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Digital Goddess: The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur
With women leading only twenty-four Fortune 500 companies, female founders receiving only 2.2 percent of US venture capital, and the continued presence of sexual harassment and double standards, the gender gap continues to hinder the advancement of women in the professional world. In Digital Goddess , Montgomery-Brown—founder of Big Think, a collection of experts across all fields and disciplines that are either at the top of their field or disrupting it, shares her story in an entertaining and educational light. Told from the unique, female entrepreneurial perspective that unpacks all the hurdles other female founders may face in their own journey to the top, Montgomery-Brown shares the real-world lessons she’s learned along the way, such This book is about dealing with the way things are, even when you don’t like it, and being yourself, even when it seems like a drawback. It’s about sucking it up, making the hard choices, and dealing with the consequences. It’s about being honest no matter what is going down. Victoria’s been called “the anti-Elizabeth Holmes,” for a good reason—unlike the ill-fated Theranos CEO, she’s transparent with her investors even when she fears they will walk away. Digital Goddess is a story for entrepreneurial women at any stage of life who want to know what it actually takes to build a business in a world that’s not always fair, predictable, or politically correct
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2020
6 people are currently reading
1168 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Montgomery Brown
1 book5 followersVictoria Montgomery-Brown is the founding CEO of Big Think, the knowledge company that makes people and companies smarter and faster through short-form video with the world’s best thinkers and doers. Since founding Big Think in 2007, Victoria built the company from a fledgling thought-leadership media platform to the leading knowledge company for ideas and soft skills. Victoria has a BA from McGill University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 22, 2020
Powerful yet compassionate book of advice for women in leadership and business.
Even though it's a fairly short book, it took me a long time to finish it because I wanted to fully absorb the information Montgomery Brown shares. "Digital Goddess" is basically an essential reading about how to be a female leader or professional in the digital age - a time when the gender gap is said to have nearly evaporated compared to the previous century, though it clearly continues to prevent many women from succeeding in the business world. Montgomery Brown outlines various problems a woman would face in the business and leadership settings concerning investment, being the only female at the table, or interpersonal relationships with investors. Not only that, but she also talks about personal issues such as romance when putting all of your cards into your career.
As an aspiring female entrepreneur, I think this book is absolutely packed with advice I'm planning to put into a good use. The word "aspiring" is key here - I can't tell if all the advice is one hundred percent accurate or correct since I don't have this experience. Nonetheless, the author has effectively drawn my attention to lots of aspects of developing my career, and I'm willing to bet money that this is priceless.
*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Even though it's a fairly short book, it took me a long time to finish it because I wanted to fully absorb the information Montgomery Brown shares. "Digital Goddess" is basically an essential reading about how to be a female leader or professional in the digital age - a time when the gender gap is said to have nearly evaporated compared to the previous century, though it clearly continues to prevent many women from succeeding in the business world. Montgomery Brown outlines various problems a woman would face in the business and leadership settings concerning investment, being the only female at the table, or interpersonal relationships with investors. Not only that, but she also talks about personal issues such as romance when putting all of your cards into your career.
As an aspiring female entrepreneur, I think this book is absolutely packed with advice I'm planning to put into a good use. The word "aspiring" is key here - I can't tell if all the advice is one hundred percent accurate or correct since I don't have this experience. Nonetheless, the author has effectively drawn my attention to lots of aspects of developing my career, and I'm willing to bet money that this is priceless.
*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2025
A Must-Read for Aspiring Leaders and Entrepreneurs
I read Digital Goddess by Victoria Montgomery Brown while taking a management course at Harvard Business School for my master’s degree, and it left a lasting impression. Brown’s story of founding Big Think is both raw and inspiring; she doesn’t hide the chaos, the missteps, or the moments of doubt that come with entrepreneurship. Instead, she shows how courage, persistence, and a sense of humor can carry you through when nothing goes according to plan.
What moved me most was her spirit: the tenacity and grounded optimism it takes to turn an idea into a living, breathing company. Brown’s voice is refreshingly real, and her reflections on leadership, risk, and resilience stayed with me long after I closed the book. It’s a reminder that success isn’t linear, and that authenticity, grit, and emotional intelligence are just as essential as strategy or funding.
Highly recommend this to anyone curious about the real inner life of an entrepreneur, especially women navigating leadership on their own terms.
