Start With Yourself

I absolutely loved this book, and all of the stories within it. I found it to be both realistic and inspirational. Emma Grede has built an empire, and this is her no B.S. story of how she got to where she is today, packed with stories and inspiration. There has been a lot of coverage in the media that have been pretty critical of Grede and some of her takes. Those takes feel a little sexist to me, and also, out of context. I don’t agree with all of her advice, but I’m also not trying to build a billion-dollar brand. (That sounds stressful to me!) Whether you aspire to build an empire or just grow your own small business, I think there are so many incredible takeaways. And so few women are honest about what it really takes to succeed at that level: she’s refreshingly candid. As with anything, you can take and leave some parts to apply it to your own goals and lifestyle, but wow — I certainly took a lot away from it. And I loved learning more about her early childhood (from the daughter of a single mother who didn’t grow up with much to becoming one of America’s richest self-made women). Each chapter breaks down an “old thought” (stale thinking, outdated ideas) into a “new thought” (a reframe, modern way of thinking). If you’ve ever felt like a bystander in your own life, this is for you. I recommend listening to it as she has a great accent and it feels like she’s speaking directly to you, giving you advice.