OK, for those that have been following my
blog for some time, you know I devour books
(ok, slightly less than I devour chocolate cake).
Here are 6 books I recommend any
female entrepreneur/fashion blogger should read
if you want to be inspired but don't want to
read some really "dry" business book which
will just make you feel like gauging your
eyeballs out before you've even finished
(OK, maybe that is excessive ;-)
However, before someone calls
the "Book List Police" on me, these are just
my humble recommendations,
but I am sure at least 2-3 you would never have heard of or
thought of reading ;-)
This is a fab book about how best friends developed
their biz idea after the impossibility of not finding the perfect
t'shirt.........and so Juicy Couture was born.
Even if you are not a fan of having 'Juicy Couture' plastered
all over your booty (as in their velour tracksuits), their story is
so inspiring. They give you their back story and not
just the gloss and achievements, and I think every business
owner likes to know about other people's back story.
Each chapter ends with a summary of the main
lessons learned which in itself is worth it's weight
in gold
This book was SO gripping especially when the opening chapters
begin with the author walking around Chanel's apartment in
Paris.
The author celebrates the woman who created the way
we look now, but she doesn't gloss over the accretions
of romance and lies that Chanel crafted (this for me was a
real insight into the woman and part of the story I found so
fascinating).
While Chanel was a supreme innovator of all things
luxurious and elegant, what lies beneath her own
glossy myth is far darker (and of course being a former
Criminal Psychologist, this is the part that fascinated
me the most).
But this is a fascinating book into the world of artistic
genius and creativity.
iii) This is the book that should become your new best
friend if you do writing of any kind. It's about language
and how to use it in your writing.
Why did I pick this? I have come across some fab blogs in
my time, but when I see glaringly obvious grammatical errors
(I'm not talking typos here) time and time again,
I end up never going back :-(
Our blogs are not supposed to be literary works of art
(well at least mine isn't), but sometimes we do need to
remember our first grade grammar ;-)
This book is proof that sometimes old-school can be best.
iv) This next book was recommended to me by
my mentor Todd Herman. I would never have known about
this book had he not recommended it, as I have never
seen it on any recommended biz reading lists (or maybe
I am just reading the wrong lists ;-)
This book was first published in 1916 and quickly
became recognised as a great business book. It's
a really short, compact read but with some real
golden nuggets on how to keep things simple, and
how to know if your business idea will fly or not.
I think this is a real timeless treasure.
v) OK, next up is my favourite blonde. If you think DP is just
a ditsy blonde with a straining at the seams, doubly reinforced bra,
then she had you fooled also. She is one, savvy business woman.
This book is based on the hugely popular graduation speech she
gave at the University of Tennessee. It will really inspire you to go
for your dreams if you are still pondering them at the moment.
And if you are already working on your dream, she will
inspire you to work harder!!!!!
After watching the series House of DVF, I
became mildly obsessed with this woman, and
this book quenched my curiosity.
It's a book of focus and passion.
The first part of the book is her life story (which in
itself is hugely inspiring). The
second part of her book is dedicated to the 'Business
of Fashion' which encompasses all that is the American
Dream, The Comeback Kid and Stickability.
A really inspiring book
So there you have my recommendations if you
don't want to read some dry business book, but
still need some inspiration.
Would love to know your thoughts; if you've
read any of these, or if you would add any to this list.
xxxxx
