Kathy Ireland smiling in front of a plant

Meet Kathy Ireland

It can be challenging to pursue a true dream pursuit — but luckily, we’ve partnered with an inspiring dream champion to show us how it’s done.

Welcoming Kathy to the Family

Kathy Ireland sitting on a chair

Uncharted Territory

Dreams are not something you simply wish for — they’re something you have to put time, dedication and passion into to achieve. They come with obstacles you must overcome and distractions that may attempt to steer you off track. It can be challenging to pursue a true dream pursuit — but luckily, we’ve partnered with an inspiring dream champion to show us how it’s done.

Meet American Family Insurance Brand Ambassador Kathy Ireland, a woman who learned from an early age to persevere and never let someone else’s words or thoughts get in the way of your dream pursuit. A supermodel turned super mogul and philanthropist, Kathy is an inspiration to dreamers, especially young women, proving that any obstacle can be overcome.
Kathy Ireland sitting on a white bench

About Kathy Ireland

When Kathy Ireland was eight years old, she decided she wanted to be a papergirl in Santa Barbara, California. On her first day on the job, she was scolded by a customer to quit because it was a “boy’s job.” Well, that certainly didn’t stop Kathy as she persevered to be the only papergirl in her city — and that wouldn’t be the first time in her life she proved the naysayers wrong.

Kathy Ireland was one of the top supermodels in the eighties, making her a household name globally. While she enjoyed her successful career as a model, she was ready for a new challenge to take her to new heights. When a small business approached Kathy to model their socks for them, she seized the opportunity to go into business with them and create Kathy Ireland-branded socks. Kathy was again met with apprehension, with many questioning if anyone could truly launch a business with just socks. But of course, Kathy proved them wrong again.

How did she go from a supermodel to an entrepreneur that embodies the term super mogul? Kathy attributes her success to collaboration and teamwork, perseverance and dreaming big. She doesn’t allow what others say to bring her down and never settles for anything less than what her dreams deserve.

Today, Kathy continues to grow her brand empire and business while being a mother, wife, author, activist and dream champion.

Kathy Ireland with long hair

kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®)

 kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®) is a multibillion-dollar brand that offers everything from home décor and beauty to luxurious resorts and wedding destinations. As chair, CEO and chief designer, Kathy Ireland is considered one of the most influential women in business and design.
Kathy Ireland Special Event Series

Brand Building for Small Businesses DreamBank Course

Are you a new or aspiring entrepreneur? Join American Family Insurance brand ambassador Kathy Ireland to discover the secrets to building a powerful brand that fuels your small business dream. From starting a purpose-driven business to staying competitive and connecting with new customers, this 5-part video series is the perfect place to grow your capabilities and confidence as a brand-minded business owner.

Blue doodle of quotation marks
Just because something has not been done doesn’t mean it can’t be accomplished. – Kathy Ireland

Philanthropy, Foundation and Charity

Kathy’s wisdom and experience has helped us support dreamers.

[Music]

Kathy Ireland: I think today more than ever, it's critical for young girls to have people who will inspire them to dream.

On Screen: On Nov. 11 we came together with entrepreneur Kathy Ireland to help 200 women imagine a future in tech.

Kathy Ireland: I love this one Saturday to dream fearlessly. It's powerful because it gets these girls thinking, they're bright, they're brilliant — there's no stopping them. They can truly make the world a better place

[Music]

On screen: American Family Insurance logo with the tag line, “insure carefully, dream fearlessly.” Call to action to See how we inspire dreams at AmFam.com/OneSaturday

Providing Support to Dreamers Everywhere

But Kathy’s dream pursuits don’t just stop at her own. Kathy uses her success as an entrepreneur to provide support to dreamers everywhere. She serves as International Youth Chair for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, as well as Ambassador for the American Cancer Society. Kathy is also a big supporter of the Providence Educational Foundation and, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
And Kathy’s wisdom and experience has helped us support dreamers, too! We partnered with Kathy for a memorable One Saturday to #DreamFearlessly event, encouraging future generations of women leaders to never give up on their dreams or let anyone try to limit what you can do.
Blue doodle of quotation marks
Whatever you’re going through, hold onto that dream. Be alert, learn from others and figure out hows, because hows can be just as important – if not more important – than the what. – Kathy Ireland

Becoming an Entrepreneur

Is your dream to become the next super mogul? Here are resources to get your entrepreneurial dreams started.
a woman talking on the phone

Avoiding Burnout as a Small Business Owner

After all, seeing your ideas brought to life, building something from the ground up and becoming your own boss is an exciting concept. But it’s also kind of overwhelming.
a man talking to a group of people

3 Tips from a Twenty-Something Entrepreneur

The obstacles to actually starting a business can seem insurmountable, no matter what your age.
a table with tools and a box

Generate New Business Sales

Learn ways to grow your business by engaging with your current customers. With these tips, you may be able to help your customers help you grow exponentially.
a woman with her hand on another woman's shoulder

Selecting a Small Business Advisory Board

Review these guidelines on setting up an advisory board to help your company grow.

a woman looking at a camera

How to Discover Your Passion

Those are loaded questions. If it fills you with anxiety or uncertainty, you’re not alone — it’s not always easy to uncover our passions. And when we see people around us working towards something big, it can get a little disheartening.

Meet Our American Family Insurance Brand Ambassadors

You’ve met Kathy Ireland, so you might as well get to know the rest of our family! Learn more about our brand ambassadors and how they uniquely help us inspire, protect and restore dreams.
Jonathan Silver Scott, Jonathan Silver Scott smiling

The Scott Brothers

Drew and Jonathan Scott are dedicated to designing and creating safe, quality homes for people all across the county. Learn how these charismatic brothers have inspired millions to dream big, roll up their sleeves and turn houses into homes.
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Christian Yelich

Making it to the big leagues in baseball takes more than athleticism or skill — Christian Yelich had to stay disciplined, humble and persevere to achieve his dream. Here’s how he worked his way to the top and the lessons he learned along the way.
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Derek Jeter in a suit

Derek Jeter

Achieving greatness takes determination and hustle, and no one understands that better than Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, Derek Jeter. With his never-quit mentality, here’s how Derek overcame obstacles and accomplished one dream after the next.
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Steve Stricker wearing a white hat

Steve Stricker

Steve Stricker may be known for his successful golf career, spanning over 25 years, but what makes Steve an inspiration to all dreamers is what he does on and off the green. Learn about Steve's dream journey and how he's used his success to give back to others.
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