These days, Bethenny Frankel runs an empire based on the Skinnygirl franchise she founded and stars on a hit reality show.
But things were not always so successful. In fact, the author and former talk show host's dream almost didn't happen.
"I hit a lot of roadblocks, but I was a dog on a bone. You'll never get that same drive and spirit than the beginning when you have nothing and you know you have a good idea," she said.
Frankel founded Skinnygirl, which currently has more than 75 products on the market, in 2009 and remains its CEO. Beam Global acquired Skinnygirl Cocktails in 2011 for an undisclosed sum.
Frankel's multimillion-dollar business started with a simple idea: She wanted a cocktail that wasn't overloaded with sugar and wouldn't make her feel terrible the following day, so she created one.
Frankel said she believes strongly in the power of the simple idea, telling CNBC after an Advertising Week forum last year that the best ideas are the simplest ones.
While Frankel was able to help propel her products forward on realty television, the process was still anything but easy. The liquor business is particularly hard because it's mostly driven by men and marketed toward men, she said.
There were plenty of times that her dream almost didn't happen.
This is a world of entrepreneurship that we've never seen before.Bethenny Frankel
Frankel has some advice for would-be entrepreneurs.
"Just be on the road and know that you're moving forward because you never know what's going to happen, so you have to keep your eyes open and be productive and be proactive," she said.
Go with your gut, not with your head or heart and be passionate and tireless, she said.
"You have to know that everybody is on their game right now. This is a world of entrepreneurship that we've never seen before. Everybody is up 24 hours a day. Everybody has a phone and a camera, and everybody can get their idea out there," she said.
Her advice to women is simple: Don't discuss the glass ceiling and how much less money women earn.
"Just be better than the men," she said. "Look at the wall in front of you and swim there first."
Frankel's unwavering determination in business has no end.
"I can't rest on my laurels, and I need to now really drill down and work on marketing and distribution of the Skinnygirl brand," she said.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect Beam Global's purchase of Skinnygirl Cocktails.