I Hope You Fail: Ten Hater Statements Holding You Back from Getting Everything You Want

by Pinky Cole

Pinky Cole—founder of the wildly successful restaurant chain Slutty Vegan—takes you back to your moments that seemed hopeless to help you discover how filled with possibility they really were. We've all been told we can't do it. That we're not enough. That we grew up in the wrong neighborhood or had the wrong parents or made the wrong choices. That we can't be anything but a failure. . .What they don't tell you is that every obstacle and mess-up in your life has only prepared you for success. Pinky has spent her life dreaming of financial security. After a fire destroyed the New York City restaurant she put everything into building, she was back to square one, working hard for someone else's dream. Her life has been a series of lessons that have given her the tools to build a business that drew the attention of some of the world's top investors. In I Hope You Fail , Pinky tells her own story to empower you in yours. She'll share her ten counter-intuitive hopes for you, Filled with practical advice and motivational gut-punches, I Hope You Fail will teach you how to learn from your WTF moments and find fuel in your losses.

Genres: Audiobook, Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Leadership

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2023

Reviews

[Dannie Lynn Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHEW. An entrepreneur / self help book that ACTUALLY has new ideas and isn't just a rehashing of decades old advice. This was SO good, Pinky has such good insights and every page of this book is worth paying attention to. I received a complimentary audiobook from the publisher via libro.fm.

[Amanda Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I couldn’t relate to the entrepreneurial parts of this book, I appreciated the fresh perspective she gave on life, attitude, and mindset. She was brutally honest but also gentle in her approach and I enjoyed her backstory. Definitely something worth listening to rather than reading IMO. Super quick and helpful!

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, if ever there is a book to read at the beginning/middle/end of the year, this is it. Pinky was on two podcasts that I love (9 to 5ish and Trials to Triumphs), and the interviews made me think of Pinky differently, so I decided to pick up the book. I'm glad that I did! Pinky uses her own story to give some real guidance and wisdom to entrepreneurs about business and life. I am not an entrepreneur and may never be one, but this book felt like it was as much for me as for them. The book read like a long conversation with a big sister or cousin, hoping that you would learn from their mistakes. I highly recommend this book and have already bought copies for two people in my life. This would make a great gift for someone in a transition point in life or business.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HOPE YOU FAIL. Pinky shares the inspiration behind her unconventional guide, drawing from her challenges and failures and her philosophy to view them as opportunities for growth. She opens up about her entrepreneurial journey and overcoming countless obstacles (including lawsuits against her). The story is a quintessential example of what it looks like to triumph despite tribulations. The book also touches on the importance of friendship, resilience, and authenticity. Still, most of all, she talks about how important it is to listen to yourself, be a good friend, and not let success eclipse anything else.

I really love this book as a guide. Since I am an entrepreneur, the advice and statements about how to treat successes and failures were helpful. I also loved the author's personal story, which was so inspiring. It is a practical guide and a blueprint on how to move forward despite failures you didn't expect and how to make them into successes.

In the hater section, she wrote: "I really can't prepare you for this because no one can. But I want you to know that your success is going to expose the people around you who don't want you to have it. I don't care if you have the same grandmama if you grew up on the same street, or if you've been friends since your mamas were pregnant with you both. If they are jealous of you, it's going to come to light. Understand that sharing DNA doesn't mean you share dreams. All our lives, we've heard about crabs in a barrel. Your family can be those crabs. Unfortunately, sometimes even, they can put you in a box and try to limit your potential. When you live beyond those limitations, then it's a problem."

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and Pinky's performance had me feeling like she was a girlfriend or loving big sister offering counsel.

She skilfully weaves her story, high-level insights and practical suggestions for entrepreneurship in this short book. I plan to revisit it in the future for encouragement and those same practical reminders. I only wish this were longer! Thank you Pinky!

[Queen Rosalind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unapologetically raw and filled with facts. I recommend this to EVERYONE!!!

