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Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life
Start with Yourself is a game-changing, no-BS guide for anyone seeking meaningful success on their own terms. It’s an essential framework that will give you the tools and mindset to unlock your full potential in life and business—straight from a woman who defied all the odds to become a serial entrepreneur, a cofounder of culture-defining global businesses, a nonprofit champion, and the host of the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast. All while raising a family of four children.
Based on the factors of her early life—she’s the child of a working-class single mother and grew up in a rough neighborhood in East London and dropped out of high school—you’d never guess that Emma Grede would go on to become one of America’s richest self-made women.
This makes Grede unique, but she’s convinced you can do it, Start with Yourself is a blueprint to her mindset and how she thinks about business and life, structured in easy takeaways, so you can immediately apply her philosophy to what you’re trying to build and create.
Among her most blazing insights, Grede identifies what she calls “Old Thoughts”: stale thinking, outdated ideas; set-in-stone rules ingrained into the culture about work-life balance, the crassness of money, and the unseemliness of ambition—that aren’t actually rules at all. They’re biases, Grede insists, system errors, and we must strike them from our minds so that we can gain a greater sense of control, even mastery, over our day-to-day and long-range goals.
Ultimately, this is a book for everyone tired of feeling like a bystander or passenger in their own life. Grede offers tangible and applicable-right-now solutions to create a mindset, an overall system of thought to manage emotions, clarify ideas, and illuminate the right next step—while always staying positive.
It’s about gathering yourself after failure. It’s about being accountable but also forgiving yourself. It’s about not expecting shortcuts while never being bashful about grabbing them when they appear. It’s about pushing hard for wins and never apologizing for your dreams.
Above all, Grede offers a new vision for work and life that encourages readers everywhere to take responsibility for their own thinking in order to achieve personal and professional success at the highest levels.
Based on the factors of her early life—she’s the child of a working-class single mother and grew up in a rough neighborhood in East London and dropped out of high school—you’d never guess that Emma Grede would go on to become one of America’s richest self-made women.
This makes Grede unique, but she’s convinced you can do it, Start with Yourself is a blueprint to her mindset and how she thinks about business and life, structured in easy takeaways, so you can immediately apply her philosophy to what you’re trying to build and create.
Among her most blazing insights, Grede identifies what she calls “Old Thoughts”: stale thinking, outdated ideas; set-in-stone rules ingrained into the culture about work-life balance, the crassness of money, and the unseemliness of ambition—that aren’t actually rules at all. They’re biases, Grede insists, system errors, and we must strike them from our minds so that we can gain a greater sense of control, even mastery, over our day-to-day and long-range goals.
Ultimately, this is a book for everyone tired of feeling like a bystander or passenger in their own life. Grede offers tangible and applicable-right-now solutions to create a mindset, an overall system of thought to manage emotions, clarify ideas, and illuminate the right next step—while always staying positive.
It’s about gathering yourself after failure. It’s about being accountable but also forgiving yourself. It’s about not expecting shortcuts while never being bashful about grabbing them when they appear. It’s about pushing hard for wins and never apologizing for your dreams.
Above all, Grede offers a new vision for work and life that encourages readers everywhere to take responsibility for their own thinking in order to achieve personal and professional success at the highest levels.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
April 20, 2026
I wonder if people would have the same critique on her book if she were a man. She told no lies.
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April 24, 2026Emma stands firmly in so many truths that ambitious women are shamed for entertaining. I’ve always been a big fan but this book left me feeling like a student of hers as well. Highly highly recommend !
April 21, 2026
In a world that emphasizes not giving a f*, prioritizing leisure over work but the entitlement that people should still be paid a golden egg, and a culture that makes you think you can have it all, this book revitalized and inspired me to start caring again. It was a nice reminder (without being too harsh) that anything worth having is worth working for and that nothing is handed to anyone. I gave it 4 stars because some of the points were not unique and it reminded me a lot of Sharmadean Reid’s New Methods for Women, but I loved how real and raw this read was.