I read Digital Goddess by Victoria Montgomery Brown while taking a management course at Harvard Business School for my master’s degree, and it left a lasting impression. Brown’s story of founding Big Think is both raw and inspiring; she doesn’t hide the chaos, the missteps, or the moments of doubt that come with entrepreneurship. Instead, she shows how courage, persistence, and a sense of humor can carry you through when nothing goes according to plan.
What moved me most was her spirit: the tenacity and grounded optimism it takes to turn an idea into a living, breathing company. Brown’s voice is refreshingly real, and her reflections on leadership, risk, and resilience stayed with me long after I closed the book. It’s a reminder that success isn’t linear, and that authenticity, grit, and emotional intelligence are just as essential as strategy or funding.
Highly recommend this to anyone curious about the real inner life of an entrepreneur, especially women navigating leadership on their own terms.
June 21, 2021
I am convinced that most of us are a bit entrepreneurial but only fractions of people take the leap to become one. Often life events, office politics, poor leadership, service, or a lack of idea acceptance pushes some of us over the edge, and bam! A new entrepreneur jumps into the market.
Imagine you just became a business owner and control your destiny. Now what? An innovative idea or new product is not enough. You need to learn business skills including marketing, accounting, sales, venture capitalism, and be a human resource manager. If you are female, your venture may be even more complicated. The new book Digital Goddess The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur by Victoria Montgomery Brown will lead you on a journey as an entrepreneur in an entertaining and educational manner. Victoria is the founder of Big Think a company that highlights some of the world’s top thinkers, influencers, and industry disrupters.
Victoria’s book quickly pulled me in with her storytelling. Her story as a woman in a competitive male-dominated world where only 24 women lead Fortune 500 companies and remain only 2.2% of US venture capital funding hit home. She highlights sexual harassment, gender gaps, biases, and advancement challenges that women face.
Following are some of my key takeaways. It is critical to remember that Victoria started small but quickly ramped up her company growth. Many of us may never need to raise venture capital or find ourselves in some of the unique situations that Victoria did.
• Never lie to investors, partners, or mentors
• Business is a game and yes, you do need to play
• Power and money resides with men so ladies, we need to accept it and offer our spin to succeed
• Have integrity and the small things do matter
• Own up to your mistakes immediately and accept the consequences. Do not hide anything because it will come back to bite you
• Find mentors, don’t overthink, and turn your fear into an advantage
• People are not always great to work with including clients you may need to drop clients or employees that just are not cutting it. The good comes with the bad
• You knew this one was coming. Be a boss not a bitch. Leaders who nurture are more successful, communication is key, earn respect and don’t just demand it, and BE YOU
• Be authentic, have fun, and be yourself
Digital Goddess is an effective guide to help new budding female entrepreneurs. The book is entertaining and I learned something valuable in each chapter on the journey with Victoria. The book is straightforward and tells you the things you do not like thinking about, do not want to do but need to, and what it takes to be a CEO and control your destiny. There will be hurdles, disappointments; unease, feeling overwhelmed, and times you want to give up when you are an entrepreneur. You HAVE this and Digital Goddess has some of the answers you need to succeed!
Imagine you just became a business owner and control your destiny. Now what? An innovative idea or new product is not enough. You need to learn business skills including marketing, accounting, sales, venture capitalism, and be a human resource manager. If you are female, your venture may be even more complicated. The new book Digital Goddess The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur by Victoria Montgomery Brown will lead you on a journey as an entrepreneur in an entertaining and educational manner. Victoria is the founder of Big Think a company that highlights some of the world’s top thinkers, influencers, and industry disrupters.
Victoria’s book quickly pulled me in with her storytelling. Her story as a woman in a competitive male-dominated world where only 24 women lead Fortune 500 companies and remain only 2.2% of US venture capital funding hit home. She highlights sexual harassment, gender gaps, biases, and advancement challenges that women face.
Following are some of my key takeaways. It is critical to remember that Victoria started small but quickly ramped up her company growth. Many of us may never need to raise venture capital or find ourselves in some of the unique situations that Victoria did.
