Girls Who Run the World: Thirty CEOs Who Mean Business

by Diana Kapp, Bijou Karman (Illustrator)

The perfect graduation gift for future entrepreneurs! Part biography, part business how-to, and fully empowering, this book shows that  y ou're never too young to dream BIG!  With colorful portraits, fun interviews and DIY tips, Girls Who Run the World features the success stories of 31 leading ladies today of companies like Rent the Runway, PopSugar, and Soul Cycle.

Girls run biotech companies.
Girls run online fashion sites.
Girls run environmental enterprises.
They are creative. They are inventive. They mean business.
Girls run the world.
This collection gives girls of all ages the tools they need to follow their passions, turn ideas into reality and break barriers in the business world.


Jenn Hyman, Rent the Runway
Sara Blakely, Spanx
Emma Mcilroy, Wildfang
Katrina Lake, Stitch Fix
Natasha Case, Coolhaus
Diane Campbell, The Candy Store
Kara Goldin, Hint Water
Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe
Rachel Haurwitz, Caribou Bioscience
Nina Tandon, EpiBone
Jessica Matthews, Uncharted Power
Jane Chen, Embrace
Emily Núñez Cavness, Sword & Plough
Hannah Lavon, Pals
Leslie Blodgett, Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals
Katia Beauchamp, Birchbox
Emily Weiss, Glossier
Christina Stembel, Farmgirl Flowers
Mariam Naficy, Minted
Maci Peterson, On Second Thought
Stephanie Lampkin, Blendoor
Sarah Leary, Nextdoor
Amber Venz, RewardStyle
Lisa Sugar, Pop Sugar
Beatriz Acevedo, MiTu network
Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, Soul Cycle
Suzy Batiz, Poo-Pourri
Tina Sharkey, Brandless
Jesse Genet, Lumi
Tracy Young, Plan Grid

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Feminism, Biography, Childrens, Fashion, Short Stories

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

My journalism has taken me inside San Quentin prison, and to deepest Afghanistan. I have covered teen suicide clusters in Palo Alto, apps and bots to fight depression, and my dad falling headlong in love at 85. My path to writing has been circuitous. I’ve worked for a senator and a biotech start-up, made ads for Nike, and helped launch women’s sportswear retailer Lucy. I went to Stanford and got an MBA. I’ve lived in Kenya, and the Haight. I love the Sawtooth Mountains, Neil Young, my 5am running club, and climbing mountains. I wish I could play guitar and sing, but I have no talent. I’m a wannabe “rancher.” Check out www.idahorocky.com.

My work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, ELLE, Marie Claire, O the Oprah Magazine, California Sunday Magazine, Sunset, Outside.com. My first book Girls Who Run the World (Random House) published in 2019, and was endorsed by Madeline Albright(!) and featured in Forbes and on NPR’s Marketplace. On April 5th, in time for Earth Day, Girls Who Green the World will come into the world. The book answers Who are the environmental changemakers of this critical moment? I suppose this book started in my childhood. I was raised on Sierra Club trips and forced Sunday hikes, which ultimately worked to make the natural world my true religion. It was my teenage and 20-something kids who made me feel the urgency of the climate crisis. They gave the book the nod, which I consider the highest praise imaginable.

Reviews

[Katie B]

I won a sample copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The regular version of this book includes mini-bios of 30 female CEOS along with some chapters with tips on how to start a business. Given I only received a small portion of the book which featured 4 of the women and a chapter on important business terms, I decided against leaving a rating. However, I did like what I read so I feel comfortable in recommending this book for young girls.

While I'm sure the stories of the female CEOs have the potential to inspire all types of readers, this book is more geared towards girls in the middle school age range. The CEOs chosen come from a wide variety of business fields including Media, Science, Apps/Tech, and Fashion/Apparel. Now some of the companies the women run I was unfamiliar with but there were a few I recognized including Bare Minerals, 23andMe, Spanx, and Nextdoor. Each bio had a brief story on the CEO's path to success along with some fun facts such as their high school GPA. worst subject in school, favorite childhood book, and how often they check their bank statement.