May 3, 2026
I didn’t relate much to the negative emotions the author (Emma) has had to deal with in life, and I did not always relate to her strong personality. Emma clearly has some deep emotional struggles that she has dealt with in her life. She is naturally a very disagreeable person and gets defensive when people say things that touch on the insecurities that she has, namely, when anyone hints that she is not good enough as a highly successful businesswoman (which, btw, she absolutely is).
A moment of hers that surprised me was when she got enraged at a woman who simply asked her if she could make a networking introduction, because the woman didn’t offer her anything in return. If she wanted something in return, then she could have just asked, but instead she reprimanded the woman. It was confusing because it seems misaligned with her also saying that she wants to help women take up so much more space as entrepreneurs. That’s not a heartfelt statement if the help is conditional.
I also found it incredibly sad that she said that you can really only be happy 1/3 of the time. Happiness can definitely be your default if you are focused on the correct thing (God, for example) and if you take control of your thoughts and decide to be completely content with where you are currently in your life. It takes commitment, but it’s doable.
She talks a lot about her personal journey, but the book is also half business advice, and there are some really great insights given. (I think the brand/business chapter is the most valuable chapter.)
I like how she pointed out that you can’t “have it all” as a woman. If you are simultaneously trying to run a highly successful business, take care of your family, take care of yourself as well, have other people in your life, etc., then something will always have to get less of your attention. You can’t possibly focus on every single thing 100% of the time, nor should you exhaust yourself trying to.
I loved her emphasis on negotiating for yourself and I appreciate her natural skill in working out deals with others. This is her biggest strength as an entrepreneur and I think she would be definitely someone to continue to gain insight from in this area.
I agree with her that you should always ask as many question as possible. She emphasizes that you can learn valuable information from anyone, in person or online, if you’re actively looking to do so. This is great advice. Having a growth mindset is essential and it was pleasing to see that she is a proponent of it.
Favorite quotes and my notes:
“The most exceptional leaders…are not those who make the “best” decisions, but those who make the “most” decisions.”
(More iteration leads to better and quicker insight. This is crucial for good-decision making.)
“This is common: to underestimate what we’re good at in lieu of going for something that feels “harder”, and therefore more real…[However], something doesn’t need to be complex to be worthwhile.”
“…Business is hard, so relentlessly look for opportunities to make the journey as easy as possible for yourself. Embrace simplicity, cherish your heroes, and look for shortcuts and acceleration points wherever you can find them.”
(Leverage what you’re good at, even if it is surprisingly simple)
“I always take aim at any business that feels like competition. I will learn everything about those companies,”
“I don’t do this to replicate their business or merch plan. I do this because comparing my company to other companies helps me to define and differentiate what we do.”
(Be obsessive about what your biggest competitors are doing at all times so that you can continually outsmart them.)
I am actually quite divided on this book. I almost wish that it leaned either entirely memoir or entirely a business book because the half-and-half thing didn’t always mesh well.
A moment of hers that surprised me was when she got enraged at a woman who simply asked her if she could make a networking introduction, because the woman didn’t offer her anything in return. If she wanted something in return, then she could have just asked, but instead she reprimanded the woman. It was confusing because it seems misaligned with her also saying that she wants to help women take up so much more space as entrepreneurs. That’s not a heartfelt statement if the help is conditional.
I also found it incredibly sad that she said that you can really only be happy 1/3 of the time. Happiness can definitely be your default if you are focused on the correct thing (God, for example) and if you take control of your thoughts and decide to be completely content with where you are currently in your life. It takes commitment, but it’s doable.
She talks a lot about her personal journey, but the book is also half business advice, and there are some really great insights given. (I think the brand/business chapter is the most valuable chapter.)
I like how she pointed out that you can’t “have it all” as a woman. If you are simultaneously trying to run a highly successful business, take care of your family, take care of yourself as well, have other people in your life, etc., then something will always have to get less of your attention. You can’t possibly focus on every single thing 100% of the time, nor should you exhaust yourself trying to.
