5 Lessons Learned from #GirlBoss

In January, I set a goal to read 12 business and inspirational books. To date, I’ve read three books including The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae and What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey. Yes, I know I’m way behind, but I’m writing book so that’s my excuse. Those were both great books by the way! I definitely recommend you all to read both of those books as well.

My most recent read is Sophia Amoruso’s #GirlBoss. If you aren’t familiar with Amoruso, she is the founder and chairman of Nasty Gal – a online vintage fashion boutique. I heard about it from some of my blog sisters who recommended the book.

If you are interested in reading the book, here’s the synopsis:

Amoruso was just like any other 20-something year old in the early to mid-2000’s – feeling stuck while working a dead end job just to get health insurance. She stole a book and sold it online. She realized that this idea may work (of course, purchasing the items instead). It did. She started selling vintage clothes on eBay while using tools like Myspace and Facebook to promote her products. It’s a similar practice for entrepreneurs to promote their products or services using digital marketing. Nine years later, she is not only a business mogul, but inspiration to young entrepreneurs. She’s the true definition of a #GirlBoss!

The book had such great material. I laughed. I shouted. I clapped. It was awesome. I made a list of ideas and thoughts that stood out to me, but I decided to compile the list down to five simple lessons that I’ve learned from #GirlBoss.

Lesson #1: Do what you Love

This is definitely not easy. However, Amoruso shared essentially once you start doing what you love to do then you will be happier in life. Again, she worked several jobs once she moved to California. However, she wasn’t content working with no real goals until she finally ventured out on her own. Granted, she did work at first while she was getting her website together, but she eventually stepped out on her on. As you can see, the rest is history!

Lesson #2: Focus on the Positive!

Amoruso shared when you focus on the negative then you lose the positive things.
“It’s a waste of time,” she said.
Period. It honestly is a waste of time. If you spend more time focusing on the negative thing that happen then you become almost obsessed with it. Positive things happen when start looking at the good things in life.
For instance, if you work for a job that you don’t really like. Instead of looking at every reason why you don’t like it, look at the opportunities available and things you actually like about it. It could be something as simple as the coffee in the break room is great. Try it sometimes.

Lesson #3: Build Brick by Brick

This was a continued lesson in #GirlBoss. Don’t move so fast at reaching a goal. Take it slow. It’s similar to the Three Little Pigs story. We all know how the story ends. The pig with the brick’s home stayed put.
“Don’t start at the finish line! Take small steps to get there,” she said.
This is difficult at times. The next generation of young entrepreneurs as well as my generation of millenials are used to receiving information quickly and immediate gratification.
A business takes time especially if done right. Take your time, and thinking strategically to accomplish the mission.

Lesson #4: Create a feeling in everything you do

This lesson spoke to me especially as a writer. As a writer, I make it upon myself to write with emotion to better convey my message. It’s the same way in business especially when you are branding.
Amoruso shared that you need to create a brand with feelings.
Outside of business, in life, one must make sure that you create some feeling in everything you do. If you are in a relationship, you establish feelings with your mate. It falls the same way with projects.

Lesson #5: 1%

The final lesson is simple, but it meant so much. One percent. That’s all. Amoruso, referred to the American Motorcyclist Association’s survey, in which their members claimed that 99 percent of them were regular citizens and 1 percent were the outlaws (235).
It made me ponder the idea. Do I want to be the norm? You know work a normal 8-to-5 job with little to no way to move up the corporate ladder. Or do I want to step outside the norm and be more like the 1%.
I work a full-time job, and I am probably one of few people who genuinely love what they do. However, the eager Winthrop graduate in me, becomes excited about taking risks and living to my own standard.

If you are interested in finding the book, you can purchase it online or check it out for free at the library. Stay tuned because next on my reading list is Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert.