Kravetz - Shes so boss: the girl entrepreneurs guide to imagining, creating & kicking ass

New York London

2017 by Stacy Kravetz

Cover design by Lynne Yeamans

First published in the United States by Quercus in 2017

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eISBN 978-1-68144-415-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016962836

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To my soul sisters, the Westlake School for Girls class of 86.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to the bosses who paved the way and to those who bust the glass ceiling daily.

Thank you to the many people who contributed in ways great and small to this book: Nathaniel Marunas, for believing in this project on description. Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino, for your patience and expertise. Youve made this book better with every edit. Sharyn Rosart and Lynne Yeamans, for your design skill and artful eye. Adrienne Becker, Boss role model and partner in crime. Im indebted to Niharika Bedekar, Chental-Song Bembry, Deepika Bodapati, Juliette Brindak Blake, Alexandra Douwes, The Fe Maidens, Debbie Fung, Allyson Greenfield, Priscilla Guo, Gabrielle Jordan, Neeka Mashouf, Nellie Morris, Naama Raz-Yaseef, and Chelsea Siler.

Jesse and Oliver, thanks for being patient. The next book will be for boys. And to Jay, thank you for listening and for always having my back.

BY JACKIE EMERSON

I m Jackie. I am an actress, I am a singer, I am a student, I am a creator, I am a businesswoman, and I am carving my own path. I wear Gryffindor socks. I like funny hats. I am on my schools improv team (which means I embarrass myself almost constantly). I dance wildly in cars. I sing everywhere I go. And I want to change the world.

I also get extremely insecure. Ive overcome terrible stage fright. Ive battled disordered eating, and I still grapple with my body image. I used to worry my friends were talking about me behind my back. At a university that attracts brilliant students from all over the world, I often feel like I might not be smart enough. I sometimes get exceedingly lonely.

Over time, Ive realized that these things that are supposed weaknesses, imperfections, and vulnerabilities actually make me stronger, because they make me who I am, and I have finally come to a place where I am not afraid of thatmost of the time. There are some days when I feel much more comfortable with myself than others, but I also recognize that ups and downs are a part of the journey.

I didnt realize I had disordered eating until I was onstage in front of 300 people, talking about what it means to have a healthy body image. I was using buzzwords like self-confidence and empowerment when an audience member asked me a question about my own daily practices in self-love, and I was painfully hit with the realization that I didnt actually love myselfat least not physically.

I began to open up to these strangers about my own experience, my own journey with my body and food and family and media. I started crying. Then, to my surprise, a girl from the audience stood up and began sharing her story. Then another, and another. This panel on healthy body image became a group therapy session of sorts. And I have never felt as much love and support and togetherness as I felt in that room.

After that experience, I began to do this talk in many different places, at conventions and schools. I started an online web series called Lets Get Real: a forum to openly discuss some of the most difficult issues we deal with, including mental health, body image, sexual orientation, cyberbullying, and anything else participants wanted to discuss. Though it may not be my most-viewed work by commercial standards, its one of the things Im proudest of creating. If we can come together and support each other in meaningful ways, each one of us becomes stronger and more likely to thrive and succeed.

People of every color, people of every identity, people with every experience, should grow up in a world where they are encouraged to open any door and step right in, be it the computer science lab, the CEOs office, or the directors seat. We must dare to dream of new possibilities, new ideas and innovations, and we must believe we can do anything we set our minds to. And we deserve to have the resources and support that we need to pursue those dreams in a tangible way.

Today women have many more opportunities than they used to have. We should be proud of that legacy, and proud of the women who fought for those rights and blazed new trails ahead of us. Nonetheless, we have so much further to go, and so much more to fight for.

Taking a risk is scary. Following dreams can often put you in a very vulnerable position. But you do it because you cant imagine not doing it, whether you are starting a business or forming a band or launching a nonprofit or painting or cooking or running for office. You do it because it is in your breath and blood and bones and soul, and you know that if you dont take a chance, youll never turn your dreams into reality.

This is what it means to be a bossto do that scary thing, regardless of the challenges and despite the risks. By working to bring something new to this world, you are guaranteed to change it in some small way. And maybe even in a big way.

If you have an idea for something you want to see on this planet, though, chances are you dont have the knowledge and skills yet to transform your vision into action. And thats okaysome things, especially in the business world, simply have to be learned. Young women specifically sometimes need a boost in that arena, because a lot of the information out there about pursuing success or starting a business isnt aimed toward us.

Thats where Shes So Boss comes in.

This book contains stories and tools that will help you find your inner boss and encourage the confidence and leadership potential that already exist in you. Your inner boss encompasses not just the uniquely wonderful skills you possess but also the flaws that make you who you are. Insecurities and vulnerabilities may actually be your greatest form of strength. Own them. Take them on your journey.