I enjoy reading books by transparent business founders who are not afraid to let their guard down in the stories they share.

Titles quickly coming to mind are Boss Life by Paul Downs, Anything You Want by Derek Sivers, and Wild Company by the founders of Banana Republic.

High on my list in this genre is What it Takes by Raegan Moya-Jones, the gritty and successful co-founder of aden + anais. Like many startup arcs, this book reveals many obstacles encountered by founders: necessary startup capital, constant cash constraints, people issues, supply chain inefficiencies, and other frustrations.

More importantly, Raegan gives us a firsthand look at the challenges of creating and building a business in a male-dominated space. Her research in the book and the advice provided in this conversation are inspiring and insightful.

Episode Highlights, Q&A with the Host, and Bookclub Starter Questions: Link