An unconventional business book, #GIRLBOSS kicks ass.Sophia Amoruso, CEO of Nasty Gal online retailer, has a distinctive style that has driven her company to over $100 million dollars in annual revenue.
She is the first to admit that her story is a one in a trillion chance of success, but by working non-stop, combining her loves for vintage clothing and photography, listening to her customers, and groveling over the details, she has become a multi-millionaire CEO by 30.
#GIRLBOSS offers practical business advice - such as a No Asshole policy - in a fun, real way. Her chapter on fiscal responsibility is titled: Money Looks Better in the Bank Than on Your Feet.
Chapter dividers are black pages, which is a nice touch and reflects Amoruso's individuality.
I plan to give this book to my nieces when they're older. It provides practical advice about working hard, questioning things, and being different in a down-to-earth, "cool" (i.e. non-stuffy) tone.
Amoruso talks honestly about her experiences shoplifting and not fitting in throughout her life. About how she was broke as a joke and never imagined that she would know what VC stood for, much less partner with one.
Her business did not start by connections, extensive capital, a chance someone took on her or dreams of running a hundred million dollar business. Instead, Amoruso started her business by opening an eBay store.
Below is advice from Amoruso about building and maintaining a successful business:
* It's all about the customer - Utilizing social media, Amoruso read and responded to every email from her customers. She realized that customers used her online catalog to style their outfits so always includes suggestions on what to wear with each piece.
* Pay attention to details - It's the little things that matter. Amoruso talks about doggedly chasing down a button that was missing from a vintage Chanel jacket. Intent on providing the customer with a quality piece, she chased down the button by sending an existing button to Chanel NY, where they matched and sent back an extra button. Best of all, Chanel provided the button for free, following the motto that it really is all about customer service.
Amoruso states:
"When you take care of the little things, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find out that the big things often happen more easily."
* Work tirelessly - There are no shortcuts to success. While building her eBay store in her early twenties, Amoruso spent hours each day focused on her business, working instead of hanging out with friends or socializing. Her apartment was filled with boxes and merchandise, and her days were filled with improving on and growing her eBay store.
Amoruso states:
"I am talking about visualization that works when we actually get off our asses and do stuff... Each time you show up to work and work hard and do your best at everything you can do, you're planting seeds for a life that you can only hope will grow beyond your wildest dreams. Take care of the little things - even the little things that you hate - and treat them as promises to your own future. Soon you'll see that fortune favors the bold who get shit done."
"Keep reminding yourself over and over that this is what you want, and you'll soon find that the more you know what you want, the less you're willing to put up with what you don't."
* Play to your strengths, know your weaknesses - Success lies in knowing your weaknesses and playing to your strengths.
A weakness that I need to work on is questioning things. I don't questions things enough to get at the core issues. I trust without verifying.
Amoruso states:
"I've learned not to be shy about stopping someone in the middle of a presentation to ask him to please clarify something because I don't know what he's talking about. If I still don't get it, I'll tell him so and ask him to explain it again... No matter where you are in life, you'll save a lot of time by not worrying too much about what other people think about you."
"I want problem solvers who take nothing at face value. I want people who fight for their ideas, even fight for me. I want people who are comfortable with disagreement. And I need people who sometimes, after all of that, hear the word "no" and get right back up to work even harder."
My strengths include my optimism. I am risk adverse and manage risk well, but remain optimistic throughout.
Amoruso states:
"Focus on the positive things in your life and you'll be shocked at how many more positive things start happening. But before you start to think you just got lucky, remember that it's magic, and you made it yourself."
Like all business and self-help books, pithy quotes from others are also included:
I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. - Joan Didion
Why fit in when you were born to stand out? - Dr. Seuss
Don't get caught up in hanging out and drinking or partying. Celebrate when there's something to celebrate. Take pride in what you do. Don't do sloppy work. Be the best. Have something original and special to offer that makes people's lives better. - Alexi Wasser, IMBOYCRAZY blogger and writer
The most important thing to do is to take risks. The risks are where breakthroughs happen, and big shifts take you to new places and create opportunities. They can be really scary and intimidating, but that means it is taking you out of your comfort zone. - Norma Kamali, Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur
I never dreamed about success. I worked for it. - Estee Lauder
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