One thing the 4 women I read about had in common was they didn't give up in pursuing their dreams. Sometimes obstacles were in their way but they figured out how to move on. The message to keep believing in yourself is an important one and that's why I think this is a good book to put in the hands of young girls.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for sending me a sample copy!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads giveaway great book! Would recommend for anyone!

[Daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
The teen lingo in this book is way way way too much. Saying things like “cool beans” should be illegal. It pushes more people away than draws them in.
That being said this book IS for well accessible for teens and I would recommend it to any young girl. My favorite part is the end where it gives you an extremely dumbed down version of different business terms and concepts. Really good learning material for even someone my age.

[Nadia P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book, but for me it lacked depth. Two -three pages about a story of women felt too short and failed to make a point.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOS Who Mean Business by Diana Kapp, illustrated by Bijou Karman, 308 pages. NONFICTION. Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House), 2019.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

These biographies each have a mix of first person responses to questions and third person biographies along with one main illustration of the women and mini illustrations along the way. Each biography is around eight pages long.

This is a very powerful exploration of women in power. The anthology is interesting and inspiring. I love that the illustrations of the woman show openness but the women aren’t all smiling and cheery, as women are often asked to be.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Varsha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish. Not the most helpful book in terms of information. However it was inspiring to hear all the different women who own successful businesses.

[Jennifer Risher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I started reading with my daughters in mind but kept reading because I was so inspired and captivated by these stories, which resonate, motivate, educate, and empower. When I finished, I wanted to get out in the world and do something big – because, like these women, I can.

The format made the book engaging and easy to read. Each woman CEO has her own chapter which includes a fabulous illustration and starts with fun facts about her: her first job, a weird thing you’d find on (or in) her desk, her bedtime, her bucket list, her favorite candy, and more. There are great “tips” sprinkled throughout that relate to the story being told and that offer sound, encouraging wisdom. Just reading the tips alone is a confidence boost. The end of the book presents concrete ideas for how to think about starting a business and includes information about a business plan, market size, mission, and finances. All girls—and all women—would benefit from reading this book. It will spark creative thinking and help you feel empowered. The stories are simply entertaining as well.

[melhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, yes they do.

This is a great book for inspiring girls aged 10-15 to become entrepreneurs.

Girls Who Run the World consists of 30 biographies of female CEOs and entrepreneurs with the aim of empowering young girls to strive to achieve success in a similar manner. I really liked that the interview questions also included high school GPA, worst school subject, bedtime, and favourite candy as a way to make these phenomenal women more relatable to kids (you can still be successful even if you suck at math!). This book also offers useful tips on how to start your own business as well as how to overcome common challenges in the world of business.

I was a bit disappointed that all the CEOs were American - it would have been nice to have examples from women from around the world. I also wish the biographies were a bit longer.

tl;dr - Overall, a great collection of biographies to inspire kids and young teens to be innovative and become entrepreneurs.

Side note - one of the businesses listed, Brandless, has recently shutdown...

*** #1 of my 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a YA nonfiction book ***

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business is an anthology of mini-biographies written by Diana Kapp and illustrated by Bijou Karman and pays homage to a collection of thirty-one CEOs of various companies who just happens to be women.

The book is divided into thirteen sections with the thirty-one women sporadically place in each category of the company they lead. The categories are: Fashion/Apparel, Food, Science, Jewelry/Accessories, Makeup, Flowers, Stationery, Apps/Tech, Media, Fitness, Home, Packaging, and Construction.

Kapp seemingly mixes biography and imagery rather well and writes in a straightforward and youthful manner. Each thirty-one entries are well researched and explore and elevate the women in questioned with not biographies, but hints and advice for anyone who want to start a business. Karman's illustrations were wonderfully done and are brings life to the women mentioned and complements and aids the text fairly well.

All in all, Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business is a wonderfully written book and a magnificent collection of mini-biographies of diverse women from all walks of life who are CEOs of their companies and their struggles to become the leading member of their companies.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you thought you had the solution to a big problem but didn't know how to let the world know? This is the story of 31 women who all not only had the solution but figured out how to let the world know about their solutions. Each woman profiled has been the CEO of her own business. They look at all different careers from fashion and makeup to contruction, tech, and even flowers. Each CEO answers a series of question like favorite treat, something odd in her desk, bucket list item, etc and gives a brief overview of her company and how she got it to where it it is. The last chapters cover what is need to become start your own business. A glossary is included to help with explaining some of the more business specific terms. Each chapter has a sketch of the CEO being profiled and useful tips in pink boxes. The CEO's are organized by industry so if you have a particular interest you can quickly find a CEO that speaks to your interest.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women have been encouraged to Lean In, others have Dared to Lead and others prefer to Lean Out. Worthy books all of them, but focused on workforce strategies and women who have already launched. Diana Kapp, a savvy author and commentator who is wired into Silicon and all the valleys you can name, has delivered an inspirational How-To for the Not-There-Yets, the girls who are still dreaming before they can dare, learning before they know which way to lean. Through lively profiles of 30 women who run startups both well known and on their way, Kapp provides real-life experiences that offer practical tips -- as well as avoidable trips -- for girls trying to figure out life goals. The illustrations help make this a fun and accessible read; a graphic tool for a Visual Generation. These CEOs are not just role models -- they are goal models and the vanguard for equality in the C-Suites.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for 9-13 year old girls. Talks about 31 different influential and successful women and their stories about how they got there dropping little tips along the way:

- Hit on nostalgia but also do something new
- Visualize things goin exactly right, do this especially when you're feeling negative
- Lean into the problem, get to know your customers!
- Always ask what you can offer this person when meeting someone new
- Raising money often starts with a relationship, ask for advice before money
- Don't take rejection personally, it's the idea not you
- There is an element of suspending disbelief and going on the journey and figuring things out
- What are things that make you anxious? (posting online? Podcasting? Interviewing?) Now do them.

Then ends with a glossary of definitions. Very introductory but would recommend to my younger, girl cousins :)

[Carol McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!! The variety of women they showcase is incredible, the super girls in their fields from packaging and flowers to construction and stationary. Many of these women are CEOs of companies you've probably heard of, and now you can know the name behind the success. From Emily Weiss at Glossier and Stephanie Lampkin at Blendoor, you are sure to learn so much about businesses and women you might already know or are just hearing about.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the ending, because it's packed with amazing information about how to start a business, what an elevator pitch is, many stories of young girl entrepreneurs and lots more.

Amazing book and totally recommend it for girls 9 and up. Easy to understand and packed with information. Great book!

[Divya8720 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for any female wanting to pursue a career in business or anyone who wants motivation to work for whatever they want to achieve. I, personally, am not going into the business world, yet I loved this book so, so, so much because it not only motivated me to work harder but also made me feel so much happier to see all the women empowerment and feminism. Also, there was SO much advice from very successful female CEOs, so I think that was very helpful for anyone wanting to start a business. Also, it was very cool to get an insight into everyone's businesses and learn about their stories. I don't usually read these kinds of books, but this is definitely one of my favorites now :)

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved hearing the stories behind these brands - some I had never heard of before. It made me determined to help support them. (For example, buying Hint water instead of Vitamin water on the rare occasions when I buy bottled water.) I liked that they were open about their grades in school and the challenges they faced in their business endeavors; how they failed and what they did to overcome those failures and not let those things stop them. What saddened me most was the lack of black women who have been able to make it to the top. We need to do better to support our black female students and empower them, encourage them, and help them succeed.

[KelceyTheLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my 2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A fiction or nonfiction book about a world leader

A great book full of mini biographies about women CEOs who are rocking the business world. I am sad to admit that I didn't know many of these women's names or companies before starting this book, but I learned so much. Each story is just enough that you learn about the CEO and the company, but don't get too bogged down in the details. The variety of industries covered means there are stories and subjects to appeal to everyone! At the end, there are some very helpful tips and tricks for getting started in business, broken into steps that can be followed with real life examples.

