#GIRLBOSS

By: Sophia Amoruso

Narrated by: Sara Jes Austell

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The first thing Sophia Amoruso sold online wasn’t fashion - it was a stolen book. She spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and dumpster diving. By twenty-two, she had resigned herself to employment, but was still broke, directionless, and working a mediocre day job she’d taken for the health insurance.

It was there that Sophia decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay. Eight years later, she is the founder, CEO, and creative director of Nasty Gal, a $100 million plus online fashion retailer with more than 350 employees. Sophia’s never been a typical CEO, or a typical anything, and she’s written #GIRLBOSS for outsiders (and insiders) seeking a unique path to success, even when that path is winding as all hell and lined with naysayers.

#GIRLBOSS includes Sophia’s story, yet is infinitely bigger than Sophia. It’s deeply personal yet universal. Filled with brazen wake-up calls (“You are not a special snowflake”), cunning and frank observations (“Failure is your invention”), and behind-the-scenes stories from Nasty Gal’s meteoric rise, #GIRLBOSS covers a lot of ground. It proves that being successful isn’t about how popular you were in high school or where you went to college (if you went to college). Rather, success is about trusting your instincts and following your gut, knowing which rules to follow and which to break.

A #GIRLBOSS takes her life seriously without taking herself too seriously. She takes chances and takes responsibility on her own terms. She knows when to throw punches and when to roll with them. When to button up and when to let her freak flag fly.

As Sophia writes, “I have three pieces of advice I want you to remember: Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t let The Man get to you. OK? Cool. Then let’s do this.”

©2014 Sophia Amoruso (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Rather than present a get-rich-quick manual or a list of business tips, Amoruso teaches the innovative and entrepreneurial among us to play to our strengths, learn from our mistakes, and know when to break a few of the traditional rules." (Vanity Fair)

"A witty and cleverly told account ... It’s this kind of honest advice, plus the humorous ups and downs of her rise in online retail, that make the book so appealing." (Los Angeles Times)

"#GIRLBOSS is more than a book ... #GIRLBOSS is a movement." (Lena Dunham)

#PRETTYCOOL

Would you recommend #GIRLBOSS to your friends? Why or why not?

I am a female entrepreneur born to a middle-class family, so I find any well written success story about a lady like me inspiring. So, I would recommend this book to other people like me who could gain inspiration from it. She had some cool insider tips into how she made it and stressed that it was very unlikely that she would. I mean she started off running an ebay store called "Nasty Gal."
In addition to providing details about what set her shop apart from the rest, she also lists interview tips, which are quite helpful.
Overall, she stresses that if you tap into what inspires you and put care and hard work into doing what you love, the results could pay off.

Which character – as performed by Sara Jes Austell – was your favorite?

Sophia

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How one girl went from crusty punk and petty thief to Forbe's 30 under 30 without ditching her shredded tee and platforms.

A MUST READ!

It's that kick in the ass type of book that you need to dive right into your dreams.

#Awesome

This book was so much more than I was expecting! It was a great story of a rise to the top and a great teaching on how to live life. Well done!

Great book for the 20-early 30s ladies

There were a lot of great nuggets of wisdom in this book! I loved the portraits of a girl boss as well as the humor in which it was written/performed.

As I'm in my late 30s, a lot of message still applies but it is clearly written for a younger crowd. For me, it's reinforced what I know (and that's sometimes what you need).

Love women with no filter

One of the best books I've heard , I'm not a book person but am now getting more into personal growth , learning and being a go getter, this book hit the a lot & is a great motivation for all girls to turn tanker cants into can & dreams into plans !

great book very motivating

I enjoyed hearing about a first-person point of you with how nasty gal grew. I recommend this book for anyone that needs that extra kick in the ass to perhaps not wait for a business planner and MBA before you finally go for your dreams.

Better than Expected

I put off buying this for months because of the less than stellar reviews

Simply put: don't. It's a great,, quick read and I really enjoyed it. I've read a lot of biographical pieces on audible and while this one is t as intense as something on jobs or buffet it was also never intended to be that.

It's light and speaks casually and is very much like listening g to a friend talk about their life. Not so much inspirational as pep rally: getting excited for something you actually think you can do. Very practical. Very enjoyable.

Inspiring & great performance

First I want to say that the performer did a wonderful job reading this book- I think she perfectly captured what Sophia wanted.
Second, any girl who is trying to make it in this world professionally should read this book. I'm inspired, and feel like if I work hard I can really make it after reading. Just wish it was longer!
Great read, and she's truly someone to look up to. Thank you!

Great for young ladies just starting out.

This is a great book for girls who just don't know where to start. To help get your feet on the ground. For women who are already somewhat established, the lessons in this book are somewhat obvious, but still a motivating read. Will be purchasing for my younger sister as a graduation gift.

Read this!!

Fantastic, fun, inspiring and educational!! Every girl should read this (even if you're not into fashion)! Be a bad ass bitch!