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Time to Get Real: How I Built a Billion-Dollar Business That Rocked the Fashion Industry
Part tell-all memoir and part entrepreneur crash course, the founder of The RealReal offers an emboldening story of perspective and triumph
When she was 52, a recruiter told Julie Wainwright that her failure as CEO of Pets.com made her unemployable. But she proved him—and Silicon Valley—wrong and built her company from an idea into the world’s largest resource for authenticated luxury resale. Since its launch in 2011, The RealReal has changed the world of fashion forever, making luxury items more accessible and sustainable.
Time to Get Real spills the tea on the entrepreneurial journey from a woman’s perspective and includes all the lessons learned and mistakes made along the way to a billion-dollar business and public company.. This is the book Julie wished she had when she was in the trenches—one that shares the whole exhilarating, stressful, glorious, messy truth about success.
Time to Get Real isn’t just about Julie’s wild ride through Silicon Valley; it will also show you how
Build a business from the ground up Hire for startups while avoiding common oversights Overcome workplace bias and adversity Be a shark—and create a unicorn
With Julie’s inspirational story and hard-earned wisdom, this is the perfect read for anyone who has ever imagined starting a company, loves fashion, or wants an uncensored glimpse behind the scenes from a woman who succeeded in spite of it all.
When she was 52, a recruiter told Julie Wainwright that her failure as CEO of Pets.com made her unemployable. But she proved him—and Silicon Valley—wrong and built her company from an idea into the world’s largest resource for authenticated luxury resale. Since its launch in 2011, The RealReal has changed the world of fashion forever, making luxury items more accessible and sustainable.
Time to Get Real spills the tea on the entrepreneurial journey from a woman’s perspective and includes all the lessons learned and mistakes made along the way to a billion-dollar business and public company.. This is the book Julie wished she had when she was in the trenches—one that shares the whole exhilarating, stressful, glorious, messy truth about success.
Time to Get Real isn’t just about Julie’s wild ride through Silicon Valley; it will also show you how
Build a business from the ground up Hire for startups while avoiding common oversights Overcome workplace bias and adversity Be a shark—and create a unicorn
With Julie’s inspirational story and hard-earned wisdom, this is the perfect read for anyone who has ever imagined starting a company, loves fashion, or wants an uncensored glimpse behind the scenes from a woman who succeeded in spite of it all.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published June 10, 2025
11 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 31, 2025
An incredibly insightful mix of vulnerable self-reflections and essential lessons in what it takes to build a pillar of the modern fashion industry. Julie cuts the bullshit and demonstrates her exemplary command of pushing through seemingly impossible deals, learning from her failures, and weaving through her personal heartbreak and struggles. For full disclosure, Julie had been advisor to my past startup of which I was co-founder and CTO. I received an advanced copy of this book.
Julie Wainwright is the founder and former CEO of the RealReal, an online marketplace that has sold billions in preowned luxury goods since starting as an authentication service run from her living room. She had build this company after a tough divorce and being called "the dumbest person in the industry" after shutting down Pets.com, the face of the early 2000s dot-com bust.
Julie's approachable yet clever writing voice captures the reader throughout her narration of building The RealReal. I've grown tired of the status quo of business books: pedantic, ghostwritten slop has taken up most bookstore shelf space. Julie instead feels like sitting down to grab brunch with a new friend. She doesn't shy away from sharing her most offbeat stories when building her company: a first warehouse that smelled of bacon and old carpet, getting stopped at TSA for carrying fake billion dollar bills, and unsolicited naked celebrity photos the merchandising team received. You can't overcome business struggles without a sense of humor!
In the arena of tough business lessons, Time to Get Real showcases the gladiator battles necessary to build something truly different in the market. Because resale handbags were once seen as shady pawn shop items, the early team behind The RealReal fought like hell in building all the necessary relationships to have upper echelons of the fashion industry welcome them in partnerships. It's a nuanced, strategic sales pitch to convince the oldest luxury brands that reselling their merchandise strengthens their image and customer relations. She's made risky moves, including cornering the CEO of Gucci at a party to kickstart a partnership.
Behind the astute businesswoman portrayed in this narration is also a human being who doesn't shy from showing how you can't box up your emotions in your professional life. Her complicated stages of grief losing her father post-IPO of The RealReal. Her immense grief and betrayal when the board ousted her as CEO in recent years. Enduring the challenges of building such a company comes with real pain, and Julie's scars are on full display.
As a fellow woman in corporate America, it's refreshing to reading about Julie's actions as an ally to other women. She's taken bold bets on hiring and growing the careers of young woman, many from unconventional backgrounds. The hidden success story in Time to Get Real is showcasing how Rati Sahi, a San Francisco stylist without a traditional corporate resume, started as one of the first hires of The RealReal. Rati grew from managing merchandise in U-Haul containers to the company's current president and CEO under Julie's leadership. Throughout the book, Julie emphasizes that the way she's treated (and many women are treated) in meetings and fundraising pitches is undeniably impacted by gender identity and structural opportunities given and not given because of her gender. It's unnerving to suddenly reflect on the pockets of women's history dropped in this book, that the women in their 50s that you see in the workforce had started working when sexual harassment laws didn't exist. We've come a long way to arrive at the 23rd female founder taking a company public. There's still a long way to go.
