| BETHANY WATSON |
Co-host, Z100 New York’s Elvis Duran and the Morning Show
“I’m always trying to use this huge platform to help others realize that being different isn’t just okay, it’s an asset!”
| ALLEGRA COHEN |
Film Producer
“I leverage people’s strengths so everybody can work at their greatest potential.”
| NUMA PERRIER |
Artist + Actress + Co-Founder of Black&SexyTV
“We’re girls – we’re feminine – but we are bosses making our own decisions, starting our own businesses.”
| KAVITA MEHRA |
Chief Transformation Officer, BGCN
“Success is a moving target.”
| COLLEEN CURLIN |
Music Supervisor, Bunim-Murray Productions
“Once I realized there was an industry where I could work and enjoy music at the same time, I was sold.”
| KATIE KRAUSE|
Host + Producer, Entertainment Tonight
“Know that with passion and talent comes criticism and people who will tell you that you can’t do things. Bad things happen, but don’t let those things define you, hinder you, or hurt your soul.”
| ANGELIQUE VELEZ |
Founder + CEO, Breakups to Makeup
“There was a time while I was attaining my Master’s degree when I was literally working seven days a week. But if there is something you want to do that you can’t stop thinking about, go do it and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t.”
| NATHALIE MOLINA NIÑO |
Co-Founder, Entrepreneurs@Athena
“The aim is simple: level the playing field for women entrepreneurs.”
| JOYA DASS |
NY1 Anchor + Founder of Lady Drinks
Dream big and dream specific, so when your dream shows up, you can recognize it.
| JORDAN SALCITO |
Wine Director, Momofuku + Founder, Bellus Wines
“What felt like obstacles at the time are, in retrospect, the very turning points that led me to better opportunities.”
| MARISA DARGAHI |
Actress + Singer + Voiceover Artist
“You are exactly where you need to be.”
| AURIELLE SAYEH |
Blogger + Radio Host + DJ + Model
“People show you who they are if you watch and listen. It’s up to you to allow them to mistreat you.”
| JENNY REY |
Celebrity Hairstylist, IGK
Whatever your intuition is about whatever you’re doing right that moment — follow it. People want you to succeed, but not above them. Remember, no one tells a boss what to do.
| JANELLE GUTIERREZ |
Stylist + Clientele Supervisor, Nasty Gal
“Keep pushing, and make sure you are always dressed to kill.”
| RACHEL DOYLE |
Founder, GlamourGals.org
“It’s all about the execution. Everyone has ideas. It’s getting the work done after you have set the plan or shared the idea that makes it real.”
| JESS ZAINO |
TV Producer
“I’m a clear-cut case of fake it ‘til you make it. I had HUGE aspirations, dreams, ambition, and the intuition to put pedal to the metal. My life is as adventurous and untraditional as one could be, and I could not be happier with it.”
| ALEXIS KLEINMAN |
Editor, HuffPost Tech
“My dad always told me, ‘If you’re on time, you’re late.’ So, I always try to show up 10 minutes early to wherever I’m going.”
| MARGOT STEPHENSON |
Global Social Media Marketing Manager, Sonos
“Advice to future girl bosses: Culture/media tells women that we should aspire to marriage and wait patiently until that opportunity arises. I hope to be so fortunate as to find a partner in life, but there’s also much more to life to uncover until then. It begins by looking inside, creating, and learning to have fun by yourself.”
| KIRBIE JOHNSON |
Beauty Reporter, POPSUGAR
“Any woman who is independent and is working hard for her dreams or family — hats off to you.”
| JULIA LANG |
Founder, JML Journal
“I listen to my inner voice more than anything else. You should, too.”
| LAUREN SACHS |
Director of Communications, Big Machine Agency
“The most difficult part was identifying the fine line between being nice and garnering respect. I strongly believe you can demand respect while still being kind.”
| NOA GRIFFEL |
In-House Photographer, Tory Burch
“It’s easy to forget that success should never plateau. It’s always a work in progress.”
| NADESKA ALEXIS |
MTV News Writer + Host
“Being a female rap writer isn’t an easy thing… I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been many days when I wanted to quit. I still have those days — today, as I’m writing this, was one of them — but something in me never gives up.”
| TRACI STUMPF |
TV Host + Comedian
“For me, there was no tycoon — just a LOT of open mic nights and days spent driving to auditions 40 miles away from my house.”
| CHRISTINA ZAYAS |
Founder, Le City Kitty & Chief Blogmother at NYLON’s Socialyte
“Don’t be a bitch. No one likes to work with a bitch.”
| LAUREN BERGER |
CEO + Founder, InternQueen.com
“Connect. Collaborate. Shout it from the rooftops – louder than a lion! And don’t just think big, execute big.”
| TAYLOR TRUDON |
Editor, HuffPost Teen
“At some point in your career, I think everyone asks themselves, ‘Am I good at this? Is this what I’m supposed to be doing?’ The key is to remember that you got hired for a reason, and Yes, you are good.”
| ERIN CHACK |
Senior Editor, BuzzFeed
“I’m a firm believer in the ‘be your own hero’ philosophy. Never look up to people — look directly at them and consider yourself their equal, because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”
| LINDSAY ZIR |
Celebrity Stylist + Costume Designer
“To me, a GIRLBOSS is someone who owns her career. She doesn’t sit around waiting for things to happen.”
| SAMANTHA LIM |
Features & Branded Content Director, StyleCaster
“My vices? Reality TV, fast food, champagne, rap music, fast fashion, shopping apps, instagram, chocolate, dancing, makeup, shopping, vacations, selfies, hoarding, traveling… I’m not very well-behaved.”
| CHRISTINA GARIBALDI |
On-Camera Reporter, MTV News
When I was younger, I dreamt of being a pop star, but when I realized I couldn’t sing — like, really couldn’t sing — I thought, “Why not interview them instead?”
| BETHANY HEITMAN |
Executive Editor, People StyleWatch
“I didn’t want to date Dr. Ross (aka George Clooney)—I wanted to be him.”
| LAUREN OTIS |
Copywriter, Saatchi & Saatchi
“A Girl Boss confidently lets her passion and instincts guide her, even if the odds aren’t in her favor. When her vision finally comes to be, it wows and inspires that many others to go out and take a risk.”
| MEREDITH TRUAX |
In-House Photographer, Universal Music Group
“The whole story seems to have been a weird combination of having talent and drive, but also meeting the right people at the right times who foster those talents, and allow you to make your best work.”
| CYNDI RAMIREZ |
Founder, Taste the Style + DAILE
“Don’t waste time working on something you’re not passionate about — even if you see monetary success.”
| SAMANTHA CHIN |
Publicist
“A Girl Boss is a woman who succeeds at what she does without sacrificing class and integrity.”
| ALEX WEHRLEY |
TV Host, E! News Now
“There were times I thought my dreams were too big, and that only ‘other people’ saw that kind of success.”
| LAURA GALVAN |
Founder, So-Last-Year
“Stop worrying about what other people think or may say about you. It’s just noise distracting you from your destiny.”
| SAZAN BARZANI |
Lifestyle Icon, Sazan
“A Girl Boss is someone who is in full control, and knows what she loves — A.K.A. She OWNS her sh*t.”
| MELANIE STARLING |
Producer, SiriusXM
“I used to try to plan out my career, and tell myself I had to reach this benchmark at this point, but I’ve come to find the best opportunities often catch you by surprise.”
| STUART BRAZELL |
TV Host + Founder, Dirty and Thirty
“No one will work harder for you than you.”
| ALYSSA CASTIGLIA |
A&R, Island Records
“When someone calls you a bitch, take it as a compliment. It generally means they forgot to add ‘boss’ before the word ‘bitch.’”
| LINDSEY CALDWELL |
E! News Reporter + Blogger
“Lots of people have great ideas, but they don’t act on them. Great ideas require action.”
| TAYE HANSBERRY |
Fashion Blogger + Actress, Stuff She Likes
“Joan Rivers once said to me, “Honey, don’t ask. Just do it, and apologize later.”
| MICHELLE MADONNA |
Founder, That Madonna Girl
“Dont be afraid of anything. The worst that could happen is that someone says no. And then don’t take No for an answer.”
| GRASIE MERCEDES |
TV Host + Style Blogger, Style Me Grasie
“When you feel insecure, unsure, or just terrible at something — know that you’re not alone.”
| ZOYA BIGLARY |
Business Developer, LSTN Headphones
“I think a true #GIRLBOSS doesn’t consider herself a “girl” boss, but rather just a boss.”
| DJ KALKUTTA |
DJ + Music Producer
“If you feel like you’re compromising yourself, you probably are. No one gets to decide what’s best for you but you. So don’t let them.”
| SARAH MOSHMAN |
Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker
“There is always a way to your dream, even if it doesn’t look or feel exactly as you imagined.”
| ASHLEY FULTZ |
Founder, The Style Editrix
“Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.”
| CHELSEA BRIGGS |
Host + Executive Producer, HollywireTV
“I’m my own worst critic, and can be super hard on myself. I also dealt with a lot of negative people telling me I wasn’t good enough. But I grew a thick skin early on, and have since learned to ‘shake off’ the insecure peeps.”
| KATIE CORRADO |
TV Anchor, FOX CT
“I sent out 73 demo reels — both as hard copies and YouTube links. I applied EVERYWHERE. There are 210 media markets in the U.S., with NYC being #1 and Glendive, Montana being #210. I applied up to #196.”
| ASHA DAHYA |
Host + Founder, GirlTalkHQ
“The only human obstacle I have ever come up against is myself, and being my own boss has taught me many valuable lessons about how being an empowered woman can take you further in life than you ever imagined.”
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