Growing Your Business

How to Start a Business Like a #GIRLBOSS

How to Start a Business Like a #GIRLBOSS

10 years ago, Sophia Amoroso, CEO of Nasty Gal, spent her spare time dumpster diving. Now she's on the Forbes list for Richest Self-Made Women with $280 million. Her best-selling book #GIRLBOSS gives practical and inspirational advice about how to start a business. She doesn't talk about "getting rich quick" or "following your dreams" - above all, she emphasizes how her work ethic made her successful.

Be Different:

To create a business like Sophia, and like a true #GIRLBOSS, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone.

"In whatever you do, you're not going to stand out unless you think big and have ideas that are truly original. That comes from tapping into your own creativity, not obsessing over what everyone else is doing."

― Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

Not everyone will take your idea seriously or understand your startup pitch. Maybe that means you need to do more research, or communicate the value of your idea in a clearer way.

The key is to find the balance between developing your idea and seeking feedback from trusted advisors - and most importantly, your target audience.

#GIRLBOSS Making Waves in Shower Accessories:

Jacquelyn De Jesu Center, founder of SHHHOWERCAP, studied and spoke with her target audience for a year before launching her unique product. Those conversations led to a "reinvention" of the traditional shower cap.

A photo posted by SHHHOWERCAP (@shhhowercap) on Apr 17, 2016 at 10:28am PDT

Jacquelyn saw a traditional product and made it her own. Not to mention, SHHOWERCAP was named one of the Smartest Fashion Designs of the year by Fast Company.

"You combine hard work, creativity, and self-determination, and things start to happen." - Sophia Amoroso

Be Willing to Grow:

"When your goal is to gain experience, perspective and knowledge, failure is no longer a possibility. Failure is your invention."

― Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

Whether you're selling fitness clothes on Instagram or a building a new app - you will experience a few road blocks.

As Sophia says, "failure" and challenges are necessary to achieving success.

How will you know what works for your audience until you try? Until you experience first hand what doesn't work?

Maintaining a positive and realistic attitude toward challenges will prepare you for the inevitable business challenges that every entrepreneur faces.

When you choose to make everything you experience about knowledge and growth - there is no failure. Only progress.

"Without risk there is no reward and no change."

― Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

Stay Hungry:

"Never let go of your appetite to go after new ideas, new experiences, and new adventures. Compete with yourself, not with others. Judge yourself on what is your personal best and you'll accomplish more than you could ever have imagined. Life stops for no one, so keep moving. Stay awake and stay alive. The more you experiment, take risks, and make mistakes, the better you'll know yourself, the better you'll know the world, and the more focused you'll be."

― Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

Be willing to do whatever it takes to find success. You will have to learn new skills, sell your product on new platforms, ask for help, and keep your business finances organized.

At the end of the day, your success isn't determined by making a million dollars. Success is about developing habits that lead to positive results.

Comparing yourself to others can be tricky. You can always learn from others' successes, but don't judge your progress based on someone else's achievements. Every career path is different. Beating your personal records is a better way to stay motivated and focused.

Sophia's success as a #GIRLBOSS is based on her work ethic, her creativity, and her realistic approach to business decisions. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from Sophia's unconventional path.

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Alana Maiello

Alana Maiello

Alana is a freelance writer and director based in Santa Monica, California. After transitioning from 3 years at an investment bank to content creation, she's learned to navigate the world of small business taxes and W9's through TaxBuzz.com. She'll keep you updated on the latest content and media strategies!

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