• Never lie to investors, partners, or mentors
• Business is a game and yes, you do need to play
• Power and money resides with men so ladies, we need to accept it and offer our spin to succeed
• Have integrity and the small things do matter
• Own up to your mistakes immediately and accept the consequences. Do not hide anything because it will come back to bite you
• Find mentors, don’t overthink, and turn your fear into an advantage
• People are not always great to work with including clients you may need to drop clients or employees that just are not cutting it. The good comes with the bad
• You knew this one was coming. Be a boss not a bitch. Leaders who nurture are more successful, communication is key, earn respect and don’t just demand it, and BE YOU
• Be authentic, have fun, and be yourself
Digital Goddess is an effective guide to help new budding female entrepreneurs. The book is entertaining and I learned something valuable in each chapter on the journey with Victoria. The book is straightforward and tells you the things you do not like thinking about, do not want to do but need to, and what it takes to be a CEO and control your destiny. There will be hurdles, disappointments; unease, feeling overwhelmed, and times you want to give up when you are an entrepreneur. You HAVE this and Digital Goddess has some of the answers you need to succeed!
February 4, 2025
Although I’m not an entrepreneur or CEO (I’m a retired NYC public school teacher and a mom), I related whole-heartedly to Victoria Brown’s brutally honest and often funny story and life lessons. She narrates both her incredible accomplishments aimed toward affecting humanity for the better as well as her painful professional and personal setbacks, lending her book tremendous accessibility and relevance for any woman trying to do anything in this world. While her particular niche is “Digital Goddess,” she culls universal themes that resonate with anyone who champions hard work, integrity, carefully considered risk-taking, introspection, and the value of personal and professional relationships.
Victoria shares an especially formative moment when, hoping for an apology from a cruel adversary but not receiving one, she forgives and finds peace on her own terms, affirming the strength and power in empathy and flexibility. She concludes her book with a moving tribute to her late father and a final insight, the Buddhist adage he was so fond of: Grasp and it will surely elude you; open your hands and it just may come.
With Digital Goddess, Victoria Brown created something intelligent, honest and beautiful. I’ve sent all three of my daughters a copy.
Victoria shares an especially formative moment when, hoping for an apology from a cruel adversary but not receiving one, she forgives and finds peace on her own terms, affirming the strength and power in empathy and flexibility. She concludes her book with a moving tribute to her late father and a final insight, the Buddhist adage he was so fond of: Grasp and it will surely elude you; open your hands and it just may come.
With Digital Goddess, Victoria Brown created something intelligent, honest and beautiful. I’ve sent all three of my daughters a copy.
February 9, 2021
I read /Digital Goddess: The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur/, by Victoria Montgomery Brown:
https://www.lionessesofafrica.com/blo...
The book opens with a story that immediately hooked me, but I wasn't quite as hooked for the rest of the book.
Ms. Brown writes about her business journey after Harvard Business School, becoming an entrepreneur with a business partner (Peter), raising $1.4 million in equity from name list investors, and launching Big Think.
Ms. Brown is amazingly open and vulnerable about her experiences both professional and personal. She shares information, business lessons, data, advice, and anecdotes for beginning entrepreneurs, some of which are especially applicable to women.
https://www.lionessesofafrica.com/blo...
The book opens with a story that immediately hooked me, but I wasn't quite as hooked for the rest of the book.
Ms. Brown writes about her business journey after Harvard Business School, becoming an entrepreneur with a business partner (Peter), raising $1.4 million in equity from name list investors, and launching Big Think.
Ms. Brown is amazingly open and vulnerable about her experiences both professional and personal. She shares information, business lessons, data, advice, and anecdotes for beginning entrepreneurs, some of which are especially applicable to women.
June 30, 2021
The author walks you through some lessons she learned while starting a company. With each lesson you hear the stories of how that became a lesson, how she changed, what she learned, how she grew. She tells the stories as if you are sitting and having lunch with her.
The value of the lessons isn't limited to entrepreneurs. Woman in business will either find value in the lessons or give nods of experience because they already went through those potholes.
Women tend to discount some of the aspects of being a woman that allow us to bring something different to the table and the author calls those out.
Well worth the read especially for women entering the business world.
The value of the lessons isn't limited to entrepreneurs. Woman in business will either find value in the lessons or give nods of experience because they already went through those potholes.
Women tend to discount some of the aspects of being a woman that allow us to bring something different to the table and the author calls those out.
Well worth the read especially for women entering the business world.
