My philosophy is that you sell things for more than you bought them.
Everyone does a style book, and I wanted to write a business book for people that didn't think they would like a business book.
The first thing I ever sold online was stolen.
Lots of people are going to sell clothes online. But not a lot of people have built a brand, a living, breathing brand that people feel like they're part of.
Nothing will teach you more about perceived value than taking something with literally no value and selling it in the auction format. It teaches you the beauty and power of presentation, and how you can make magic out of nothing.
The modern girl is less concerned with everything being a brand name.
I built a huge profitable business with no debt.
I've probably spent more time than any other brand reading every last comment. To listen to people the way you're able to online is very powerful.
Getting fired was always a big deal to me. It's a bit like having someone break up with you.
It was my full intent as a teenager to smash capitalism and eat dumpster food.
It was easy for me in my bathrobe to provide really great customer service. As an introvert, it's really much easier to do than when standing in a retail store.
I've been wondering for a while now if the CEO role is one that I want - and the one that I'm best at.
Don't you dare alter your inner freak.
I don't lead with an iron fist. I don't yell at people. I have a way of making my opinion clear.
Failure is your invention.
My favorite magazine is the 'Harvard Business Review.' If someone sat across from me in a restaurant and didn't know me, that might surprise them.
If you look at my Instagram, girls are just beating down my door for tips or a job or mentorship. I can't hire every single one of them. My story is one thing that gives them hope. It's an unconventional story with anecdotes, commonsense advice and a big dose of permission to figure things out for yourself.
There are a lot of parents who've come to me and said about their daughters, 'Oh my God, she's 21, she's totally flailing. Your story gives me hope.' I put my mom through that.
It's important that people are open. Some people say, 'I'm going to be a doctor,' and they're a really good doctor. But for the rest of us, it's a big question mark. Just giving yourself a break, letting yourself try new things, and when something doesn't work out, moving along... it's all we can really do.
When you owe money to people, you're always going to owe money to people, so you should take care of it as soon as possible. It doesn't go away just because you ignore it.
I work in silence.
I was terrified and confused every day of my life until I started Nasty Gal, and for a good while after as well.
Every other fashion brand out there - including those that I call 'competitors' - are run by mostly old white men, and the customer knows it.
Don't act like you've arrived when you're just receiving the invitation.
I often say my naivete early on in my career worked in my favor.
