IQ-Magazine-Issue-15
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<strong>IQ</strong> review<br />
Article by Lauren Eade<br />
BOOK REVIEW<br />
#GirlBoss<br />
Author: Sophia Amoruso<br />
Portfolio, 2014<br />
Available in Kindle edition or paperback<br />
Bio<br />
Beginning as a shoplifting, dumpster-diving<br />
teen, Sophia Amoruso is far from the usual<br />
character whom we expect to be on the front<br />
cover of a business memoir. At 17 years old,<br />
Amoruso decided to take a stab at making<br />
money through her own business. Her passion<br />
for stylish vintage pieces with dramatic<br />
outlines led her to start an eBay store, listing<br />
clothes she picked out herself, some of which<br />
she now admits, were stolen. By 2008, her<br />
business had boomed to become the multimillion<br />
dollar online clothing store, Nasty Gal.<br />
Now, Amoruso, Founder and Chair Executive<br />
of one of the fastest growing companies in the<br />
world, tells us exactly how to be a #GirlBoss.<br />
Review<br />
Teaching us all that where you begin is<br />
certainly no predictor of where you can end<br />
up, #GirlBoss is an inspiring read for anyone<br />
who is doubting their personal ability to<br />
be successful. As Amoruso claims from the<br />
outset, this isn’t a get-rich-quick guide, instead<br />
it’s a memoir, talking us through how an eBay<br />
site has blossomed into Nasty Gal, one<br />
of the most popular online retailers for<br />
women’s clothes. Whilst her writing is<br />
an interesting story about an ordinary,<br />
relatable girl who makes it to the top,<br />
much of her advice can seem trivial<br />
and no great leap from common sense.<br />
It preaches that hard work pays off, that<br />
you shouldn’t be afraid to get stuck in<br />
and that you have to work your way up -<br />
nothing original there, it seems. Having<br />
said that, it seems there’s a greater, more<br />
important message behind her story:<br />
you should never lose sight of your<br />
goals, and, ultimately, it doesn’t matter<br />
where you went to school, you can make<br />
it. So, despite the slightly disagreeable<br />
use of a hashtag in the title, and the<br />
gender narrowing of the readership<br />
when her tips really could be applicable<br />
to anyone, the book is still a compelling<br />
and motivating read.<br />
issue <strong>15</strong> | page 60
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