[Prabhleen Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book at a conference I attended at Stanford University. I am currently reading it as a high schooler and it has inspired me to work hard and achieve my goals. This book traces through the lives and experiences of many female entrepreneurs who are changing the world through their own businesses. Their success stories are truly motivating and interesting. I would recommend this book to everyone as it provides the tools one needs to succeed in life and in creating a business. The book also has fun facts about all the women CEOs!

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Girls Who Run the World” by Diana Kapp is about 31 hardworking CEOs. This book talks about how they first started and some fun facts about themselves. The book also talks about the journey and all the struggles they went through pursuing their dreams. These CEOs are very encouraging because it shows that no matter how much people try to stop you or get in the way of your dreams , keep going. I would recommend this to all girls and women that are interested in making a company.

[Riva B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing it inspired me to be my self and go out in the world. This book tells you about 31 WOMEN CEO’s who literally run the world. This book was a gift from my mom and I love to read about people who have been through some speed bumps, but come back to an awesome finish. If you are reading this review I highly recommend girls who run the world. Thank you for taking time out of your day and read this review.

[Shannon]

This wasn't geared towards me, but it wasn't the best book. I think the writer was trying to appeal to teens, but spoke to them like they were 8 years old.

Also, the CEOs they discussed were women, not girls. There are girls doing incredible things that run the world, but this book was about grown women.

The case studies didn't appeal to me, I'd have personally liked to see more STEM representation.

Well intended book, poor execution, and got on my nerves.

[Elisabeth Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational book that highlights the successes and lessons learned of 31 women who have overcome barriers and adversity to become CEOs of some of the hottest companies in the US. The book shared tips, insights, and dos and donts of entrepreneurship to promote others to chase their passions, make their dreams a reality, and break barriers for the better. Excellent read for the future entrepreneurs (and women everywhere)!

[BookNerdBetty · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I won this book as a giveaway*

If I had a young girl, I would absolutely give this book her! I will be handing it over to a friend with a 13-year-old.
I own a small business and felt inspired by these women. I now have a lot of googling to do on these fabulous ladies and a lot to learn.

Thank you Good Reds and Diana Kapp for the Giveaway!

[Monica Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written for middle school girls, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I recommend this book to all women. Hearing the stories of these amazing female CEOs and their "tips" for success was very inspiring. I found out about the book from a Podcast - Line of Sight where they interview the author, Diana Kapp. I couldn't put the book down. I want my daughters to read it too.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really LOVE this book! The profiles are concise but still packed with so much interesting information. The 31 women Kapp chose to include are absolutely amazing, and I hadn't heard of many of them prior to reading this book. It's really refreshing to read about a diverse group of women who are changing the world in such a positive way.

[Nour Hariri]

This book is mainly about fashion. This book is about 30 amazing woman who use a lot of brainstorming. This book is mainly for adults, who like clothes, style/fashion, and food/candy. Diana Kapp, who was inspired by these woman, writes a time in each of the 30 CEOs that think are worth sharing. This book explains a lot of brainstorming.

[ReadWithRev Revati Umak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read

You will learn a lot about the start-up world if you are not from business background. For someone like who already has a business degree, this was no new knowledge. Almost all stories are from United States; even the authorities mentioned are from US - therefore couldn’t release much there. Overall a average read.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a shortened version of this book here on Goodreads. It includes four women and some tips at the back. I like the format: simple answered questions by the female CEOs, the businesses they ran, and struggles that they faced, along with advice on how to overcome them. Definitely recommended for you girls and women trying to make it in the world.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, easy to read and inspiring for people of all ages but especially young women and girls who can see they can “run the world” and learn/be inspired by the 31 female CEOs who’ve succeeded in doing so.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spanx, Stitch Fix, Hint, 23andMe, Popsugar and many more companies were started by women from around the world. Find out how these ladies got started in their businesses and get inspired to start your own!

Reviewer 5

[Ctazelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written for a younger audience, which makes it the most approachable business book I've read. I enjoyed reading about the CEOs and their businesses (and discovered a couple great businesses I was not familiar with).