Julie Wainwright is the founder and former CEO of the RealReal, an online marketplace that has sold billions in preowned luxury goods since starting as an authentication service run from her living room. She had build this company after a tough divorce and being called "the dumbest person in the industry" after shutting down Pets.com, the face of the early 2000s dot-com bust.
Julie's approachable yet clever writing voice captures the reader throughout her narration of building The RealReal. I've grown tired of the status quo of business books: pedantic, ghostwritten slop has taken up most bookstore shelf space. Julie instead feels like sitting down to grab brunch with a new friend. She doesn't shy away from sharing her most offbeat stories when building her company: a first warehouse that smelled of bacon and old carpet, getting stopped at TSA for carrying fake billion dollar bills, and unsolicited naked celebrity photos the merchandising team received. You can't overcome business struggles without a sense of humor!
In the arena of tough business lessons, Time to Get Real showcases the gladiator battles necessary to build something truly different in the market. Because resale handbags were once seen as shady pawn shop items, the early team behind The RealReal fought like hell in building all the necessary relationships to have upper echelons of the fashion industry welcome them in partnerships. It's a nuanced, strategic sales pitch to convince the oldest luxury brands that reselling their merchandise strengthens their image and customer relations. She's made risky moves, including cornering the CEO of Gucci at a party to kickstart a partnership.
Behind the astute businesswoman portrayed in this narration is also a human being who doesn't shy from showing how you can't box up your emotions in your professional life. Her complicated stages of grief losing her father post-IPO of The RealReal. Her immense grief and betrayal when the board ousted her as CEO in recent years. Enduring the challenges of building such a company comes with real pain, and Julie's scars are on full display.
As a fellow woman in corporate America, it's refreshing to reading about Julie's actions as an ally to other women. She's taken bold bets on hiring and growing the careers of young woman, many from unconventional backgrounds. The hidden success story in Time to Get Real is showcasing how Rati Sahi, a San Francisco stylist without a traditional corporate resume, started as one of the first hires of The RealReal. Rati grew from managing merchandise in U-Haul containers to the company's current president and CEO under Julie's leadership. Throughout the book, Julie emphasizes that the way she's treated (and many women are treated) in meetings and fundraising pitches is undeniably impacted by gender identity and structural opportunities given and not given because of her gender. It's unnerving to suddenly reflect on the pockets of women's history dropped in this book, that the women in their 50s that you see in the workforce had started working when sexual harassment laws didn't exist. We've come a long way to arrive at the 23rd female founder taking a company public. There's still a long way to go.
June 8, 2025
4.5 stars
This book was fascinating! I had heard of The Real Real, but only had a surface-level knowledge of the company. This was a deep dive into Julie Wainwright's journey from conceptualizing the idea to making it into a billion-dollar company. She did not shy away from describing her failures alongside her great success, and how she could have done things differently when she made mistakes.
I loved the conversational tone, yet it was super informative. As an MBA, I loved the depth in which she described each part of getting a business off the ground, and I felt like I was back in my business classes doing a case study. Another highlight was her desire to make The Real Real a sustainability-driven business. Its core mission was to recirculate luxury garments and accessories and this has a tremendous positive environmental impact by keeping items out of the landfill. Wainright describes the severe environmental and social harm that textile production has, and she took real steps to make The Real Real into a company that could reverse those impacts while maintaining profitability. The peek into luxury fashion was also fascinating. There was no shortage of drama there!
I appreciated the personal stories woven throughout, and in the audiobook the author becomes emotional at various parts of her story. Overall, I enjoyed the audiobook version, though a few transitions were slightly awkward.
This was a wonderful read, it had so much to offer - business advice, a behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship, biases in business, and personal sacrifices needed to make a business successful. I recommend this to anyone interested in entrepreneurship, sustainability, fashion, business, finance and memoirs.
This book was fascinating! I had heard of The Real Real, but only had a surface-level knowledge of the company. This was a deep dive into Julie Wainwright's journey from conceptualizing the idea to making it into a billion-dollar company. She did not shy away from describing her failures alongside her great success, and how she could have done things differently when she made mistakes.
I loved the conversational tone, yet it was super informative. As an MBA, I loved the depth in which she described each part of getting a business off the ground, and I felt like I was back in my business classes doing a case study. Another highlight was her desire to make The Real Real a sustainability-driven business. Its core mission was to recirculate luxury garments and accessories and this has a tremendous positive environmental impact by keeping items out of the landfill. Wainright describes the severe environmental and social harm that textile production has, and she took real steps to make The Real Real into a company that could reverse those impacts while maintaining profitability. The peek into luxury fashion was also fascinating. There was no shortage of drama there!
