#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)

An all time favourite.

This was so well written with spot on narration. For a while I thought it was narrated by the author which shows how convincing and a great match the narrator is for this book. Great for anyone who felt out of place in life. It's great to see how quirky and unique Sophia was, and yet she saw such huge success. I always felt those who didn't fit in have a fulfilling life after high school and grow into their career, which Sophia did. I am writing this after Nasty Gal had to file for bankruptcy, but honestly that does not take away from how amazing she is. This book was inspiring. Read it!

not as inspiring as I hoped

I was hoping for an inspiring and interesting read. The authors life seemed like that of a TV show, which was definitely interesting, but I just wasn't hooked on the book. It was sort of repetitive, I think I heard "Nasty Gal" way too many times. I knew the book was about nasty gal, but I didn't expect to hear "but when you work for a place called nasty gal" "when you're walking around saying nasty gal" over and over and over in every chapter. I liked the book, it wasn't a waste to me...it just wasn't as good as I think it could've been. I did really like the short stories from different inspirational women.

My early 20's something self would have loved this

Would you try another book from Sophia Amoruso and/or Sara Jes Austell?

Probably not.

Has #GIRLBOSS turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

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

Sophia

Who do you think would benefit most from listening to #GIRLBOSS?

A 20's something girl with a dream. In my late 30's with an established career, I didn't find anything insightful here. The book is written in such a way that it sounds like my mother just as I was graduating college - "Get off the couch and go find something!" Not for me.

Love that she kept it real!

I was inspired by her story, and I don't think it would have worked as well if she had cut out any of the "bad parts" if her life. It was a very good story that I hope to listen to again real soon!

GIRLBOSS is Empowering

I love Sophia Amoruso's voice in this book. It is raw and conversational. Easy to read or listen to. And empowering. As a 26 year old small business owner who takes many of her life steps for granted in pursuit of continuously higher goals, listening to Sophia's story and the other profiles really encouraged me to reflect on my achievements - my own GIRLBOSS story so to say. AND encouraged me to keep hustling! For millennial women, I think GIRLBOSS is the book for our generation. Definite read!

Great Inspiration!

Funny honest real. Sofia hits the nail on the head when it comes to the struggles of being a woman not only in the fashion industry but in business in general. I find it an inspiration as a 40 year old woman to strive to accomplish what she did in her 20s. Listening to it again right away so I can cover what I missed.

Loved it!

Listened to this while I worked out at the gym & it always kept me going even when I wanted to stop.

Very Inspirational

This book inspired me to find what it is that I like. To find out what is important to me and although I'm still looking, I think I'm getting close after reading this book.

Love it

Inspiring, fun, full of good motivation and information. I’ve listened to it twice now. Worth it.

Great for that extra kick in the ass of motivation

Personal story is great but the advice and anecdotes from other 'girl bosses' make it an extraordinarily motivating listen!