Why every college student should read #GIRLBOSS

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

You may have seen #GIRLBOSS take the social media sphere by storm these past few weeks. Your most tech savvy and Twitter addicted friend would tell you that there is a lot of ruckus surrounding this book because of the same name that was created by Sophia Amoruso, CEO of the popular fashion line Nasty Gal.

This chick isn’t just writing about clothes, she’s writing about life. Funny thing is Amoruso who just turned 30, is a millionaire, and she tells her story while spitting some advice to a future #GIRLBOSS, which may hit home for many millennials trying to find their beat.

Amoruso was a misguided teenager. She never belonged to a group in high school, and hung out with one of her teachers, Mr. Sharon, who she dubbed as her “lunch buddy.” She didn’t go to college. She prefered to dumpster dive and she formed a stealing addiction. She also worked at Subway (no disrespect, I love a good six-inch turkey sub). Amoruso had no idea what she wanted to do, but she knew one thing: that she loved vintage clothing. One stolen book sold on e-Bay led to selling non-stolen vintage clothing on that same thread. The business eventually got so big that she opened an official online store, which is now Nasty Gal clothing. This one URL has made Amoruso a success.

Amoruso prefaces the 11 chapters and 239 pages of her self-help/memoir with her rules for every #GIRLBOSS. The three biggies that she wants everyone to follow are 1. Don’t ever grow up; 2. Don’t become a bore; and 3. Don’t ever let the Man get to you. Seems pretty simple so far, right?

What makes #GIRLBOSS so special is that Amoruso’s rules are different from what mom and dad might tell you to do. Case and point: A chapter with a section titled “School: It’s Not My Jam ” is for those lost college students who may be wondering what the hell is next, or even for those high school grads who see a blurry road ahead. Amoruso shares some food for thought: “It’s unfortunate that school is so often regarded as a one-size-fits-all kind of deal,” Amen.

Chapter 5 had me rethinking my entire financial structure. The title “Money Looks Better in the Bank Than on Your Feet” is something us no-budgeting-eat-out-every-night youth need to hear. Amoruso built Nasty Gal with no debt. A bad credit score led her to work hard and watch every penny. With that in mind, I think I’ll pass on that $5 Starbucks next time.

Peppered throughout stories of every dead-end job, stolen item and broken heart,  #GIRLBOSS has valuable advice and has a compelling story of a self-made woman. But what can also be found in the book is the philosophy that it’s okay to be a little weird. Following a life plan isn’t actually a real thing, which is refreshing to hear for us over-stressed college crazies.

This book isn’t some über intense philosophical piece made for kids trying to find out the meaning of life. Amoruso makes that pretty clear. It’s simply her story and what she’s learned along the way put into her words. There’s no right or wrong, but rather her own beaten path to becoming a #GIRLBOSS, which has proven pretty successful.

Read more here: http://dailyemerald.com/2014/05/21/why-every-college-student-should-read-girlboss/
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