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Karen Neuburger

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Designer

The Resume

    Former designer fashion 'buyer,' merchandise manager
    Designed a popular line of pajama-wear for her home-run business
    Started the sleepwear brand, KN Karen Neuburger, in 1994
    Product was chosen by Oprah Winfrey for her inaugural 'Favorite Things' list, in 1997
    Brand later came to include include robes, Mommy & Me, KN Inspire Loungewear, and KN Cool
    By 2004, KN Karen Neuburger had approached a net worth of $100 million

Why she might be annoying:

    She made a fortune off of the onesie.
    She became known as 'the Pajama Lady' in her neighborhood.
    She started her small business while reeling from 'Empty Nest' syndrome (her eldest daughter had just left for college).
    Her website reads 'the best moments in life are experienced in pajamas' (deep...)
    Her financial enrichment from the business went downhill after she received a particularly large order that she knew she’d have trouble filling herself.
    She made a deal with a friend who had access to a large warehouse and assembly line to get the order done quickly, in exchange for control over the company's stocks.
    She admitted to signing documents that she didn't understand, basically handing him the business as a result.
    She made the costly mistake of not having her lawyer look over the documents she signed, allowing HIS corporate lawyers to interpret it for her (in his favor).
    She went on to lose KN Karen Neuburger to her business partner after a two-year legal battle. She no longer retains any ownership over the company or the use of her name in business (2009).

Why she might not be annoying:

    Her pajama sewing started out as a mere distraction from boredom (she was pregnant at 41 and had opted to retire early).
    Two years in, she had successfully pitched her products to Macy's and Nordstrom, who loved the 'stretchiness' of the fabric.
    Oprah was so infatuated with her pajama line that she would give them out to her friends on any special occasion.
    She also had no issue prancing around in them on the set of her show and giving them out to the audience, in 1996.
    The subsequent popularity surge the brand experienced gave her the idea for her annual 'Favorite Things' shows (which started the following year).
    Her 'business partner' sold KN Karen Neuburger to an Israeli company called Delta Galil (2011).
    She was able to come on board as a consultant for Delta, during the business transition, and retains a positive relationship with them.
    Nonetheless, she has received no money whenever a pair of KN pajamas are sold, and is still unable to go into business using her own name.
    She was able to regain some footing by starting up another small company, Guardian Products, which deals in lingerie washes for fine fabrics and active wear, and which she acknowledges 'keeps a roof over our heads.'
    She was scolded for her poor business management skills by Oprah during a condescending OWN Channel 'Where Are They Now' interview she had to sit through (2016).

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying