Sophia Amoruso reflects on being the poster child of entrepreneurship with Nasty Gal and Girlboss, going from the cover of Forbes to bankruptcy in a matter of months. Jesse Genet and co-host Erik Torenberg talk to Sophia about what it’s actually like at the red-hot center of the zeitgeist, how to assess your own leadership strengths and weaknesses, and how to rebound in your career and life.
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In The Arena is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: Turpentine.co
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Introducing Sophia Amoruso
(01:49) Describing Nasty Gal’s turning point
(05:00) Missed opportunities to exit: “I would have taken the money”
(08:00) How helpful is the team of C-level executives around a founder?
(12:00) Leadership burnout
(14:20) Tension between the rough waters at Nasty Gal and the success of Sophia’s book Nasty Gal
(16:33) Sponsor: Pesto.tech for remote developers
(20:00) Girlboss backlash: “If you stand for something, people will use it against you.”
(24:00) Politicization of Girlboss
(27:00) Toxic culture from a founder perspective
(31:00) Sophia’s support to other female founders who were taken down
(33:00) How do you defend yourself in the public arena?
(35:02) Accountability and lessons for what Sophia is doing now
(37:15) How to avoid entrepreneurial mistakes
(39:00) Sophia’s advice for other entrepreneurs
(41:40) Sophia’s mindset as an investor and advisor
LINKS:
Trust Fund VC https://www.trustfund.vc/
TWITTER:
@sophiaamoruso (Sophia)
@trustfundvc (Trust Fund)
@jessegenet (Jesse)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@InTheArena_Pod
SPONSOR:
Head to Pesto.tech if you want to hire remote developers today!