I loved her emphasis on negotiating for yourself and I appreciate her natural skill in working out deals with others. This is her biggest strength as an entrepreneur and I think she would be definitely someone to continue to gain insight from in this area.
I agree with her that you should always ask as many question as possible. She emphasizes that you can learn valuable information from anyone, in person or online, if you’re actively looking to do so. This is great advice. Having a growth mindset is essential and it was pleasing to see that she is a proponent of it.
Favorite quotes and my notes:
“The most exceptional leaders…are not those who make the “best” decisions, but those who make the “most” decisions.”
(More iteration leads to better and quicker insight. This is crucial for good-decision making.)
“This is common: to underestimate what we’re good at in lieu of going for something that feels “harder”, and therefore more real…[However], something doesn’t need to be complex to be worthwhile.”
“…Business is hard, so relentlessly look for opportunities to make the journey as easy as possible for yourself. Embrace simplicity, cherish your heroes, and look for shortcuts and acceleration points wherever you can find them.”
(Leverage what you’re good at, even if it is surprisingly simple)
“I always take aim at any business that feels like competition. I will learn everything about those companies,”
“I don’t do this to replicate their business or merch plan. I do this because comparing my company to other companies helps me to define and differentiate what we do.”
(Be obsessive about what your biggest competitors are doing at all times so that you can continually outsmart them.)
I am actually quite divided on this book. I almost wish that it leaned either entirely memoir or entirely a business book because the half-and-half thing didn’t always mesh well.
May 13, 2026
Compelling Success Story, But Blind to Privilege and Alienating for Late Bloomers
Emma Grede’s drive and business acumen are undeniable. As an entrepreneur, her achievements are genuinely impressive, and her "no-nonsense" advice on building a brand offers sharp, practical insights for anyone aiming for the absolute top of the corporate ladder. Her work ethic is commendable, and her journey from a working-class background to a global mogul is a masterclass in sheer determination.However, the book frequently crosses the line from motivational memoir into relentless bragging. While Grede frames her story around a humble background, her narrative suffers from severe blind spots regarding privilege and opportunity. Starting a career path at age 12 is a luxury of circumstance, timing, and geography that many genuinely impoverished people simply do not have access to.Furthermore, her rigid stance that you must sacrifice your 20s to establish a career creates an unnecessary, anxiety-inducing timeline. For readers in their 30s or those who faced systemic barriers, chronic illness, or caretaking duties in their youth, this book does not inspire—it shames. It acts as though life ends if you didn't hustle your way to the top by 25.Read this if you want to study Grede’s specific blueprint for corporate ruthlessness, but take her life timeline with a massive grain of salt. Success is not a race, and it is never too late to start
Emma Grede’s drive and business acumen are undeniable. As an entrepreneur, her achievements are genuinely impressive, and her "no-nonsense" advice on building a brand offers sharp, practical insights for anyone aiming for the absolute top of the corporate ladder. Her work ethic is commendable, and her journey from a working-class background to a global mogul is a masterclass in sheer determination.However, the book frequently crosses the line from motivational memoir into relentless bragging. While Grede frames her story around a humble background, her narrative suffers from severe blind spots regarding privilege and opportunity. Starting a career path at age 12 is a luxury of circumstance, timing, and geography that many genuinely impoverished people simply do not have access to.Furthermore, her rigid stance that you must sacrifice your 20s to establish a career creates an unnecessary, anxiety-inducing timeline. For readers in their 30s or those who faced systemic barriers, chronic illness, or caretaking duties in their youth, this book does not inspire—it shames. It acts as though life ends if you didn't hustle your way to the top by 25.Read this if you want to study Grede’s specific blueprint for corporate ruthlessness, but take her life timeline with a massive grain of salt. Success is not a race, and it is never too late to start
April 18, 2026
If you want a no-nonsense book on how to make it as a female founder or woman in business, this book is for you. If you’re not afraid of honesty and hard work, this book is for you. If you want the cold hard truth that success like Emma’s requires tradeoffs, sacrifice & real grit, this book is for you. If you want fluff, a get-rich-quick secret, or a guide on how to make everyone else happy while you build your brand — don’t bother.
