Their answers are snapshots of their struggles and reveal the mindset and determination one needs in order to succeed as a business owner. They stress the importance of learning as much as you can from other entrepreneurs, of making strong connections and genuine relationships with your peers, of being able to say no, and taking care of yourself. Their answers to Bonney’s questions reveal common truths about the nature of entrepreneurship: mistakes should be seen as learning experiences, feelings of insecurity and imposter syndrome are typical, trusting your instinct is a necessity. Dozens of others featured are lesser known. Some of the women are more easily recognizable than others: Carrie Brownstein, Neko Case, Abbi Jacobsen, Carla Hall, Mary Lambert, Roxane Gay, and Genevieve Gorder. The experiences and challenges that marked the path to their success are also varied. The women featured here represent a wide range of artistic professions and backgrounds.
The author, Grace Bonney, is herself an entrepreneur and she skillfully accomplishes her goal to “provide motivating and relatable examples of all kinds of women running their own businesses, so that any woman, anywhere, can open to a page and see herself reflected”–and much more. It’s as much an art book in its own right as it is a spiritual guide to anyone thinking of making the leap into the world of owning their own business. Their interviews are paired with intimate, striking portraits and vividly rich photographs of their workspaces and creations.
There’s no denying that “ In the Company of Women” is a stunning and ambitious project – over 100 female artists and entrepreneurs are profiled, candidly sharing the successes, mistakes, lessons, and attitudes that have accompanied their experiences as business owners. By Diane Hahn, SCLSNJ adult services librarian