As a special treat for you, we have two posts today! Get to know us here if you haven’t already read this morning’s post.
If you’re unfamiliar with Sophia Amoruso and her brand Girlboss, here is the 30-second elevator pitch: She started an eBay store in 2006 called Nasty Gal that, over the next decade, would grow into a massive company and put her on the cover of Forbes Richest Self-Made Women. She wrote a book, #Girlboss, in 2014 that spent 18 weeks on the New York Times best-selling list and encourages women to be the boss of their own lives. From the success of the book and the subsequent coffee table book, Nasty Galaxy, and podcast, Girlboss Radio, she developed a following of women from all ages, races, professions, and backgrounds. Keep reading for my Girlboss Rally Recap.
Amazon describes Nasty Galaxy as “a lushly illustrated embodiment of the collective spirit of the Nasty Gal brand, Sophia’s own personal brand, and girlbosses everywhere,” and they may as well have been looking into the future and describing the Girlboss Rally as well. It was loosely a networking event, mostly a collaboration of 500 like-minded women, and unquestionably a glimpse into the dizzying mind of the Girlboss brand.
So, on Saturday, March 4th, 500 women plus the two men I saw—shout out to the woke baes of the world—gathered in downtown Los Angeles to have look. The event started at 7:30 am (great for LA traffic), and was a day full of panels and talks by over 40 speakers. Topics ranged from female sexuality to the pros and cons of taking venture capital (do you know the difference between the seed and pre-seed rounds of fundraising? ‘Cause now I do). There were three rooms with speakers running simultaneously so, unfortunately, while attending one speaker you were missing two others. That’s how you pack it into one day! Thankfully, they are releasing all the audio so I can catch up on any talks I missed. If you want to check some of them out yourself, you can purchase a digital ticket here.
Between sessions, there were book signings, breakfast and lunch from Sweetgreen, a photo booth from Bumble, and creative studio space from Squarespace. Moon Juice, LA natives, provided coffee all day, however with a such a large group of boss-women, the coffee line was overflowing at ALL times. Note to self for next year: bring a really big thermos.
Overall the event was well planned and endlessly inspiring. I went to a book signing of my current girl crush, Sallie Krawcheck, founder of Ellevest and author of Own It: The Power of Women at Work, and she could not have been nicer. Every speaker was taking the time to answer questions and I saw many women approach them individually to discuss further. It truly was a collaborative space where everyone was willing to inspire, promote, and uplift each other which, unfortunately, is often a rare feeling.
If you’re in the LA area or able to travel, definitely look out for the event next year. Plus, look at this swag bag!
And, while you’re waiting for next year’s event, get inspired with the Girlboss reading list below:
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
Nasty Galaxy by Sophia Amoruso
Own It: The Power of Women at Work by Sallie Krawcheck
Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett
Sporting Guide: Los Angeles, 1897 by Liz Goldwyn
How to be a Bawse by Lilly Singh
