One blog I enjoy is ElanaLyn, which is a lifestyle blog with a career bent. I was inspired by her June challenge to focus on learning and growth to give the same challenge to myself. In June, joined a new networking group, started a new project at work (that required a lot of research), came up with an idea for a skincare product (which seems to be patented though not on the market, hmm), went on a date, caught up with old friends, and bought this book, #GIRLBOSS. I've sort of needed a kick in the pants at work and thought this would do the trick.
My opinions on this book are mixed. I liked her interesting backstory, and her confidence, but I felt I was too old to use this as an actual career resource and am troubled by the what I've read so far about life at Nasty Gal corporate.
Here are my takeaways:
1. Weirdos, introverts, and eccentrics can be their strange selves and still be successful. Sophia definitely has a unique worldview that meant she didn't really fit in growing up, but she still was able to use her difference to her advantage. I think a lot of people hide or minimize their eccentricities -- because well, sometimes we have to to get ahead or just get by. But, it still is important to remember who you are and what you love. If your job is killing your soul, it might be time to look for something else.
2. "I conjured that bitch" -- This is my favorite line from the whole book. Sophia tells a story about a time where she made herself crazy worrying about her boyfriend's ex, so much so that when they finally met they got into an actual bar brawl (ok it was more hair-pulling than bottle-smashing). This is an extreme story, but i do think there is merit to the idea that you shouldn't dwell on negative people. Inside your head is the one place you can completely guarantee their absence. Why let them in?
3. This book is more of a memoir with some advice thrown in that an actual guide. Sophia is a very rare success story and is still young. It is clear that her views on success are limited to her own unusual experience. It is not possible for many people to quit their job, move in with mom, and pursue their passion project-- student loans, mortgages, children, health insurance, car payments are not things that can be put on hold so easily (or at all, in the case of children, they need food and clothes and clean diapers, and will need it again tomorrow). She is extremely lucky that she figured out what she loved and was good at before Real Life caught up to her.
4. Confidence is key. Despite her background and lack of business connections, she founded a multi-million dollar company. It seems that this was achieved from 5 main factors: 1. creative vision, 2. timing, 3. thriftiness (and later, investors). 4. hard work and 5. unwavering confidence. This is where she is truly inspiring-- she believed in herself-- to ignore haters, navigate boardrooms full of people far more experienced/better educated, and to build her brand the way she wanted. I tend to be such a skeptic over my own abilities, but perhaps it's time I have a little faith.
5. She might be a great #girlboss, but she also might be a terrible #realboss. Sophia wrote the book in 2014. Apparently Nasty Gal has had a few rounds of layoffs since #GIRLBOSS's publication. Now, the book comes with a new introduction in an attempt to explain the changes (and bad press). This is my least favorite part about the book -- Sophia basically states that the people she fired were holding her company back, even though they had been with her for years and she had praised them in her book. I think it would have been better if Sophia left it alone-- The foreword just makes her seem petty. That intro prompted me to google the hell out of Nasty Gal-- current and former employees have let the cat out of the made-in-China bag. See Glassdoor for the dirt.