May 6, 2026
This was the best book I’ve read in a long time. Must-read.
April 25, 2026
I have to say, Emma Grede is a total force and this book delivered. I'm not usually one for self-help books, but she has something real to say, especially about women and money. She talks about how women can leverage their careers, become more powerful, and actually have a vision and plan for their dreams, not just vague "manifesting" but concrete strategy. She does this while weaving in her own story of growing up poor in East London and building multiple businesses from scratch. Her perspective on negotiation, asking for what you're worth, and thinking like a founder even as an employee stuck with me. obsessed.
May 11, 2026
I really enjoyed hearing Emma’s voice throughout her book but I realized I was looking to read more of a memoir than a self help book (I’m not sure if this quite falls under self help but idk what it can be categorized as - business help book?). I really enjoyed her anecdotes about growing up in east London, and about her family, and peeling back the curtain on her famous partnerships with the Kardashians. I learned that she is involved in Off Season with Kristin Juszczyk, and that was super cool, I learned about her podcast which maybe I’ll listen to now. I think she must have so many more interesting stories to tell and that’s what I’m interested in reading.
I like when authors explain through examples rather than just talking at me, and I felt like she did a lot of talking at me and reiterating the same points over and over again. 🤷♀️
I like when authors explain through examples rather than just talking at me, and I felt like she did a lot of talking at me and reiterating the same points over and over again. 🤷♀️
May 16, 2026
There was a lot of rambling in the book and I felt some chapters seemed to be very scattered. The inserts of random quotes didn’t fit. Some tips were useful but nothing that hasn’t been said before. Felt like there was a lot of fluff.
May 14, 2026
2.5⭐️ I definitely liked some of her perspectives and advice. However at times it definitely came across as judgy.
June 10, 2026
I listened to the audiobook, and I'm so glad emma narrated it herself. I admire Emma and what she stands for.
One of my biggest takeaways was that it's okay to be scared. Fear isn't always a sign to stop, It's a sign that you're growing. I also loved her perspective that emotions are information. Learning how to understand and work through your emotions, rather than ignoring them, is such an important skill.
One quote that really stayed with me was "I knew I had enough though because I had myself". That mindset resonated deeply. I didn't go to college, and sometimes I've felt like that has held me back. I loved how emma reframed her own experience and saw it as a head start rather than a disadvantage. that perspective challenged me to stop focusing on what I lack and instead focus on continuing to grow and learn.
I'm not a mother yet, but I also appreciated emmas discussion about ambition, motherhood, and community. As a mother of four, she shows that it is possible to pursue your dreams while raising a family. I love how open she is talking about her support system and how success is rarely achieved alone. Mothers don't have to abandon their dreams to be good mothers. When you pour into yourself, youre able to pour into your family . its not about choosing between your dreams and your family, its about finding a healthy balance so you can pursue both without resentment or regret. This book is a powerful reminder to take ownership of your life bc nobody is coming to save you.
One of my biggest takeaways was that it's okay to be scared. Fear isn't always a sign to stop, It's a sign that you're growing. I also loved her perspective that emotions are information. Learning how to understand and work through your emotions, rather than ignoring them, is such an important skill.
One quote that really stayed with me was "I knew I had enough though because I had myself". That mindset resonated deeply. I didn't go to college, and sometimes I've felt like that has held me back. I loved how emma reframed her own experience and saw it as a head start rather than a disadvantage. that perspective challenged me to stop focusing on what I lack and instead focus on continuing to grow and learn.
I'm not a mother yet, but I also appreciated emmas discussion about ambition, motherhood, and community. As a mother of four, she shows that it is possible to pursue your dreams while raising a family. I love how open she is talking about her support system and how success is rarely achieved alone. Mothers don't have to abandon their dreams to be good mothers. When you pour into yourself, youre able to pour into your family . its not about choosing between your dreams and your family, its about finding a healthy balance so you can pursue both without resentment or regret. This book is a powerful reminder to take ownership of your life bc nobody is coming to save you.
May 11, 2026
Audiobook.
--
Creating your own morning routine:
Set yourself up in a very specific way.
Morning ritual anchor your entire day.
Vision>
Try hard. Relentless. Excel ruthlessly.
Email all agencies, go in-person if no one responds. Be the top employee.
Write vision statements.
For yourself, when your 30s, 40s, 50s....
Assess your year on birthday, plan your next year. Must realize goals by your next birthday.
Why couldn't you achieve some of your goals last year? Reasons?
3 things you wish you did more last year?
What are you avoiding, scared of doing?
How do you planning to learn & grow next year?
Habits & boundaries?
Managing Emotions>
The key to "realizing" your vision. How to respond to your environment.
Listen to your body-based "No".
Anger. Culture of blame.
Jealousy, anger, victimizing, vindictive... unhelpful. Take responsibility for yourself.
"I don't have time to waste on this shit."
Fear. "Challenge stress" is good stress. Embrace it.
Stop "looking for bosses" to subordinate yourself to.
Use your emotions as a barometer (guilt, fatigue, sadness, etc). To assess your life. But aligned with your own goals, not societal expectations.
Don't kill yourself during the week. With kids, weekends are no longer for recharging. Pace yourself everyday, give yourself a break and focus time everyday.
Joy. "No one can make me happier than I make myself. My happiness is on me."
Old Thoughts>
Tradoffs.
There's always going to be tradeoffs. No one can have it all. All at the same time. But you can have it all "over a period of time".
Don't blame yourself for the tradeoffs. Foresee what you are giving up when you decided what you decided. Accept it, move on.
Say NO. Clear on your goals. Say NO to everything else. Don't volunteer out of "nicety". Don't be a class parent. Don't do stuff that doesn't get you closer to your kid, move career, useless social, useless parties, reciprocity dinners......
Plan your year:
What would a "great year" look like?
What am I willing to sacrifice?
What progress do I want to make, and where?
What are non-negotiables I'm not willing to give up?
How do I want to look back on this time?
Find your non-negotiables. Prepare to trade off the rest.
What are you "willing to give" to get what you want?
Anticipate tradeoffs. And plan for them.>
Delegate. No point controlling details in areas you have little expertise.
Find help, outsource your to-do list, make your day less frantic.
Develop your expertise intuition. Make quick decision & move on. Better to "decide & act" than ruminating, waiting too long, gathering too much info. Never enough certainty.
Direct & immediate confrontation. Not skirt around it, being dodgy & awkward around those people later.
Money is foundational. What gives time, energy, space, opportunities. Be better at taking money for ourselves.
--
Creating your own morning routine:
Set yourself up in a very specific way.
Morning ritual anchor your entire day.
Vision>
Try hard. Relentless. Excel ruthlessly.
Email all agencies, go in-person if no one responds. Be the top employee.
Write vision statements.
For yourself, when your 30s, 40s, 50s....
Assess your year on birthday, plan your next year. Must realize goals by your next birthday.
Why couldn't you achieve some of your goals last year? Reasons?
3 things you wish you did more last year?
What are you avoiding, scared of doing?
How do you planning to learn & grow next year?
Habits & boundaries?
Managing Emotions>
The key to "realizing" your vision. How to respond to your environment.
Listen to your body-based "No".
Anger. Culture of blame.
Jealousy, anger, victimizing, vindictive... unhelpful. Take responsibility for yourself.
"I don't have time to waste on this shit."
Fear. "Challenge stress" is good stress. Embrace it.
Stop "looking for bosses" to subordinate yourself to.
Use your emotions as a barometer (guilt, fatigue, sadness, etc). To assess your life. But aligned with your own goals, not societal expectations.
Don't kill yourself during the week. With kids, weekends are no longer for recharging. Pace yourself everyday, give yourself a break and focus time everyday.
Joy. "No one can make me happier than I make myself. My happiness is on me."
Old Thoughts>
Tradoffs.
There's always going to be tradeoffs. No one can have it all. All at the same time. But you can have it all "over a period of time".
Don't blame yourself for the tradeoffs. Foresee what you are giving up when you decided what you decided. Accept it, move on.
Say NO. Clear on your goals. Say NO to everything else. Don't volunteer out of "nicety". Don't be a class parent. Don't do stuff that doesn't get you closer to your kid, move career, useless social, useless parties, reciprocity dinners......
Plan your year:
What would a "great year" look like?
What am I willing to sacrifice?
What progress do I want to make, and where?
What are non-negotiables I'm not willing to give up?
How do I want to look back on this time?
Find your non-negotiables. Prepare to trade off the rest.
What are you "willing to give" to get what you want?
Anticipate tradeoffs. And plan for them.>
Delegate. No point controlling details in areas you have little expertise.
Find help, outsource your to-do list, make your day less frantic.
Develop your expertise intuition. Make quick decision & move on. Better to "decide & act" than ruminating, waiting too long, gathering too much info. Never enough certainty.
Direct & immediate confrontation. Not skirt around it, being dodgy & awkward around those people later.
Money is foundational. What gives time, energy, space, opportunities. Be better at taking money for ourselves.
May 7, 2026
This was truly an impactful read — and one of the best nonfiction leadership books I’ve ever read.
Very simply put: there are so FEW examples of successful BLACK female founders and business owners who are also MOMS. I can’t think of many. And as a black woman and mom myself, I find it very difficult to listen to advice about how to be successful or how to start a business from people who don’t understand the nuances of balancing ambition with motherhood. It’s hard, complicated, and often feels impossible.
BUT Emma knows and lives that reality, so through this book she tackles what it looks like to be ambitious and still be a present mom. She discusses the trade-offs that happen, the support that is needed, and the hard work and strategy that is required.
She not only challenged me through her story, but she reminded me that pursuing MY ambition and my dreams are also an important part of supporting my family. I don’t have to sacrifice myself to have a great family.
There are many many more things I loved about this book, but overall I’d say this book is the perfect mix of: family/motherhood, leadership/business, strategy/action, and self-reflection/self-accountability.
The ONLY reason I’m giving this book a 4/5 stars is because I did feel like the ending was cut short. I found myself at the end surprised it was over. I was waiting for more!
Very simply put: there are so FEW examples of successful BLACK female founders and business owners who are also MOMS. I can’t think of many. And as a black woman and mom myself, I find it very difficult to listen to advice about how to be successful or how to start a business from people who don’t understand the nuances of balancing ambition with motherhood. It’s hard, complicated, and often feels impossible.
BUT Emma knows and lives that reality, so through this book she tackles what it looks like to be ambitious and still be a present mom. She discusses the trade-offs that happen, the support that is needed, and the hard work and strategy that is required.
She not only challenged me through her story, but she reminded me that pursuing MY ambition and my dreams are also an important part of supporting my family. I don’t have to sacrifice myself to have a great family.
There are many many more things I loved about this book, but overall I’d say this book is the perfect mix of: family/motherhood, leadership/business, strategy/action, and self-reflection/self-accountability.
The ONLY reason I’m giving this book a 4/5 stars is because I did feel like the ending was cut short. I found myself at the end surprised it was over. I was waiting for more!
June 14, 2026
Emma Grede offers a new vision for work and life in Start With Yourself, encouraging women to redefine success, with honest reminders about the consistent hard work required to achieve it.
I appreciated Grede’s authenticity throughout the book. There’s something for everyone here — The chapters on Trade-Offs and Fear resonated most with me, followed by Money and Career. Other chapters focus on family (largely, parenthood), building a business, leadership, and a range of emotions including anger, guilt, sadness, and joy. I did not agree with all of Grede’s thoughts but I certainly agreed with more than less and found Start With Yourself to be a refreshing read.
I appreciated Grede’s authenticity throughout the book. There’s something for everyone here — The chapters on Trade-Offs and Fear resonated most with me, followed by Money and Career. Other chapters focus on family (largely, parenthood), building a business, leadership, and a range of emotions including anger, guilt, sadness, and joy. I did not agree with all of Grede’s thoughts but I certainly agreed with more than less and found Start With Yourself to be a refreshing read.
April 30, 2026
WOW! I loved this book and it left me feeling very inspired and motivated. I’ve been a fan of Emma since her podcast came out last year. I love that this book is not just targeting entrepreneurs but lays a foundation for ambitious women who want to be successful. Really appreciate her no BS approach. She’s not selling a vision that is unattainable but instead laying a foundation for success and what it truly takes to get there, without sugarcoating it. Start with yourself ladies and read this book!
May 22, 2026
I enjoyed this book and the author's voice and perspective overall. There were some things that did not resonate with me. Specifically, the child rearing and motherhood sections. She does acknowledge her privileges to have multiple nannies and housekeepers, but what she describes only seems feasible at that level of wealth. I also think there was lacking nuance around working from home and career advancement. I think this depends on industry and corporate culture. Some companies are fully or mostly remote...women can succeed there too.
The overarching tone and message of the book was refreshing and I enjoyed it. Definitely a step ahead from "Lean In" and the girl boss energy that precedes this book.
The overarching tone and message of the book was refreshing and I enjoyed it. Definitely a step ahead from "Lean In" and the girl boss energy that precedes this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2026
I loved this so much and I will probably read it for a second time soon. So many chapters made me feel both inspired and motivated to work harder in my own field. The criticism of Emma and this book have been disturbing yet not surprising. If you are extremely anti-capitalist, anti-natalist, or anti-working-woman, don’t read it. I for one love to watch women create wealth, let alone a black woman who rose up against all the odds stacked against her. Her responses to the widespread criticism of this book actually inspire me too. Highly recommend!
May 27, 2026
So I bought this book because there’s something about a woman corporate memoir style book I can’t look away from. I enjoy reading articles that detail a week in the life at McKinsey or Big Law or JP Morgan because I’m so fascinated by this style of living. I bought Lean In back in the day too. Not to live by, but to observe as an anthropological study.
I can’t discredit Emma for being authentic. Some people are built differently, and I don’t understand it myself, but I admire her relentless drive to achieve a certain result. I also would love to borrow her ability to not let what others think affect her. Her lifestyle isn’t for me - if I had hundreds of millions of dollars, growth would be the last thing on my mind - but that’s how she got to her success in the first place. She owns who she is and is willing to say the uncomfortable truths out loud.
Entertaining, and felt like reading a podcast.
I can’t discredit Emma for being authentic. Some people are built differently, and I don’t understand it myself, but I admire her relentless drive to achieve a certain result. I also would love to borrow her ability to not let what others think affect her. Her lifestyle isn’t for me - if I had hundreds of millions of dollars, growth would be the last thing on my mind - but that’s how she got to her success in the first place. She owns who she is and is willing to say the uncomfortable truths out loud.
Entertaining, and felt like reading a podcast.
May 28, 2026
Emma Grede is really a no bullshit, no excuses kinda person. She has her values and way of living/working and she’s not changing them or saying something else to please the crowd. I absolutely loved it and will recommend it to every woman for the foreseeable future if I know myself :)
(As a Swede living in NY, I thought it was fun to get some Swedish perspectives thrown in, and the differences between our culture from South England’s and LA’s, as she’s married to a Swede).
(As a Swede living in NY, I thought it was fun to get some Swedish perspectives thrown in, and the differences between our culture from South England’s and LA’s, as she’s married to a Swede).
June 1, 2026
Picked up this book bc I’m the biggest Skims fan ever and frequently listen to Emma's podcast, which this felt pretty similar to.
I personally admire much of her life/work philosophy but she’s definitely VERY intense. She has lots of controversial opinions on work/life balance that I respect but could see many people disagreeing with. It makes sense though how she reached her level of success. Overall I think she’s iconic. Go Emma!
I personally admire much of her life/work philosophy but she’s definitely VERY intense. She has lots of controversial opinions on work/life balance that I respect but could see many people disagreeing with. It makes sense though how she reached her level of success. Overall I think she’s iconic. Go Emma!
June 6, 2026
I’m struggling to choose a rating for this book. On one hand, Grede is a badass businesswoman who’s accomplished a lot and wants to inspire other female founders - five stars. On the other hand, I was expecting a business and leadership book, but what I got was a memoir + therapising self-help + business book that was very Lean In-ish, meandering (the “thoughts” should have been chapters), and a slog to read.
Grede gives the impression that her way is *the* way to be successful. She says “you're not going to run a team effectively from your bedroom”, ignoring the impact of commuting on the climate crisis, and the fact that many people run teams effectively from their bedroom. I’ve hired, led, doubled my salary, and learned from people all over the world in my bedroom. This is just one example and could be down to differences in our industries, but I fear that people will read this and think they have to be a slave to work and eschew remote working options.
There are some good tips in here but nothing that couldn’t be gotten from solid feminist sources and books by other female C-levels and founders. I like that she challenges the status quo on *some* points. In conclusion, this book may not be so useful for those who are already leaders.
Grede gives the impression that her way is *the* way to be successful. She says “you're not going to run a team effectively from your bedroom”, ignoring the impact of commuting on the climate crisis, and the fact that many people run teams effectively from their bedroom. I’ve hired, led, doubled my salary, and learned from people all over the world in my bedroom. This is just one example and could be down to differences in our industries, but I fear that people will read this and think they have to be a slave to work and eschew remote working options.
There are some good tips in here but nothing that couldn’t be gotten from solid feminist sources and books by other female C-levels and founders. I like that she challenges the status quo on *some* points. In conclusion, this book may not be so useful for those who are already leaders.
May 4, 2026
I think Emma gets a lot of hate for no reason. At the end of the day, she’s giving advice based on what has worked for her in her situation. I found this book super motivating. Defo didn’t agree with everything she said but took what I needed. The main thing this book taught me was how much the connections you make can impact your life trajectory.
April 24, 2026
I think it’s a great book despite some negativity that surrounds it.
I wish I read it 20 years earlier and learned from it, rather than from my mistakes, bruises and pain.
While not everything is applicable to me, Emma reminded me about the power I hold for my life and my future. We truly tend to give it away to bosses, partners, children etc. I highly recommend listening or reading it to all people who feel a bit lost or at the start of something new. Get inspired by starting with yourself!:)
I wish I read it 20 years earlier and learned from it, rather than from my mistakes, bruises and pain.
While not everything is applicable to me, Emma reminded me about the power I hold for my life and my future. We truly tend to give it away to bosses, partners, children etc. I highly recommend listening or reading it to all people who feel a bit lost or at the start of something new. Get inspired by starting with yourself!:)
May 21, 2026
Great life and career lessons for all women and mothers in particular, even if you are not an entrepreneur.
Added value to consume the book as an audiobook, the stories come across even more strongly read by Emma herself.
Added value to consume the book as an audiobook, the stories come across even more strongly read by Emma herself.
May 9, 2026
Emma Grede is blunt, she’s honest and she doesn’t pretend to be anyone she’s not, nor is she scared you won’t like her. She’s deeply comfortable with who she is, and takes constructive criticism like a champ, while not letting public opinion change her core beliefs. I think she’s fantastic.
What a truly inspiring read. Won’t find a better book to listen to on my runs for a good while. 10/10.
What a truly inspiring read. Won’t find a better book to listen to on my runs for a good while. 10/10.
May 14, 2026
Blunt, inspiring, powerful. Grateful to live in an age where women can pursue success and careers to this level ! I have some qualms though, and do fear the glamorization of early 2000s style girl boss era of burnout.
May 26, 2026
super refreshing and honest
May 22, 2026
i honestly loved this. it might not be for everyone, but for me it was a good kick in the ass to get my priories straight and my confidence in check.
April 21, 2026
Fantastic insights and hard facts about what it takes to build a blazing career. I don’t share 100% of all of her views but I appreciate her perspective always and, she told no lies.
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