From Bankruptcy to $87 Million in Funding: How Tamara Mellon Saved Her Namesake BrandThe Jimmy Choo co-founder has faced plenty of hurdles as an entrepreneur. But now, she's clinging tight to her vision -- and finding new levels of success.

Tamara Mellon just wanted to move on.

For most of her career, she'd been defined by one brand: Jimmy Choo. She cofounded theluxuryfootwear company in 1996, and it quickly became the final word on playful, sexy shoes for women. She grew the business for 15 years until her relationship with the company soured, leaving Mellon feeling overlooked, overworked, and undercompensated. She left in 2011.