Amber Venz Box sparked a revolution in digital marketing with her $2 billion tech platform, LIKEtoKNOW.it (LTK). Originating from Dallas, this innovative tool weaves together influencers, bloggers, and retail brands, propelling online shopping to new frontiers. What started as a simple affiliate marketing strategy on a humble fashion blog became a powerful bridge between brands and their potential buyers. Each post becomes shoppable content, painting a fresh canvas for retail opportunities.
In the beginning, Box had to overcome significant obstacles. Embarking on her entrepreneurial journey in her 20s, she lacked much-needed skills in managing people and overseeing operations. But it didn’t buckle under the weight: she learned, innovated, and evolved.
Amber Venz Box’s journey — to LTK’s success
Today, she credits these early hardships and invaluable lessons as the raw materials that forged her into the resilient and successful entrepreneur she is.
Leveraging others’ expertise became Box’s key strategy to compensate for initial inadequacies. An early partnership with a fresh MBA graduate launched her into a cycle of accelerated learning and adaptability. As LTK blossomed, Box wisely handpicked industry experts in accounting and strategic business planning. This deft ensemble of professionals ultimately gathered momentum to surge past initial stumbling blocks.
Dedicating the first five years completely to LTK, Box deeply felt the personal sacrifices she had to make. However, she concludes that it was all worth it as LTK is today a bustling online space with over 250,000 influencers and bloggers, who have collectively accumulated over $2.7 billion from various retailers.
Fascination over LTK’s success reached far and wide, drawing significant investments from powerhouses like Japanese giant SoftBank. A notable $300 million investment in 2021 is a testament to LTK’s market attractiveness. Reflecting, though she rues not onboarding professional expertise sooner, Box believes it has made her wiser in understanding the intrinsic value of professional insight in the growth trajectory of a successful business.
