Sophia Amoruso embodies the classic rags-to-riches story. As a young woman who would dumpster dive and steal, she slowly built up a multi-million dollar company. Amoruso had dropped out of community college and procured a job as a security guard. Feeling unfulfilled, she read a book entitled Starting an Ebay Business for Dummies and felt compelled to try her hand at Ebay, reselling vintage apparel. Her business took off, as Nasty Gal became a lucrative brand and the young entrepreneur soon became a millionaire. Today, this self starter boasts millions of followers on social media. Amoruso, a decidedly unconventional visionary, is a cultural icon.
This month, Netflix premiered a comedy series that is loosely based on Sophia’s interesting life. Starring Britt Robertson as Sophia, Girlboss debuted on Netflix to eagerly waiting fans. Amoruso worked alongside Charlize Theron in production. This series follows up her successful bestseller #GIRLBOSS, which is both a business book and a compelling memoir. In it, readers see how her business grew and the risks she took to achieve her dreams.
Amoruso runs a hilarious podcast, #GIRLBOSS Radio, which she started in 2015 to feature other powerful women. She spends each podcast interviewing women who have succeeded with their business and creative ventures. She aims to discover what trials and tribulations they have faced, and what lessons they have gleaned from their journeys. Amoruso has interviewed some amazing women, such as Jessica Williams, a comedian and former Daily Show correspondent, Whitney Wolfe, who co-founded Tinder and founded Bumble, and GloZell, an extraordinary Youtube star and author.
Knowing the hardships of starting a company, she gives back to the community with The Girlboss Foundation, which doles out financial grants to women who have started small businesses. Grants range from $2,500 to $15,000 and the foundation has already awarded $75,000 to industrious businesswomen in fashion, design, music, and the arts.
Sophia Amoruso believes in hard work and gets her work ethic from her father. He taught her, “When you’re done with everything, don’t stop-keep doing something.” And, she does. No matter what life seems to throw at her, this young entrepreneur keeps moving forward.