Girlboss is finally available on Netflix and it's had mix reviews. Based on the New York Times bestseller autobiography #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso, Girlboss outlines the story of her self-made success as founder of Nasty Gal Vintage, a company that auctioned off vintage clothing on the internet.
Sophia is played by Britt Robertson (you'll remember her from Life Unexpected and Tomorrowland), a 23-year-old free-spirit who bounces through dead-end jobs in San Francisco back in 2006 before finding her calling in e-commerce. If you loved Sex and the City or Gossip Girl you'll love this show.
Here are a couple of key themes portrayed in the Girlboss that us working girls can identify with when watching the show.
"I just need to figure out a way of growing up without becoming a boring adult."
This isn't just another rag to riches story. Sophia is unapologetically fierce and determined but she's also not what society would expect as a mature leader of a company. The freedom to be who we are, whether or not that fits the norm, has always been an issue for women. Gender roles have evolved and we're making some great improvements, but, society still has lingering beliefs about what qualities are expected from us.
Why do we have an expectation for women to look pleasant, be subdued and smiley in nature. We just don't feel that way. Especially in business.
"Okay. Go ahead. Underestimate me. It's just what I want. I feeeeeeeed off that shit."
Sophia doesn't fit the mould and people are constantly underestimating her. In episode two, Jim Rash tries belittling her and is adamant that she doesn't have what it takes to be a business owner.
Women, myself included, are faced with subtle aggression and/or passive-aggressive behaviour in the workplace. Communicating confidently in a business setting can be challenging when our voices are drowned out or ignored. Regardless of who you are and what your position is, you should always expect others to treat you with respect and recognise you as a professional and most importantly an equal.
The rise of the Girlboss movement
The girlboss and bossbabe movement has become a social media sensation generating millions of mentions across various social platforms.
Millennials are most definitely budding entrepreneurs. A survey published by Forbes found that 13% of millennials said their career goal involves climbing the corporate ladder to become a CEO or president, while 67% said their goal involves starting their own business.
It's encouraging to see a growth of ambitious women who aren't afraid to be bold and strive for their goals.
Final thoughts
Sophia is an inspiration to all of us because she speaks to all young women who want to live their lives the way that they want to. It also challenges the notion that company founders need to be male, and that workplaces can't be feminist. Society as a whole has a responsibility and role to play in cultivating the next generation of women leaders.
This blog was first published on Millennialgirlclub.com