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Becoming Girlilla: My Journey to Unleashing Good―in Real Life, Online, and in Others
Becoming Girlilla is an unfiltered, inspiring memoir of Jennie Smythe’s rise from unlikely beginnings to digital marketing powerhouse, showing readers how resilience, authenticity, and passion can make a real impact both online and off.
“Jennie’s story is a master class in what it means to have your hard work pay off.” —Kristin Chenoweth, Recording Artist, Performer, Actress, Author & Philanthropist
What would you do with your life if you knew it was half over?
It was the question that faced Jennie Smythe during a pivotal point in her early adult life. Becoming Girlilla answers that question and more, as this digital marketing trailblazer candidly shares her path to success, full of sometimes surprising and oftentimes laugh-out-loud moments.
Jennie’s career in music started with a job interview set up by a stripper in Los Angeles. Her experiences at Elektra, Disney’s Hollywood Records, YAHOO! Music and beyond evolved into a high-powered role as CEO of her own Nashville-based firm, Girlilla Marketing. Along the way, she navigated an industry that often underestimated her, fought through personal and professional hurdles, and rose to the top of her field.
Jennie’s inspiring journey, full of raw grit and humor, unfolds through—
Her battles with career uncertainty
The loss of her estranged father
Her courageous fight against breast cancer
The challenges of entrepreneurship, including the lean, early days of Girlilla Marketing and the path from acquisition to regaining control of her company
Lessons for young professionals, including how who you know can often be more important than what you know
Practical insights for creating a digital presence with purpose and authenticity
Discovering new ways to use social media for good
Becoming Girlilla isn’t just about one woman’s resilience—it’s a call to embrace change, unleash potential, and make a positive impact in your world.
“Jennie’s story is a master class in what it means to have your hard work pay off.” —Kristin Chenoweth, Recording Artist, Performer, Actress, Author & Philanthropist
What would you do with your life if you knew it was half over?
It was the question that faced Jennie Smythe during a pivotal point in her early adult life. Becoming Girlilla answers that question and more, as this digital marketing trailblazer candidly shares her path to success, full of sometimes surprising and oftentimes laugh-out-loud moments.
Jennie’s career in music started with a job interview set up by a stripper in Los Angeles. Her experiences at Elektra, Disney’s Hollywood Records, YAHOO! Music and beyond evolved into a high-powered role as CEO of her own Nashville-based firm, Girlilla Marketing. Along the way, she navigated an industry that often underestimated her, fought through personal and professional hurdles, and rose to the top of her field.
Jennie’s inspiring journey, full of raw grit and humor, unfolds through—
Her battles with career uncertainty
The loss of her estranged father
Her courageous fight against breast cancer
The challenges of entrepreneurship, including the lean, early days of Girlilla Marketing and the path from acquisition to regaining control of her company
Lessons for young professionals, including how who you know can often be more important than what you know
Practical insights for creating a digital presence with purpose and authenticity
Discovering new ways to use social media for good
Becoming Girlilla isn’t just about one woman’s resilience—it’s a call to embrace change, unleash potential, and make a positive impact in your world.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 15, 2025
4 people are currently reading
2642 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Smythe
4 books12 followersJennie Smythe is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of award-winning Girlilla Marketing which heads digital strategy for a diverse roster of world-famous entertainers and brands including Dead & Company, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker, Blondie, Brooke Shields, Iliza Shlesinger, Terry Crews, Kristin Chenoweth, Vince Gill and many others. Smythe is a forward-thinking entrepreneur who leads her self-built company with equal parts passion and drive.
Girlilla Marketing celebrated 15 years of success in 2023. The talented team oversees social media endeavors, partner marketing and content creation for clients. They bring expert knowledge to developing online audiences, digital monetization, virtual events, fan clubs, paid media campaigns, analytics tracking and creative services such as graphic design and video editing.
In her more than two decades of experience, it is no accident Smythe has emerged on top of an ever-evolving field. Motivated by a lifelong love of music, her creative approach has earned numerous awards and recognition. She has been featured in Forbes, the Associated Press, Billboard, MusicRow, Fast Company, People, HITS and The Tennessean. She is a multi-year winner of the Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Awards, a MusicRow magazine Rising Women on the Row honoree and was recognized on the Nashville Post In Charge 2023: Music list.
Her memoir, Becoming Girlilla, is an honest and witty journey through her formative years, career growth, breast cancer diagnosis, navigating the pandemic and lessons learned along the way. “I hope that I can make you think, laugh and see your own story in mine,” she says, “because we are all connected, online and offline.”
Smythe is President Elect of the Country Music Association, as well as on the boards of the CMA Foundation (past chairperson) and Music Health Alliance. She is a past board member of the Academy of Country Music, and a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Music executive development program. Her early career includes time at Disney’s Hollywood Records, YAHOO! Music, Warner Bros. Records and Clear Channel.
Smythe is married to fellow entrepreneur Shannon Houchins and resides in Nashville with their two children.
Girlilla Marketing celebrated 15 years of success in 2023. The talented team oversees social media endeavors, partner marketing and content creation for clients. They bring expert knowledge to developing online audiences, digital monetization, virtual events, fan clubs, paid media campaigns, analytics tracking and creative services such as graphic design and video editing.
In her more than two decades of experience, it is no accident Smythe has emerged on top of an ever-evolving field. Motivated by a lifelong love of music, her creative approach has earned numerous awards and recognition. She has been featured in Forbes, the Associated Press, Billboard, MusicRow, Fast Company, People, HITS and The Tennessean. She is a multi-year winner of the Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Awards, a MusicRow magazine Rising Women on the Row honoree and was recognized on the Nashville Post In Charge 2023: Music list.
Her memoir, Becoming Girlilla, is an honest and witty journey through her formative years, career growth, breast cancer diagnosis, navigating the pandemic and lessons learned along the way. “I hope that I can make you think, laugh and see your own story in mine,” she says, “because we are all connected, online and offline.”
Smythe is President Elect of the Country Music Association, as well as on the boards of the CMA Foundation (past chairperson) and Music Health Alliance. She is a past board member of the Academy of Country Music, and a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Music executive development program. Her early career includes time at Disney’s Hollywood Records, YAHOO! Music, Warner Bros. Records and Clear Channel.
Smythe is married to fellow entrepreneur Shannon Houchins and resides in Nashville with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 11, 2025
Becoming Girlilla is an incredible balance and blend of autobiography and constructive instruction on how to be a good human both digitally and physically. The audiobook offers the unique opportunity to hear the story told by the author in her own voice with her own emphases. An incredible listen/read!
May 3, 2025
Inspiring and emotional. Real life perspective. Must read!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews