#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)

Touched My Soul

It's been a very long time since I had a book really hit home and practically touched my soul as this one did. So good from start to finish with no dry moments in between. I will definitely have another listen sooner rather than later and will also pick up a hard copy to add to my book collection. Worth every penny. Thank you GIRLBOSS for inspiring and empowering one more woman in this world.

Inspiring

What made the experience of listening to #GIRLBOSS the most enjoyable?

It's sass factor is directly proportional to it's motivational qualities!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! In fact I listened to it TWICE all in one sitting!

Any additional comments?

This book is PACKED is great quotes, advice, and stories of unconventional real life experience! If you're sassy and motivated to become a successful business woman you'll be obsessed with this book.

Empowering!

This was the perfect book for any woman needing a little push in life. Very empowering. Very uplifting. It made me feel like I can do anything I want...which is true...we tend to forget that sometimes. My kind of book! #girlbossrules

Beyond Inspiring - Pure Heart & Practical Wisdom

Raw and revolutionary, refreshingly brilliant. Relevant for every generation. 10 Stars! A true Shero.

Great listen

As a #GirlBoss I can relate to this story. I enjoy hearing how other entrepreneurs, especially young women like myself, made their way. Filled with personal accounts of success and failures. Sophia has accomplished so much at such a young age, you can't help but be inspired by her 'let's get sh!t done attitude'. Worth the credit for sure.

Motivational!

Absolutely loved the book! Enjoyed hearing the story of how she build her business. Very well written.

LOVED IT!

Easy to listen to...great message for anyone at any age, but loved that my teens could hear it and take the advice.

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wasn't able to finish the book I guess I wasn't interested in it. narrator was alright

Loved

This book was very educational, entertaining and enlightening. I enjoyed it very much. Great read

Girlboss goes bankrupt

I was enjoying the book and wanted to see pictures of Nasty Gal Vintage from the eBay days so I went online and saw the company filed for bankruptcy. I read a few articles and Sophia blamed the investors for giving “someone that naive” money and called THEM irresponsible. When the interviewer asked if she considered Nasty Gal a success overall she said “I mean, I sold the company for 20mil in bankruptcy so in the grand scheme of what can happen in your 30s yeah I’m proud of it” wtf kind of #GirlBoss is proud of running a 300mil/year business into the ground?!

Considering I was at the part of the story about the investors, and her going on at length about how awesome they were doing that they attracted so many investors...it just...completely ruined the rest of the book for me. Stay away from this book.