Sophia Amoruso

At age 22 while working as a security guard at San Francisco's Academy of Art University,[14] Amoruso opened an online eBay store, which she called Nasty Gal Vintage, named after the 1975 album by funk singer and style icon Betty Davis.[11][15] The store consisted of used vintage clothing and other items. The first item she sold was a book she had stolen as a teenager.[12] She styled, photographed, captioned, and shipped the products herself using what she was taught in a photography class.[15]

Amoruso began her business working out of her bedroom. In 2006, her eBay store Nasty Gal Vintage grew considerably, turning into a 1 million dollar yearly revenue business after 6 years and continuing to grow.[16] Amoruso claims to have been banned from eBay in 2008 for posting hyperlinks in feedback to customers. Following this, she launched Nasty Gal as its own retail website,[17] continuing to grow the business as a stand-alone online store. She has previously stated that she left voluntarily because of the rules preventing sellers from leaving negative feedback for customers.[18] Amoruso was also accused of artificially inflating bids, which she has denied.[19]

Nasty Gal developed an online following of young women on social media. It quickly grew with revenues increasing from $223,000 in 2008 to almost $23 million in 2011.[2] At the peak of Nasty Gal, it was pulling in 100 million in annual sales, with over 200 employees.[20] The New York Times has called her "a Cinderella of tech".[15] In 2013, Inc. Magazine named her to its 30 under 30 list.[21] Also, in 2013, Business Insider named Sophia Amoruso one of the sexiest CEOs alive.[22]

In 2014, Amoruso's autobiography #GIRLBOSS was published by Portfolio, a Penguin imprint that specializes in books about business.[23][24] In 2016, it was announced that Netflix would be adapting her autobiography into a television series called Girlboss.[25] Amoruso confirms most of the show was accurate to her life. It was cancelled after one season, as it got a sour response from viewers, saying it was a call to millennial narcissists.[26][27]

In an interview with Dan Schawbel of Forbes, Amoruso admitted that she was unprepared for the demands of being a CEO, having had no previous leadership experience, and advised that people seeking to launch a business first gain managerial experience at established companies.[28]

On January 12, 2015, Amoruso announced she was stepping down as CEO of Nasty Gal, knowing the company could not continue under the current leadership.[29] In November 2016, the company was reported to be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with Amoruso resigning as executive chairwoman.[30] The reason for this bankruptcy can be pointed to leadership changes, a "toxic work culture", and poor communication, among other faults.[31] February 2017, Boohoo Group purchased Nasty Gal for $20 million, with Nasty Gal remaining in Los Angeles and continuing to produce apparel, shoes, and accessories under its own brand.[32]

In December 2017, Amoruso founded Girlboss Media(#girlboss), a company that creates editorial content, videos, and podcasts aimed at a female audience.[33] Since 2017, Amoruso has held Girlboss Rallies, which are weekend-long instructional events for young entrepreneurs for around $500-$1400.[34]