February 1, 2024
I wanted to like this. The beginning was interesting, although it was a little melodramatic. The author ignored the advice she was getting because she didn't take her situation seriously. A lot of what happened in the book was because of the author, and she takes responsibility for it, but it just seemed that she was a privileged person who graduated from Harvard Business School and then got a lot of other breaks. It wasn't relatable for me.
It was readable, and it's good that she admitted that she was acting the way she was because of stress and started taking medication.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
It was readable, and it's good that she admitted that she was acting the way she was because of stress and started taking medication.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
June 2, 2023
Victoria Montgomery Brown created an impressive enterprise, mission-driven, determined to make people "smarter, faster". Her journey has been full of ups and downs and she talks candidly about all of them in this book.
"Digital Goddess" is a must-read if you seek inspiration and honesty about the joys and difficulties of being a founder.
I wrote more of my impressions, as well as the lessons I took from it, here:
https://shereadsbusiness.com/2023/06/...
"Digital Goddess" is a must-read if you seek inspiration and honesty about the joys and difficulties of being a founder.
I wrote more of my impressions, as well as the lessons I took from it, here:
https://shereadsbusiness.com/2023/06/...
August 24, 2020
Digital Goddess is a book about and for entrepreneurial women. It doesn't matter at what stage of life you are if want to know what it actually takes to build a business, in a world that’s not always fair, predictable, or politically correct. In the world where you are in many cases the only woman in the room or when your words and/or professional skills are not perceived trully. This is a very interesting personal story of a woman entrepreneur.
January 22, 2021
An essential book on leadership. Victoria Montgomery Brown's stories about founding and running a start-up that grows to have over one million viewers are instructive and helpful to anyone who is starting a business. Moreover, her book helps readers understand entrepreneurs among their family and friends. In additional to being important business reading, this book is charming, funny, and forthright. Super enjoyable.
April 23, 2021
"Do you worry that as a strong female CEO you'll intimidate men? Answer: uh, no, but I'm sure it happens. It's just not something for me to worry about. I need to invest most of my energy in my performance as a leader."
The author shares her mistakes, lessons learned, and successes. She talks about living in the world as it is, not how we want it to be. I had some concerns about some of how she defines ethics and values but it's definitely worth a read.
The author shares her mistakes, lessons learned, and successes. She talks about living in the world as it is, not how we want it to be. I had some concerns about some of how she defines ethics and values but it's definitely worth a read.
June 29, 2023
I was expecting something more.... "boringly non-fiction", but in fact this was truly enjoyable. I loved how Victoria told her story very similar to a novel. No completely structurally, but very insightful. It appears to be very real and very honest. Victoria is not afraid to highligh both her flaws and her strenghts. Highly recommend to female entrepreneurs and for those who are interested in leading, regardless of their role.
November 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book even though I am now retired. it is good to see women being honest about themselves in business. I have been in business so it refreshing to read about another women's path. My son is now in business and he could learn a lot too from her. She is honest about the toll being in business can put on your life. Well put together.
January 30, 2024
Victoria hasn't written the normal entrepreneurs autobiography that only talks about the successes and glosses over the failures. She has written the full story in all of its gritty details. I think this book would be useful for anybody starting a company or thinking about starting a company. It is also well written and enjoyable to read.
November 21, 2021
I loved this book. Even though I’m not looking to get VC funding in my small business venture, reading Victoria’s experience was so funny and enlightening. It feels like your real talk big sis telling you how to get started, and how to stay resilient.
March 8, 2021
Integrity is about choosing courage over comfort.
September 25, 2021
Great warts and all tale of the challenges of a female entrepreneur.
It is particularly important that the author shares the personal cost of being an entrepreneur.
It is particularly important that the author shares the personal cost of being an entrepreneur.
January 29, 2024
Even if you don't want to be an entrepreneur, it should be a book all women in business should read! Great insights
May 25, 2021
A tale of courage, savvy, and courage from the co-founder of BigThink.
Ruthlessly honest, funny, and full of lots of lessons learned the hard way. No one who reads this book can walk away not knowing the pitfalls and joys of starting your own start up. From school connections to political connections, business friends and content creators, this book covers it all. Well written, easy to read, this is a must read for those interested in following her footsteps.
Ruthlessly honest, funny, and full of lots of lessons learned the hard way. No one who reads this book can walk away not knowing the pitfalls and joys of starting your own start up. From school connections to political connections, business friends and content creators, this book covers it all. Well written, easy to read, this is a must read for those interested in following her footsteps.