I appreciated the personal stories woven throughout, and in the audiobook the author becomes emotional at various parts of her story. Overall, I enjoyed the audiobook version, though a few transitions were slightly awkward.
This was a wonderful read, it had so much to offer - business advice, a behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship, biases in business, and personal sacrifices needed to make a business successful. I recommend this to anyone interested in entrepreneurship, sustainability, fashion, business, finance and memoirs.
June 19, 2025
Time to Get Real is not your typical business book—and thank god for that. Julie Wainwright doesn’t just spill the tea, she dumps the whole pot on the table, sips it, and then hands you a napkin like, “you good?”
She shares the real behind-the-scenes of building The RealReal—from TSA drama with fake billion-dollar bills to warehouse chaos that smelled like bacon (??), to full-on boardroom betrayals that would put Succession to shame. But the wild stories aren’t just there for shock value—they’re layered with vulnerable, hard-earned lessons on what it really takes to survive and scale in this industry.
As someone who’s also been through the emotional rollercoaster of founding a startup, this book hit deep. Julie talks about grief, failure, heartbreak, and still finding a way to show up and push forward. It felt like therapy but with better outfits and more strategic pivots.
I especially loved how she spotlights other women she lifted up along the way—like Rati Sahi going from U-Haul containers to running the show?? We love a woman who brings other baddies with her.
TL;DR: If you’re over bro-y business books and want something that’s smart, funny, raw, and a little bit chaotic (in the best way), Time to Get Real needs to be at the top of your TBR pile. Julie Wainwright is that girl.
She shares the real behind-the-scenes of building The RealReal—from TSA drama with fake billion-dollar bills to warehouse chaos that smelled like bacon (??), to full-on boardroom betrayals that would put Succession to shame. But the wild stories aren’t just there for shock value—they’re layered with vulnerable, hard-earned lessons on what it really takes to survive and scale in this industry.
As someone who’s also been through the emotional rollercoaster of founding a startup, this book hit deep. Julie talks about grief, failure, heartbreak, and still finding a way to show up and push forward. It felt like therapy but with better outfits and more strategic pivots.
I especially loved how she spotlights other women she lifted up along the way—like Rati Sahi going from U-Haul containers to running the show?? We love a woman who brings other baddies with her.
TL;DR: If you’re over bro-y business books and want something that’s smart, funny, raw, and a little bit chaotic (in the best way), Time to Get Real needs to be at the top of your TBR pile. Julie Wainwright is that girl.
June 8, 2025
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
How I Read It: 🎧
Synopsis
At 52, Julie Wainwright was told she was unemployable after being the CEO of the failed Pets.com. So she held her head high and started a company, The RealReal, the world’s largest “pawn shop” for authenticated luxury resale items. Her company changed the world of fashion, making luxury items more accessible and sustainable. This is her story on her entrepreneurial journey, including all the lessons learned, as well as mistakes made along the way, to turn her company into a billion-dollar brand.
My Thoughts
Things certainly got real for Julie Wainwright! She’s one tough cookie, I’ll give her that. I don’t know how I would have felt after having a business close as a CEO, then facing all the rejection after when trying to find a job. I would have tried having my own business too. I didn’t know what The RealReal was, but as a small business owner, I love reading books about other people’s success in business. I was not prepared for what read. Julie built a successful business, but I didn’t realize all that comes with growing; how rude and ruthless some people and companies can be in the fashion industry and the risks you take by making your company public. And I can’t imagine working so hard for something, only to be let go from it in the end. It seems so crazy to me. This book is an honest account of all the highs and lows of building a business. It’s definitely eye-opening, so if you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow, you should add this book to your collection.
Themes
Business
Ratings
Pace: 4.5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 4.5 ⭐️
Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
How I Read It: 🎧
Synopsis
At 52, Julie Wainwright was told she was unemployable after being the CEO of the failed Pets.com. So she held her head high and started a company, The RealReal, the world’s largest “pawn shop” for authenticated luxury resale items. Her company changed the world of fashion, making luxury items more accessible and sustainable. This is her story on her entrepreneurial journey, including all the lessons learned, as well as mistakes made along the way, to turn her company into a billion-dollar brand.
My Thoughts
Things certainly got real for Julie Wainwright! She’s one tough cookie, I’ll give her that. I don’t know how I would have felt after having a business close as a CEO, then facing all the rejection after when trying to find a job. I would have tried having my own business too. I didn’t know what The RealReal was, but as a small business owner, I love reading books about other people’s success in business. I was not prepared for what read. Julie built a successful business, but I didn’t realize all that comes with growing; how rude and ruthless some people and companies can be in the fashion industry and the risks you take by making your company public. And I can’t imagine working so hard for something, only to be let go from it in the end. It seems so crazy to me. This book is an honest account of all the highs and lows of building a business. It’s definitely eye-opening, so if you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow, you should add this book to your collection.
Themes
Business
Ratings
Pace: 4.5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 4.5 ⭐️
Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews