How Gaye Raymond and Roy Raymond turned a personal embarrassment into a global empire

Imagine a simple discomfort that changes everything. That’s exactly what happened when Roy Raymond felt embarrassed to buy lingerie for his wife at a regular department store. Instead of letting this awkward moment pass, he and Gaye Raymond turned that frustration into a bold vision.

Together, they created something unique — an elegant space inspired by the Victorian era, where shopping for lingerie became a luxurious experience rather than a chore. To make their dream a reality, the couple raised $80,000: $40,000 borrowed from a bank and $40,000 from family. Their first store opened its doors, marking the beginning of what would become a global phenomenon.

Today, the vision that Gaye Raymond and Roy Raymond shared decades ago has paid off spectacularly. Victoria’s Secret & Co has reached a market capitalization of $2.32 billion USD, ranking as the 4,347th most valuable company in the world. From the embarrassment of a store purchase to leading a global giant — it’s the power of a good idea driven by a visionary couple.