October 8, 2023
Digital Goddess: The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur by Victoria R. Montgomery Brown
231 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Leadership
Release Date: October 6, 2020
Nonfiction, Business, Leadership, Finance, Business Start Up, Empowerment, Self-Help, Mental Illness
The book is divided into the following chapters.
Chapter 1: Never Lie to Your Investors (Even When You Just Got Arrested)
Chapter 2. Who Goes First? Raising Capital Before You Have Any
Chapter 3: Grow a Pair – What It (Really) Takes to Get a Business Off the Ground
Chapter 4: Get Personal: Working with People You Like and Saying Goodbye (Fast) To Those You don’t
Chapter 5: Boss Not B*tch – Notes on Transitioning from Founder to CEO
Chapter 6: Work It – The Advantages of Being the Only Woman in the Room
Chapter 7: Ah, the Romance, The Complicated Dating Life of a Woman in Power
Chapter 8: Your Other Marriage – How Not to Divorce Your Business Partner
Chapter 9: Don’t Panic! Running a Startup without Having a Breakdown
Chapter 10: Trying Harder to be Softer – Finding Joy at Work
The author discusses hiring and firing, taking disciplinary actions and working through issues with partners. She also talks about how you can be feminine and strong at the same time. She receives great advice from mentors which she shares with readers. Her writing style is a no-nonsense style and she shares the good and bad. What can I say about this book? It is a must read for any woman in business, especially in leadership positions.
231 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Leadership
Release Date: October 6, 2020
Nonfiction, Business, Leadership, Finance, Business Start Up, Empowerment, Self-Help, Mental Illness
The book is divided into the following chapters.
Chapter 1: Never Lie to Your Investors (Even When You Just Got Arrested)
Chapter 2. Who Goes First? Raising Capital Before You Have Any
Chapter 3: Grow a Pair – What It (Really) Takes to Get a Business Off the Ground
Chapter 4: Get Personal: Working with People You Like and Saying Goodbye (Fast) To Those You don’t
Chapter 5: Boss Not B*tch – Notes on Transitioning from Founder to CEO
Chapter 6: Work It – The Advantages of Being the Only Woman in the Room
Chapter 7: Ah, the Romance, The Complicated Dating Life of a Woman in Power
Chapter 8: Your Other Marriage – How Not to Divorce Your Business Partner
Chapter 9: Don’t Panic! Running a Startup without Having a Breakdown
Chapter 10: Trying Harder to be Softer – Finding Joy at Work
The author discusses hiring and firing, taking disciplinary actions and working through issues with partners. She also talks about how you can be feminine and strong at the same time. She receives great advice from mentors which she shares with readers. Her writing style is a no-nonsense style and she shares the good and bad. What can I say about this book? It is a must read for any woman in business, especially in leadership positions.
February 16, 2021
In Digital Goddess, Victoria Montgomery-Brown—founder of Big Think—tells stories and gives real-world lessons that will empower women to become female entrepreneurs by jumping over hurdles we all face in the workplace. You'll learn tips on how to get meetings, raise money, and make hard choices—all while being yourself and having fun.
The author had so many great tips in the book. She said, "Here's something major that HBS taught me. You don't need to know how to do things. You need to know how to ask people to do things for you. This is something at which I excel."
I feel like all women are technically entrepreneurs —even if it's not in the workplace—and running our own lives and families, sometimes like an efficient business. So all the tips in this book are super relevant in any context.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/vic...
The author had so many great tips in the book. She said, "Here's something major that HBS taught me. You don't need to know how to do things. You need to know how to ask people to do things for you. This is something at which I excel."
I feel like all women are technically entrepreneurs —even if it's not in the workplace—and running our own lives and families, sometimes like an efficient business. So all the tips in this book are super relevant in any context.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/vic...
September 20, 2020
A Excellent, informative and engaging read. Direct, honest and funny, with great stories to illustrate the author's points.
It reminded me of Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" unvarnished view on restaurants, told with great funny stories. Digital Goddess is the equivalent frank and funny take for Tech/Media startups.
It reminded me of Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" unvarnished view on restaurants, told with great funny stories. Digital Goddess is the equivalent frank and funny take for Tech/Media startups.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews