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I'm Not Really a Waitress: How One Woman Took Over the Beauty Industry One Color at a Time
Inspiring women to pursue their own colorful dreams, I'm Not Really a Waitress tells the story of how Suzi Weiss-Fischmann transformed a small dental supply company into a #1 beauty brand around the world Today, OPI is known as a global beauty brand, famous for its trend-setting colors, unforgettable shade names, and celebrity collaborations with the biggest stars from film, television, music, and sports. But behind all the glamour is the little-known tale of OPI's unlikely origins-an intimate and inspiring story of a timid schoolgirl who arrives in this country with little money and no English and becomes the business leader and industry game-changer known worldwide as "Suzi, the First Lady of Nails." In I'm Not Really a Waitress--titled after OPI's top-selling nail color--Suzi reveals the events that led her family to flee Communist Hungary and eventually come to New York City in pursuit of the American dream. She shares how those early experiences gave rise to OPI's revolutionary vision of freedom and empowerment, and how Suzi transformed an industry by celebrating the power of color-and of women themselves.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2019
46 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 18, 2019
Listened to on audible. I was drawn to this book based on the author’s interesting backstory and my general interest in business memoirs by women. This book was really difficult and boring to listen to for the following reasons:
1) lack of cohesive storyline. The book briefly starts out chronologically, but then jumps to so many different moments in time spanning thirty years. Difficult to follow as a reader.
2) the author talks a lot about herself, her personality traits and everything she accomplished at OPI. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your work, but it really makes for a boring book. “I don’t get intimidated.” “I work hard and make sacrifices” are the types of statements she would use but then do very little to provide any evidence so to speak to back them up. There were not a lot of interesting stories in the book, more so there is reciting what she did or how she perceived herself and then a lackluster attempt to provide a reason for why that’s true.
3) it really felt like the sole purpose of the book was an opportunity to list out all of the accomplishments of OPI and herself, I.e. marketing materials. This didn’t feel like an amazing profile of a woman in business because there wasn’t much meat to the bones of her story. Such a shame as well, as I am sure the book could have taken a much different more readable and interesting direction.
I really would not recommend this book. It’s just plainly boring.
1) lack of cohesive storyline. The book briefly starts out chronologically, but then jumps to so many different moments in time spanning thirty years. Difficult to follow as a reader.
2) the author talks a lot about herself, her personality traits and everything she accomplished at OPI. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your work, but it really makes for a boring book. “I don’t get intimidated.” “I work hard and make sacrifices” are the types of statements she would use but then do very little to provide any evidence so to speak to back them up. There were not a lot of interesting stories in the book, more so there is reciting what she did or how she perceived herself and then a lackluster attempt to provide a reason for why that’s true.
3) it really felt like the sole purpose of the book was an opportunity to list out all of the accomplishments of OPI and herself, I.e. marketing materials. This didn’t feel like an amazing profile of a woman in business because there wasn’t much meat to the bones of her story. Such a shame as well, as I am sure the book could have taken a much different more readable and interesting direction.
I really would not recommend this book. It’s just plainly boring.
December 11, 2019
Wow. This is one of those books that inspires... I also want to paint my finger nails..... Thank you Suzy for sharing your story and adventures....
January 21, 2020
We follow Suzi as she escapes her country and makes her way to new york. To building OPI nail polish then branching out to OPI lipsticks and other beauty products. Seeing the struggle and difficulty of a growing company with thousands of employees, hundreds of stores carrying OPI and finally her journey to selling OPI.
Im not a fashionista by any means but i do love having my nails done. Following her story was not only touching but inspirational.
Im not a fashionista by any means but i do love having my nails done. Following her story was not only touching but inspirational.
November 18, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Perseus Books for an advance read of this title. I'm very interested in all things beauty, and I love OPI polish. As a matter of fact, I currently have on Samoan Sand. This book could be for a myriad of readers: beauty enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and biography enthusiasts. It's almost broken into sections where this is evident. I would have loved to see more background on stories behind the polish, fun facts, etc. But, the author gives good advice, her story is very interesting and I LOVED the parts about OPI and the early days, how some shade names came to existence. I highly recommend this book.
September 12, 2022
Definitely a 3.5! Super interesting story but felt like it skimmed the surface of what it could’ve been. (And yes, I’ve already added a trillion shades of nail polish to my cart)
April 19, 2023
Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! It would be awesome to have Suzi speak at our JCC book festival. What a talented, smart, wise individual. And to top it off this company started as one of my favorite topics, dentistry. And our common Hungarian roots!
September 9, 2019
I loved reading about Suzi's life! It gave me a whole new appreciation for what she and George created and how far they took it. In an era where female empowerment is so important, Suzi's story is a fantastic example of a driven, intelligent, badass woman who pushed through fear and uncertainty for something that she believed in.
I enjoyed learning about her childhood and the sacrifices made by her family to create a better life for themselves. Then I enjoyed being taken through the OPI journey, from its humble beginnings in dental supplies to the empire it is today. I now have a real respect for the brand and the book has definitely made me want to add to my OPI collection.
I enjoyed learning about her childhood and the sacrifices made by her family to create a better life for themselves. Then I enjoyed being taken through the OPI journey, from its humble beginnings in dental supplies to the empire it is today. I now have a real respect for the brand and the book has definitely made me want to add to my OPI collection.
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September 7, 2022I want to say this book is poorly written, until I remember it's written by an immigrant refugee for whom English is her THIRD language. Her story is incredible and there are some really interesting tidbits if you're a fan of OPI. That said, the whole book seemed like a brag and didn't offer any unique business guidance.
March 12, 2020
I loved this book! I knew nothing about OPI apart from their fun color names. What a story it is! A company founded by two immigrants from Hungary. Suzy Weiss Fischmann tells the story of her life and how she’s lived it. I was very impressed by her, not just what she built, but just who she is. A very fun read!
March 20, 2019
This book was amazing. So inspiring. I wish I had had the opportunity to read this when I was in business school. Suzi is not only someone we all can look up to as an incredibly successful businessperson but someone that is so relatable! She takes obstacle thrown at her and doesn’t dwell on them but uses them as a tool to improve and better herself. Her innate sense of giving back to the community and charity work was also so incredible. I just loved everything about this book. Going on my favorites shelf for sure.
January 22, 2020
A very interesting ghostwritten autobiography about the co-founder of OPI. Both her early life and the early years of the company are thoroughly riveting stories. I was less impressed by the last few chapters where she hands down sage advice and fakes humility a lot, but that's pretty much to be expected from a successful CEO type writing a memoir. Lots of cool tidbits about the history of nail polish in the beauty industry, and lots of compelling detail about how her Jewish faith and culture inform and guide her decisions.
June 24, 2019
If you wear OPI nail lacquer (and I know you do), or if you like books about human connection, consumerism, families, women's empowerment, or immigrant success stories, you have to check out this book! I finished it in 2 days. The OPI story is so much deeper than I ever could have imagined. It's a fast and fun read and totally worth your time.
September 12, 2019
I absolutely loved learning about Suzi’s childhood and hardships and how she creates OPI nail polish. Intriguing and fascinating to know how the craze was started and who was behind it! Definitely a favorite !
June 29, 2024
First half of the book was so interesting on the background of the author and how OPI became a household name. The second half was a lot of rah-rah and seemed to lack direction.
October 26, 2025
Fun to read about Suzy the queen of OPI!! Always wondered why so many nail polishes had Suzis name in them.
January 3, 2020
One of my passions in recent years is nail polish. So when I heard that the founder of OPI had written a memoir, of course I had to check it out! I don't own or wear a ton of their polishes, but I enjoyed reading about the origin and rise of what is now the world's top nail brand. It was pretty superficial in scope and style (sort of a "with hard work and perseverance, you too can become a nail mogul!" kind of voice), but the light approach did make for a (thankfully) quick read.
April 16, 2020
I'm going to give this a 3.5 - it was good, but not great. This was mostly about building the OPI business, with little snipits into Suzi's past coming to the United States and how everything got started. I enjoyed the more personal aspects of the story and as a newer OPI fan (honestly a nail polish addict and only really gotten in to OPI the last couple of years), I was surprised how long they've been in production and it honestly makes me want to try a polish shade from the original 1989 line - I think they mentioned 3 are still being made.
I also finally got the answer to who gets to name the polishes, and seriously if I could go to a naming meeting with a theme, it would be amazing - I'm witty and hilarious, so I could fit right in at picking out clever names.
Where it fell a little flat for me was it jumped around a fair bit and also, some of the business advice was a little dry to me - I mean I appreciate that they seem like a great company and that she genuinely cared about the employees. It was basically a story about starting with nothing a working all day everyday for years to be innovative and become a standout in the industry - a true tale of the "american dream" if you like that business advice!
I also finally got the answer to who gets to name the polishes, and seriously if I could go to a naming meeting with a theme, it would be amazing - I'm witty and hilarious, so I could fit right in at picking out clever names.
Where it fell a little flat for me was it jumped around a fair bit and also, some of the business advice was a little dry to me - I mean I appreciate that they seem like a great company and that she genuinely cared about the employees. It was basically a story about starting with nothing a working all day everyday for years to be innovative and become a standout in the industry - a true tale of the "american dream" if you like that business advice!
December 29, 2018
I'm Not Really a Waitress is part auto-biography, part business advice book from one of the founders of OPI.
Suzi traces her childhood in Hungary to Israel and eventually to New York City. After working with her brother in law in the garment industry in NYC, they eventually travel west to California. There they run a dental supply company before finding their way into the nail and eventually nail polish industry.
Their story of an immigrant family creating a beauty empire was very interesting. My one fault with the book is that the author attributes essentially all of the color development, and much of the naming, to herself. With a team of 700 people, it would seem that at least some of that development should be attributed to those working in the R&D labs, turning her color ideas into reality. There is a lot of "I" in this book.
I received an advanced copy of this via Net Galley.
Suzi traces her childhood in Hungary to Israel and eventually to New York City. After working with her brother in law in the garment industry in NYC, they eventually travel west to California. There they run a dental supply company before finding their way into the nail and eventually nail polish industry.
Their story of an immigrant family creating a beauty empire was very interesting. My one fault with the book is that the author attributes essentially all of the color development, and much of the naming, to herself. With a team of 700 people, it would seem that at least some of that development should be attributed to those working in the R&D labs, turning her color ideas into reality. There is a lot of "I" in this book.
I received an advanced copy of this via Net Galley.
May 18, 2019
It was an interesting book and a nice testament to the "hard work and passion pays off" trope.
The book was to a point inspirational--Suzi's story is quite compelling. But it was repetitive, there were times when I felt I had read the same passage twice.
It also felt a little self-serving. The book begins with a cute story of Suzi and her business partner, George, meeting with a PR firm and Suzi not knowing what PR was. Clearly she learned that lesson. This book skims the struggles and lumps things as "worth the work" in a very Machiavellian way--it is pure OPI and Suzi PR.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, but it could have been done better.
The book was to a point inspirational--Suzi's story is quite compelling. But it was repetitive, there were times when I felt I had read the same passage twice.
It also felt a little self-serving. The book begins with a cute story of Suzi and her business partner, George, meeting with a PR firm and Suzi not knowing what PR was. Clearly she learned that lesson. This book skims the struggles and lumps things as "worth the work" in a very Machiavellian way--it is pure OPI and Suzi PR.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, but it could have been done better.
January 22, 2020
Suzi Weiss-Fischmann's autobiography is uplifting and interesting, her account of the undeniable success of the OPI brand is riveting, and she clearly wants to help readers achieve their own success by offering tips and advice in our postmodern world.
I would classify this as feminist, if her claim to fame weren't nail polish. I love the glimpses she gives of the grit and elán of her Hungarian Holocaust surviving parents, and her own willful determination to succeed, achieve and triumph. You don't have to be a fan of cosmetics to admire Suzi's Weiss-Fischmann's accomplishments and drive. Fun book, even if you're not that into risking fungal infection, nailbed damage, and dehydration.
I would classify this as feminist, if her claim to fame weren't nail polish. I love the glimpses she gives of the grit and elán of her Hungarian Holocaust surviving parents, and her own willful determination to succeed, achieve and triumph. You don't have to be a fan of cosmetics to admire Suzi's Weiss-Fischmann's accomplishments and drive. Fun book, even if you're not that into risking fungal infection, nailbed damage, and dehydration.
May 13, 2019
Yawn. I love OPI and was interested in how the company got started and the fact that the founder (author) was a refugee from the Soviet block. However this is mostly a laundry list of tell and not show. The personal stories are few and far between. And most of stories even of how Suzi and her family fled from the Secret Police were sterile and told with very few details or personal reflection. If this hadn't been such a fast read I would have put it down and never picked it up again.
January 18, 2021
I'm so glad I started the year with such an inspiring book. Suzi shared so many nuggets of knowledge and is fulfilling her goal of passing on her infinite knowledge to the next generation.
Favorite quotes:
"This is one of the many reasons it's so important for women to be in leadership positions in business. Women's perspectives are invaluale, especially in industries that largely cater to female consumers, such as beauty. We instinctively know what women want, how to connect with them, and how to keep connecting with them."
"People can see through inauthenticity in a heartbeat, and the minute they do, you've lost your opportunity. On the other hand, authenticity endorses your product all on its own, and high-energy enthusiasm is contagious."
"My husband and I never let anything fester. We were so busy that if we'd let even the smallest thing slide, the odds were extremely likely that it would never get resolved, and with enough old resentments accumulated, the relationship would not have lasted. So, even if it's a lunch or a coffee date, find time for your partner, and keep communication open."
"In the end, I was quite okay with not being Parent Volunteer of the Year. I was far more useful - to my family at home as well as my family at OPI - at the office."
"Children learn from the example of seeing their parents pursue their dreams and follow their life's passions, and they flourish with parents who are authentic, contented, and happy. A life of personal and professional fulfillment, of passion and creativity, and of using your resources to give back - this is the kind of life we want for our children, is it not?"
"Today, I think we are at an amazing point in time for female business leaders. Do we still have work to do? Absolutely. But today, women have more opportunities than ever before to launch, build, and lead businesses. We possess inherent skills and natural abilities that the business world values."
Favorite quotes:
"This is one of the many reasons it's so important for women to be in leadership positions in business. Women's perspectives are invaluale, especially in industries that largely cater to female consumers, such as beauty. We instinctively know what women want, how to connect with them, and how to keep connecting with them."
"People can see through inauthenticity in a heartbeat, and the minute they do, you've lost your opportunity. On the other hand, authenticity endorses your product all on its own, and high-energy enthusiasm is contagious."
"My husband and I never let anything fester. We were so busy that if we'd let even the smallest thing slide, the odds were extremely likely that it would never get resolved, and with enough old resentments accumulated, the relationship would not have lasted. So, even if it's a lunch or a coffee date, find time for your partner, and keep communication open."
"In the end, I was quite okay with not being Parent Volunteer of the Year. I was far more useful - to my family at home as well as my family at OPI - at the office."
"Children learn from the example of seeing their parents pursue their dreams and follow their life's passions, and they flourish with parents who are authentic, contented, and happy. A life of personal and professional fulfillment, of passion and creativity, and of using your resources to give back - this is the kind of life we want for our children, is it not?"
"Today, I think we are at an amazing point in time for female business leaders. Do we still have work to do? Absolutely. But today, women have more opportunities than ever before to launch, build, and lead businesses. We possess inherent skills and natural abilities that the business world values."
March 10, 2019
I liked the description of this book and therefore requested it from Netgalley.
Suzi Weiss-Fischmann transforms a dental supply company into a renowned cosmetic company -OPI.
One of my favorite OPI colors is Cayenne Pepper, sadly it is no longer made. I found the section concerning name colors quite interesting. I enjoy the unique names of their colors but I truly believe the name coloring and actual development should be credited to the R & D staff. Even if she named them, they brought it to the finish line. I found her story very interesting. I learned a lot about her and her upbringing.
I really enjoy this story. It reinforces that you can do anything if you put your mind into it. I liked the description of this book and therefore requested it from Netgalley.
Suzi Weiss-Fischmann transforms a dental supply company into a renowned cosmetic company -OPI.
One of my favorite OPI colors is Cayenne Pepper, sadly it is no longer made. I found the section concerning name colors quite interesting. I enjoy the unique names of their colors but I truly believe the name coloring and actual development should be credited to the R & D staff. Even if she named them, they brought it to the finish line. I found her story very interesting. I learned a lot about her and her upbringing.
I really enjoy this story. It reinforces that you can do anything if you put your mind into it.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by Perseus Books, Da Capo Press,and Seal Press and Netgalley. These are my unsolicited opinions.
Suzi Weiss-Fischmann transforms a dental supply company into a renowned cosmetic company -OPI.
One of my favorite OPI colors is Cayenne Pepper, sadly it is no longer made. I found the section concerning name colors quite interesting. I enjoy the unique names of their colors but I truly believe the name coloring and actual development should be credited to the R & D staff. Even if she named them, they brought it to the finish line. I found her story very interesting. I learned a lot about her and her upbringing.
I really enjoy this story. It reinforces that you can do anything if you put your mind into it. I liked the description of this book and therefore requested it from Netgalley.
Suzi Weiss-Fischmann transforms a dental supply company into a renowned cosmetic company -OPI.
One of my favorite OPI colors is Cayenne Pepper, sadly it is no longer made. I found the section concerning name colors quite interesting. I enjoy the unique names of their colors but I truly believe the name coloring and actual development should be credited to the R & D staff. Even if she named them, they brought it to the finish line. I found her story very interesting. I learned a lot about her and her upbringing.
I really enjoy this story. It reinforces that you can do anything if you put your mind into it.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by Perseus Books, Da Capo Press,and Seal Press and Netgalley. These are my unsolicited opinions.
March 6, 2019
This is not at all my usual read- a business memoir? I can't even think of the last one I read. Memoirs, yes, usually by my favorite actors or comedians, but not so much by my favorite business owners. I don't have any favorite business owners.
BUT, I do love the I'm Not Really a Waitress nail color, and have for years. So when this showed up in my Libro.FM bookseller listener copies (I do have access to free audiobooks, ya'll, and yes it is awesome), I thought maybe I'd finally get the answer to what the meaning behind my favorite red color nail polish was.
I ended up getting a lot more than that. Suzi's story- of growing up in fear in communist Hungary, to her family's escape to Israel and eventually to America, is inspiring. Her drive to succeed and her vision that helped shape the nail polish industry is just awesome (as in awe-some).
And I discovered the meaning behind I'm Not Really a Waitress. ;)
Suzi only reads the intro, but the narrator does a great job of capturing Suzi's passion and enthusiasm.
BUT, I do love the I'm Not Really a Waitress nail color, and have for years. So when this showed up in my Libro.FM bookseller listener copies (I do have access to free audiobooks, ya'll, and yes it is awesome), I thought maybe I'd finally get the answer to what the meaning behind my favorite red color nail polish was.
I ended up getting a lot more than that. Suzi's story- of growing up in fear in communist Hungary, to her family's escape to Israel and eventually to America, is inspiring. Her drive to succeed and her vision that helped shape the nail polish industry is just awesome (as in awe-some).
And I discovered the meaning behind I'm Not Really a Waitress. ;)
Suzi only reads the intro, but the narrator does a great job of capturing Suzi's passion and enthusiasm.
December 28, 2025
OPI!
Much more interesting than I thought it would be. This is more than a book about the birth of a company… the creation of this brand is the reason you see vibrant nails around the globe today. If it wasn’t for OPI, would we still all be sporting pink, orange and red nails? Even those not interested in nail colour are probably well aware of the blues, purples, blacks and sparkles adorned the nails of women around them. A growing number of men too. Best story: before the brand was world famous, the founder/author was staying at a resort, and happened to be wearing an OPI jacket. When word got out the founder was present, she was swarmed by women across the spectrum, from elite guests to maids, crazy to meet her. The men were baffled. Definitely recommended.
Much more interesting than I thought it would be. This is more than a book about the birth of a company… the creation of this brand is the reason you see vibrant nails around the globe today. If it wasn’t for OPI, would we still all be sporting pink, orange and red nails? Even those not interested in nail colour are probably well aware of the blues, purples, blacks and sparkles adorned the nails of women around them. A growing number of men too. Best story: before the brand was world famous, the founder/author was staying at a resort, and happened to be wearing an OPI jacket. When word got out the founder was present, she was swarmed by women across the spectrum, from elite guests to maids, crazy to meet her. The men were baffled. Definitely recommended.
November 11, 2019
Okay this was fascinating. Suzi is the daughter of Auschwitz survivors and her family escaped communist Hungary and eventually emigrated to the USA. OPI started as a dental product business her brother in law bought...and then through some providence and creative business decisions eventually morphed into a nail lacquer company despite her not knowing anything about that at the time. Then tells the story of how OPI came to be a disrupter in the beauty/fashion industry - a fun/fascinating read if you are interested in nails/beauty, female entrepreneurs, or just an interesting memoir! She's an observant Jew so some of her faith comes through too which was cool to hear.
February 21, 2024
As a female business owner in a male dominated industry - I LOVED EVERYTHING about this book!! Suzi's story is so inspiring! The way she though out of the box to partner with Coke, car brands, movies & TV shows - etc..... - - LOVE IT!! She talks about pivoting when things aren't going right - and not giving up if you hit a roadblock - just a truly inspiring story of a successful company! How sad she was when she sold - like selling her baby she helped grow up - I know that's how I'm going to feel when I sell my business. Suzi is a true Female Powerhouse! Made me want to go buy all the colors she talked about in this book - - and only use OPI going forward :)
January 19, 2019
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher Perseus Books, Da Capo Press. Thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review.
Ms. Weiss-Fischmann has written a book that engages, whether you'really main interest is the author and her story or how she created one of the biggest brands in beauty. Her humble beginnings in communist Hungary to the friendship with her brother in law which lead her to where she is today is an affirmation that anything is possible if you work long enough and hard enough.
Highly recommended.
Ms. Weiss-Fischmann has written a book that engages, whether you'really main interest is the author and her story or how she created one of the biggest brands in beauty. Her humble beginnings in communist Hungary to the friendship with her brother in law which lead her to where she is today is an affirmation that anything is possible if you work long enough and hard enough.
Highly recommended.
August 21, 2019
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I love OPI nail colors. The early part of the story, how Suzi and her family fled Hungary, how OPI came to be a leader in the nail industry and how her family helped her, was interesting and what I wanted to learn. About halfway thru the book, it started to get boring and timelines were blurred. I struggled to finish this book. I thought of stopping but I kept hoping it would get better. Each chapter of the book is named after an OPI nail color. The title is their most popular color.
April 22, 2024
I love OPI and it is well known in my circle that I should have shares in the company, given my personal collection rivals most nail salons…. HOWEVER, this book did not deliver.
Something didn’t feel authentic about the way it was written. It was extremely repetitive (fairly sure it could have been covered in a third of the pages). I’m not even going to address the poor writing. It was a quick read but it still felt like one of those 5 hour meetings that should have been an email with 8 dot points.
Unfortunately, it grossly missed the mark.
Something didn’t feel authentic about the way it was written. It was extremely repetitive (fairly sure it could have been covered in a third of the pages). I’m not even going to address the poor writing. It was a quick read but it still felt like one of those 5 hour meetings that should have been an email with 8 dot points.
Unfortunately, it grossly missed the mark.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews