Thought about starting your own business? How about taking the helm at an established company? We probably all have, but it can admittedly feel more than a little daunting. But with girl bosses on the rise, there is plenty of inspiration out there to see why there really is no excuse not to push the limits and succeed.
Here are our top five female bosses that everyone can learn from:
Sophia Amoruso, Founder of Nasty Gal
She’s only 30, but Sophia Amoruso took an eBay store selling vintage pieces to a million-dollar business in only a few years. Launched in 2006, Amoruso owes her brand’s success to creating a strong community using social media – Nasty Gal’s Facebook and Instagram accounts have well over a million followers. Amoruso isn’t your usual entrepreneur either; she was a high school dropout and misfit anarchist in her youth. She’s a great inspiration for how anyone can turn a passion and idea into a successful business, regardless of their background.
Jenna Lyons, President and Creative Director at J.Crew
Despite having one of the most covetable positions in fashion, Jenna Lyons is known for being down to earth and refreshingly candid, even joking about taking out her dentures in a recent interview. Despite an insanely crazy schedule, she still found time to appear on Girls, is a regular at industry events, and is constantly on best dressed lists. On top of it, she has a young son and a serious relationship with girlfriend Courtney Crangi. She is pretty much the epitome of having it all, and a leading example that you can be humble and nice and still be a boss.
Jessica Alba, Actress and Founder of The Honest Company
While most celebrities launch perfume brands, Jessica Alba had a less self-involved idea in mind. Launched in 2012, The Honest Company features toxin-free and sustainable baby goods, ranging from diapers and body care products to wooden toys and household cleaners, all at affordable prices. Alba wants every parent out there to have the peace of mind that they’re giving their kids a safe and healthy start in life. She’s a fantastic example of how you can create a successful company while giving something good back to the world.
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook
In the male-dominated area of tech, it’s refreshing to see a key player like Sheryl Sandberg. The sad thing is, she’s an anomaly – she was the first women to serve on Facebook’s board of directors – but hopefully her success will continue to inspire future generations. Granted, she attended Harvard Business School and had plenty of opportunities for professional growth, but her success in what is still known as a “man’s world” shows that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.
Madison Nicole Robinson, Founder of Fish Flops
The most surprising thing about Madison Nicole Robinson is not that her business, Fish Flops, turned over $1 million in sales in 2013. It’s that she’s only 16 years old. She came up with her idea for colorful flip flops (which she designs) in 2006 at the ripe old age of 8, and in July 2012 they appeared in 64 Nordstrom stores across the United States. Her products were soon sold out. She’s not only an inspiration for budding young entrepreneurs, but also a proponent that a simple idea can become a big deal.
