Starting out in business, whether you choose to be your own business in the form of an online influencer, or you choose to produce a product can be a fun but stressful time. This is what I hope to do in the future. Create a place that is mine. Where I can wake up in the morning and plan my day exactly how I want it to be. But this doesn't obviously come without practice and knowledge.
Men have written most advice columns, and a good percent of the books giving you tips, tricks, on building businesses. That’s not to say that they aren’t valuable, there are lessons to be learned in business from those who have walked the path before you. But, there is no denying that the rules of the game are different for men and women, and that is why it is essential that you read books written by women who have started up their own empires.
Here are a few starting places –
How to be an Overnight Success. The title is immediately a lie, and that is much of the point. When you do hit success people have assumed it’s been an easy overnight endeavor – so far from the truth. Maria Hatzistefanisgoes into detail about what worked for her, what didn’t, her mistakes and her big gambles. In each chapter, there are a couple of questions that you can answer to help you clarify some of the thoughts you might be having launching your own business or changing the career you are in. She is the CEO of Rodial, and frankly quite something.
Leave Your Mark:Land your dream job. Kill it in your career. Rock social media. Sounds like a tall order, but the book does talk about how Aliza Licht did just that. If you were on twitter a few years ago, you might remember DKNY PR GIRL, the go-to for the gossip, new lines… well, basically everything. She no longer handles that account, instead, her energy is spent sharing her knowledge, or rather what worked for her. It’s punchy, to the point and has some knowledge bombs. It isn’t going to teach you to master twitter overnight, but it might just get you thinking about what you can implement.
#GirlBoss. While the title has been a talking point for many (i.e., it would likely just be called Boss if it were a book aimed at men), the rise and fall and then subsequent rise (busy lady) of Sophia Amoruso is exciting nonetheless. Many of us only learned about Sophia’s background and roots from the Netflix hit by the same name. Why should this make the list? Well, if anyone knows about hard times, working through them, straining your best relationships all on the way to your dream, then it’s Sophia.
In business success and failure are of equal importance, they teach you valuable lessons about yourself and your business. There is very little holding you back from making a leap into your own enterprise; you can even get small business startup loans for bad credit, there are online courses and resources to help you with planning. And after all of that? It’s all down to you and your desire to make your dreams a reality.
xo,
Kenzie
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