“I like to make promises that I’m not sure I can keep, and then figure out how to keep them.” – Sophia Amoruso
Sophia Amoruso (@Sophia_Amoruso) is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Nasty Gal, a global online destination for both new and vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Founded in 2006, Nasty Gal was named “Fastest Growing Retailer” in 2012 by Inc. Magazine, thanks to its 11,200% three-year growth rate.
Sophia has been called “fashion’s new phenom” by Forbes magazine, and she has become one of the most prominent and iconic figures in retail. She recently founded the #GIRLBOSS Foundation, which awards financial grants to women in the worlds of design, fashion, and music. Sophia’s first book, #GIRLBOSS, is a New York Times bestseller published in fifteen countries.
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Want to hear another podcast from the founder of a rapidly growing business? — Listen to my conversations with Tracy DiNunzio of Tradesy. In our three-part series, we explore many key questions, including: How has she created such high-velocity growth? How did she recruit the investors (e.g. Richard Branson) she did? What’s been her experience as a female founder? What are her biggest mistakes made and lessons learned? Check it out.
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Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Selected Links from the Episode
- eBay for Dummies by Marsha Collier
- Influence by Robert Cialdini
- Learn more about Girl Boss Guerilla
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
- Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties and Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
- Learn more about Dating Naked
- No Man’s Land by Doug Tatum
- Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
- Check out Valve Software’s Employee Handbook
- Learn more about Index Fund
- Visit the House of Air in San Francisco, CA
- Watch The Color of Pomegranates, Sophia Amoruso’s favorite movie
- Check out Jura Coffee makers and David Lynch Coffee
- Connect with Sophia
Instagram | Twitter | Podcast | #GIRLBOSS
Show Notes
- How do you answer the question, “What do you do?” [5:21]
- The poopy pants story [9:06]
- How Sophia Amoruso started her business [13:51]
- Why Sophia is so good at selling on eBay [18:36]
- On learning to write persuasive copy [21:26]
- The inspiration for Sophia’s next book [23:21]
- Most gifted books and favorite writers [24:31]
- How to manage the stress of a quickly growing company [28:21]
- The origins of Nasty Gal [30:41]
- On the transition from eBay to NastyGal.com [33:56]
- Advice for those seeking to grow a business similar to Nasty Gal [39:51]
- Helpful books for those seeking to lead fast-growing companies [42:41]
- The biggest challenges while growing Nasty Gal [45:01]
- The mentors and/or resources that helped Sophia learn leadership [54:21]
- Sophia’s biggest struggles [1:01:56]
- Tips for interacting with the media [1:06:21]
- What is Sophia Amoruso’s go-to drink at a bar? [1:15:56]
- When you think of the word successful, who is the first person that comes to mind and why? [1:18:31]
- Rapid fire questions: favorite movies, surprising world-class abilities, and common misconceptions [1:21:01]
- If you could put a billboard anywhere and write anything on it, where would it be and what would it say? [1:24:26]
- The process behind stepping down as CEO [1:26:51]
- What purchase of $100 or less has most positively affected your life [1:29:36]
- Daily rituals [1:31:26]
- Advice for your thirty-year-old self [1:40:46]
- What are you most looking forward to in the next 12 months [1:42:01]
- Asks or requests of the audience [1:43:51]
People Mentioned
- Rainer Maria Rilke
- Betty Davis
- Kelly Ripa
- Natalie Massenet
- Mickey Drexler
- David Choe
- Harley Pasternak