Top Notch #GirlBoss, Sophia Amoruso: Taking Over The World, $1Million At A Time
![]() |
Photo: blondeontheinside.com |
“Started from the bottom now we’re here”, the infamous words
rapped by Drake. But these specific lyrics ring truth to the fashionable life
of Nasty Gal founder, Sophia Amoruso. Starting out with just an eBay Vintage
shop and dead end jobs, including checking ID’s at The Academy of Art
University, Sophia turned her company into a $100 million establishment and the
top online retailer by beginning with a stolen book. Yep, that’s right, “The
first thing I ever sold was stolen”, she states in her book, #Girlboss, and it
is oh so true.
Nasty Gal, named after funk singer Betty
Davis's 1975 album, is living proof that not everyone needs a degree or prior
business experience. Using the book “eBay For Dummies”, and having fortitude,
motivation and confidence is what made Sophia one of the industries most
successful insiders. And maybe hitchhiking to Southern California, job-hopping,
dumpster diving and having every social media necessary to gain supporters
might have helped along the way also.
![]() |
Photo: architecturaldigest.com |
In 2008, Sophia was kicked off of eBay,
being what could be the best thing for her career, she got the push she needed
to begin hey first Nasty Gal website. Having no experience in graphic or website
design, Sophia was able to put together her site and also take the photos and
model the clothes; the clothes in which most had been purchased from craigslist
and goodwill.
Vintage is her entity, her muse. Sophia
created a business empire, something she never knew would happen, no plan, no light
at the end of the tunnel and although she had haters, such as women flagging
her on eBay or reporting her for not ‘following the rules’, she still managed
to come out on top. If that is not a #Girlboss, then what really is, picking up
her book explains it all.
According to Sophia Amoruso, a
#Girlboss is a hardworking, dedicated soul, who takes control, leads their own
path and is the boss of their own life. A #girlboss isn’t necessarily the boss
of others but takes accountability of their own life, is comfortable taking
risks and realizes that if something goes wrong you need to learn from it. Out
of the 260 employees that Nasty Gal retains, Sophia proposes that they are all
#girlbosses and dudebosses. She has a frivolity way of making life at the
office fun, yet serious. According to Sophia, Girlboss is a new word for
feminism.
![]() |
Photo: galleryhip.com |
Nasty Gal’s revenue increased
drastically from $223,000 in 2008, soon after leaving eBay, to $23 Million by
2011. With all the devotees she kept as followers from her eBay business,
Sophia already had her entourage to keep her business going and aid in market
the brand. Being name “The Cinderella Of Tech”, in 2013 by The New York Times
and also named in the “30 Under 30” list by Inc. Magazine for being one of the
fastest growing online retailers in the country.
In January, Sophia stepped down as CEO
of Nasty Gal, handing off the job to Sheree Waterson, whom hired in 2014, functioned
as an executive at clothing companies Lululemon, Speedo North America, and Levi
Strauss & Co before coming to Nasty Gal. Sophia states that she made this
decision on her own and she will still be very hands on with the daily
operations of the company as executive chairman overseeing the creative and
brand marketing.
Nasty Gal, as a company, is more about
style than it is fashion, Sophia shares that the company is modern yet disco
and rock and roll, trendy yet classic. Staple garment of the company include
the motorcycle jacket and vintage high-wasted jeans. Not only selling Nasty Gal
brand but the company also sells designer today. Their customers are considered
educated and what “an awesome life”. A Nasty Gal customer is stylish and doesn’t
take herself too seriously; poking fun, no need to be snobby.
![]() |
Photo: The New York Times |
Sophia Amoruso has proved herself in
the fashion industry with absolutely no background in anything including a
degree, business plan, photography, styling, modeling; yet she opened herself
up to these opportunities and did it with or without the experience. Sophia stomped
on and created a multi-million dollar business that puts her in the face of
fashion. Attending front row at fashion week, and wearing designer shoes she
used to think were a waste of money, “Money looks better in the bank than on
your feet”, Amoruso quotes. If you want to be a #GirlBoss, Sophia is the
fashion insider to follow.
Signed Opinionated Fashionista- #GirlBoss
http://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/advertorial/a12716/nastygal-sophia-amorusa-girl-boss/
http://www.inc.com/ss/donna-fenn/30-under-30-meet-the-winners-2013#1
http://www.fastcompany.com/3027023/the-secrets-of-a-nasty-gal
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/technology/nasty-gal-an-online-start-up-is-a-fast-growing-retailer.html?_r=1
http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/12/nasty-gal-founder-sophia-amoruso-steps-down-as-ceo/
http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2013/02/the-35-under-35-in-fashion-glamour-march-2013/3
Comments