[Pabvon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! I appreciate Pinky taking the time to share her story and encourage us along the way. Sharing her setbacks so we can avoid the same or equitable traps. I will probably read it again!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In I Hope You Fail, Pinky Cole has a goal of helping readers to overcome all of the negative hater and going after our dreams. She shared how she started her multimillion-dollar business during a pandemic. She also tried to help readers in understanding the importance of fire insurance. Her first restaurant location burned down in a grease fire. The State of New York garnish her wages until she was able to pay back the entire $17,000 debt that was due. This heartbreak led her to founding Slutty Vegan. People judged her in naming her restaurant with the term slutty. She refused to give the name and the business she wanted to create around being vegan. She explained how her father was in prison right after she was born. He was sentenced for 30 years. This caused her mother to have to work extra hard to provide for her family. She described what all this taught her growing up. She also clarified how critical it is to deal with your low self-esteem. It can literally kill your business and cause it to fail. We tend to second guess ourselves and what our business has to offer our customers. She compared it to Beyonce and how she doesn’t doubt herself when she is recording and releasing an album that she will sell copies. She also explored the topic of looking at your team and taking inventory. We need to be around people who push us to our maximize potential.


Another powerful chapter was about love and how when we own a business it makes us have to even be more careful about who we enter into a relationship with. She opened up on how she was sued after she opened her restaurant. The guy wasn’t really invested in her dream. He just wanted a quick cash out to become a part of her brand. She helps readers to ask themselves if the person they are currently with filling the vison they have of love. We need to know for a fact that if everything falls apart that they will be there for us. She strongly suggested readers to ask themselves if they have any unmet needs or daddy/mama issues that is affecting our love lives.


I would recommend this awesome book on business and what tools we can use to grow our business. I really liked how she took a sturdier approach to making bold statements about how she hoped readers would fail because it will teach them so much more about life and business. Another impactful teaching is about dealing with negative voices and how we need to consider the source before we listen to what they are saying. I really appreciated the truth found in discovering the lie and applying the truth. This book was very knowledge and covered all the areas of our lives and the advice was all geared towards business lessons.



"I received this book free from the publisher, HarperCollins Leadership for my honest review.”

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book. Pinky shared a great deal of her life as well as advice that is beyond beneficial to the budding entrepreneur.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book ahead of our Black ERG book club discussion this week at work. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never been to Slutty Vegan, but the reputation of the restaurants and Pinky are well-known to me. The cult following the restaurants have, and her philanthropic engagement are both worthy of business school case studies. I also love that she uses “cuss words” as frequently as I do, which lands the point effectively 😉. She keeps it 100% real from cover to cover. I appreciate the transparency and lack of sugar-coating she puts out there.

This is an easy ready, and if folks are open and receptive, there’s a lot of sage advice that can help them personally and entrepreneurially. I definitely recommend it.

If you don’t take anything from this book, remember to get the fire insurance. 😂

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw Pinky Cole profiled on CBS Sunday Morning. I liked her and her vibe and was intrigued by her business, Slutty Vegan. They talked about this book in the feature.

While I’m not the target for this book - I’m not young nor an entrepreneur and I never had family or close friends telling me I couldn’t do something - I still think anyone who is passionate about their company can learn something. The bottom line is we learn from our failures, and failures are going to happen no matter how perfect the business plan. Or, as Cole writes, we need to find aspiration in our losses.

The thing I really liked about this book was that, while it was important business information, the tone was conversational. It would be fun to sit down with Cole over a vegan burger.

[Ayanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

While many self-help books tend to recycle the same advice repeatedly, "I Hope You Fail" doesn't offer much novelty in terms of information, especially in an era saturated with podcasts, YouTube videos, and TikTok reels filled with advice.

However, Pinky's strength lies in her knack for presenting this familiar information in a fresh, digestible, and creative manner. She injects a wow factor into her delivery, capturing readers' attention and making the content feel new, despite its familiarity.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

This book was very refreshing in the landscape of business books. It touched on important things to keep in mind in your personal and business life to be the best entrepreneur you can be. I really enjoyed listening to this one and can see myself going back to it. It's worth the read, with really helpful and realistic advice. I'm even considering also picking up the physical copy to do some annotating and highlighting for reference later. I also recommend giving it a listen because Pinky really sold it for me with her personality. Well done!

[Maximizing Life With Dez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinky Cole did it again. She definitely has the Moda Touch. This book is about business and life. Life is a business.

