLEO CRUSE

Two female self-starters have hit back at Kylie Jenner after she was recently named as the world’s youngest self-made billionaire.

Successful entrepreneurs Carolyn Creswell and Melina McGough have attacked Forbes magazine for awarding the Instagram influencer the self-made title.

“Kylie does work hard on the brand and she did create the company based on her own idea but you can’t deny the fact that she already had wealth, fame and privileges before the company was created,” Ms McGough said.

Ms McGough spent years setting up her booming online gallery and has since had the opportunity to collaborate with brands such as David Jones, Meshki, Bardot and Adobe.

“Setting up and building a business is not cheap, there are so many expenses and bills that come with it and if you have that financial backing and support you’re one step ahead,” she said.

Melina McGough started her freelance design business as a side hustle, gathering clients through word of mouth. Picture: Melina McGough

The hard-working artist said people from wealthy and successful backgrounds had an easier time building businesses.

“Success comes from discipline, motivation, skill and action,” Ms McGough said.

“People from wealthy backgrounds who are successful would have those qualities too but their path would have most likely been smoother and easier.”

Although she commends Kylie Jenner on her vision and determination to make her brand succeed, Ms McGough said she shouldn’t be labelled as a self-starter.

“Self-made is making it on your own, with very minimal help and not relying on the support from others,” she said.

Ms Creswell, who now runs the multi-million dollar business Carman’s Kitchen, said having multiple jobs before her business took off helped her develop fundamental life skills.

“Often people that have come from very wealthy families might not have had part-time jobs,” Mrs Cresswell said.

“Having lots of jobs teaches about life, how not to be treated and how to treat others.”

Carolyn Creswell was 18-years-old when she founded the now multi-million dollar business Carman's. Picture: Lisa Atkinson

Forbes defended its choice to name Kylie Jenner the world’s youngest self-made billionaire, claiming Ms Jenner’s wealth was primarily not inherited.

They insisted that Ms Jenner leveraged her enormous social media following to first promote other brands, and then eventually her own.

Kylie Jenner’s cosmetic brand is available through American retailer Ulta, and is projected to bring in more than $1 billion by the year 2022.