Sophia Amoruso

At age 22 while working as a security guard at San Francisco's Academy of Art University,[14] Amoruso opened an online eBay store, which she called Nasty Gal Vintage, named after the 1975 album by funk singer and style icon Betty Davis.[11][15] The store consisted of used vintage clothing and other items. The first item she sold was a book she had stolen as a teenager.[12] She styled, photographed, captioned, and shipped the products herself using what she was taught in a photography class.[15]

Amoruso began her business working out of her bedroom. In 2006 [16] her eBay store, Nasty Gal Vintage, blew up in a way Amoruso didn't think possible, turning into a 100 million dollar yearly revenue business after 6 years and continuing to grow.[16] Amoruso claims to have been banned from eBay in 2008 for posting hyperlinks in feedback to customers. Following this, she launched Nasty Gal as its own retail website,[17] continuing to grow the business as a stand-alone online store. She has previously said that she left voluntarily because of the rules preventing sellers from leaving negative feedback for customers.[18] Amoruso was also accused of artificially inflating bids, which she has denied.[19]

Nasty Gal developed an online following of young women on social media. It quickly grew with revenues increasing from $223,000 in 2008 to almost $23 million in 2011.[3] At the peak of Nasty Gal, it was pulling in 100 million in annual sales, with over 200 employees.[20] The New York Times has called her "a Cinderella of tech".[15] In 2013, Inc. Magazine named her to its 30 under 30 list.[21] Also, in 2013, Business Insider named Sophia Amoruso one of the sexiest CEOs alive.[22]

In 2014, Amoruso's autobiography #GIRLBOSS was published by Portfolio, a Penguin imprint that specializes in books about business.[23][24] In 2016, it was announced that Netflix would be adapting her autobiography into a television series called Girlboss.[25] Amoruso confirms most of the show was accurate to her life. It was cancelled after one season, as it got a sour response from viewers, saying it was a call to millennial narcissists.[26][27]

In an interview with Dan Schawbel of Forbes, Amoruso admitted that she felt incompatible with the demands of being a CEO, and advised that people seeking positions as CEOs continue to seek managerial positions.[28] Although she had no managerial positions before becoming the manager of Nasty Gal Vintage, she had many previous jobs before that.

On January 12, 2015, Amoruso announced she was stepping down as CEO of Nasty Gal, knowing the company couldn't continue under the current leadership.[29] In November 2016, the company was reported to be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with Amoruso resigning as executive chairwoman.[30] The reason for this bankruptcy can be pointed to leadership changes, a "toxic work culture", and poor communication, among other faults.[31] February 2017, Boohoo Group purchased Nasty Gal for $20 million, with Nasty Gal remaining in Los Angeles and continuing to produce apparel, shoes, and accessories under its own brand.[32]

In December 2017, Amoruso founded Girlboss Media, a company that creates editorial content, videos, and podcasts aimed at a female audience.[33] Since 2017, Amoruso held Girlboss Rallies, which are weekend-long instructional events for young entrepreneurs for around $500-$1400.[34] The main goal of Girlboss media is to encourage millennial women to follow through with their different personal and professional pursuits.

Sophia Amoruso

Many women use this resource to find others like them in their pursuits.[20]