I just completed my MBA, and I learned more about business from her book than my MBA program. Will definitely re-read again and again as I develop my business and myself.

Love her authenticity, rawness, and real life advice. I have already recommended her book to my counseling clients because it is a book about life also

Great to see integrity, honesty, and accountability promoted in business.

Awaiting to see what she does next.

[Annmarie Wakely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really liked this book! I listened to this book because I respect Pinky Cole but I didn’t have huge expectations because she’s just getting started! I was still excited to read it. There isn’t a lot of content for small businesses just really getting going and I was so surprised to find out this was. She gave a lot of practical, actionable advice and lessons that any business owner could identify with. I listened to the audiobook on Libby but I’m going to buy the book to have on hand.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a great read! Pinky Cole definitely gives her insight and straight forward approach of talking about being an entrepreneur and owning a business. I absolutely enjoy her positively which is well written throughout the book. However, she does share the reality of what it takes to own a business. She also talks about self care, finding a mentor, and surrounding yourself with great friends and family that encourages you to be your very best. Enjoy reading this book.

[Angie Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook through Spotify, but ordered a hard copy by track 3. A proper well accounted business account of fresh ideas and insight. The only thing was the constant HBCU shout out, but won't lie I truly wish I attended a HBCU 🤦🏾🤣😂🤣. Grab a copy and send a few copies to your circle.

"Who cares anyway" = Masego

[Bella Dorleus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Spotify. I’m not an entrepreneur but I related to this book through my career as a firefighter. I’ve made mistakes and embarrassed myself. This book did help me get a better understanding of the entrepreneurs in my family. I will definitely recommend this book to them. This was the encouragement I needed. I also look forward to eating at slutty vegan.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that I hadn't heard of Pinky Cole when I started this book, and certainly do not fit the demographic that she most directly speaks to in this book (black women), but I checked it out from my library because of the title, and I found nearly everything in the book to be applicable. Failure is a necessary component of success, and she explains that with passion and entertainment.

[Justlikejosephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Pinky Cole is the founder of the Slutty Vegan chain of restaurants and sugar coats NOTHING in her book. I HIGHLY recommend this book ESPECIALLY for 1st generation entrepreneurs like myself.

[Kam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoke to not just to business but many things that can be applied to life in general. I gained insight on business relationships as well as personal relationships and how your mindset can improve both.

[N. Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read. I am not a business owner, however I greatly benefited from the advice found on this book. This can be applied to different areas of your life. I had some moments in which I had to write the quote and post it online. Great read :)

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinky Cole’s book was a gem! I love how she breaks down real world examples of entrepreneurship for Black people. This was a book for US! She’s from my hometown of East Baltimore and if you can make it in Baltimore, you can make it anywhere.

[Literary Leisure · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book for the aspiring or growing entrepreneur. Pinky Cole's personality shined on the pages and the book shared some good insights to think about when gearing up to step into the world of entrepreneurship.

[Kerrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinky emphasizes that failure is apart of life (not just business, but life). Everything can be going right in business and then boom something happens in your personal life- and vice versa. It’s all about HOW you navigate through it. Don’t dwell on the bad or fall into a woe is me. Pivot as much as you can because you know some sort of “failure” is coming your way. She has actionable steps to move past it, while including personal anecdotes on how she had to overcome her own failures.

[Shakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get the damn fire insurance. Some really good gems in here. Gotta get the physical to take notes and highlight. Flowed smoothly. Felt like I was talking to my home girl, advising me on some next level ish.

[Kristine Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for those with an entrepreneurial spirit or even those who don’t want to start a business. She shares her personal experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It’s real, it’s raw and motivating!

[Shawntel Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a inspiring book. I personally am not an entrepreneur but my husband is. I’m a corporate girl but I want to make sure that I am supporting him while still using g the entrepreneur spirt to further my career. Good lessons learned and ways to apply it.

[ZaKiyyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinky is the Queen of flipping what you would think is negative into a positive. She’s done it again by giving a roadmap to success in this book. I enjoyed this and will highly recommend!

[Jessica Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this more than i expected. Some great takeaways, very easy to read.