The best memoirs about thought leaders who created brands

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in Chicago and at a very young age worked in retail. While my mom was building her own brand, lumbar support called the “back machine”, I watched the process and got to shadow her to understand what the customers’ needs were. I went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison and triple majored in Design, Retail, and Business. I then moved to NYC and launched my brand BOY MEET GIRL® in 2001. When I couldn’t find a book on a woman building a brand who was also a mother I knew I had to write my book to show others how you can do it.


I wrote...

Embracing the Calm in the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration

By Stacy Igel,

Book cover of Embracing the Calm in the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration

What is my book about?

How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration in this Memoir/Business book by Stacy Igel Founder of the global impact brand BOY MEETS GIRL®.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Stacy Igel Why did I love this book?

I would recommend this book over a Zoom class I teach and over a coffee with a fellow entrepreneur looking to learn about growing a business. I personally loved this book as I love learning about how someone has built a business and in this case Nike!

I loved learning how like me you start somewhere and normally an entrepreneur does not have access to tons of money or connections so the building process of building such a huge brand is fascinating and it taught me that hard work and tenacity can get you places but also with this hard work it is not always easy.

By Phil Knight,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Shoe Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A refreshingly honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like ... It's an amazing tale' Bill Gates

'The best book I read last year was Shoe Dog, by Nike's Phil Knight. Phil is a very wise, intelligent and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller' Warren Buffett

In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 from his father and created a company with a simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the boot of his Plymouth, Knight grossed $8000 in his first year. Today, Nike's annual…


Book cover of Steve Jobs

Stacy Igel Why did I love this book?

Steve Jobs offers an intimate and comprehensive portrait of a visionary icon.

The book delves into Jobs' extraordinary life, exploring his innovative mindset, relentless pursuit of perfection, and groundbreaking contributions to technology and design. Through candid interviews and meticulous research, Isaacson presents an authentic account of Jobs' triumphs and tribulations, inspiring readers to embrace creativity, resilience, and a passion for innovation.

This biography not only reveals the complexities of Jobs as a person but also sheds light on the transformative impact he had on the world, making it a compelling and enlightening read.

By Walter Isaacson,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Steve Jobs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From bestselling author Walter Isaacson comes the landmark biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. In Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography, Isaacson provides an extraordinary account of Jobs' professional and personal life.

Drawn from three years of exclusive and unprecedented interviews Isaacson has conducted with Jobs as well as extensive interviews with Jobs' family members, key colleagues from Apple and its competitors, Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography is the definitive portrait of the greatest innovator of his generation.


Book cover of Authentic: A Memoir by the Founder of Vans

Stacy Igel Why did I love this book?

This book offers a firsthand account of the founding and growth of one of the most iconic and influential brands in the world, Vans.

It was important for me to learn about the challenges, successes, and innovations that shaped the company's journey. Vans has played a significant role in popular culture and fashion, and this memoir offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the brand achieved such a cultural impact.

I am all about the connection with Paul Van Doren's journey on a human level, making it a more relatable and engaging read.

By Paul Van Doren,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Authentic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In the tradition of bestsellers such as Shoe Dog, Authentic is a surprisingly candid, compelling memoir by a high school dropout who went on to establish one of the world's most iconic brands. You may not have known their creator, but you certainly know the shoes: for more than four generations, Vans shoes have been synonymous with cool.
Now in Authentic, a memoir written by Paul Van Doren and published just before his May 2021 death, the charismatic founder of Vans shares his story of heading West and capturing the American dream. Authentic is a celebration of Van Doren's remarkable…


Book cover of We Are Not Like Them

Stacy Igel Why did I love this book?

I have recommended We Are Not Like Them to friends and recently my 20-year-old niece for several reasons. The novel addresses important themes of race, friendship, and community, providing a thought-provoking and timely exploration of contemporary societal issues.

By following the story of two lifelong friends, one Black and one White, navigating a racially charged incident, the book prompts meaningful conversations about empathy, understanding, and bridging divides. I appreciate the book's powerful storytelling, engaging characters, and its ability to foster empathy and promote dialogue about race relations.

Overall, it's a compelling and relevant read with valuable lessons for personal growth and social awareness.

By Christine Pride, Jo Piazza,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked We Are Not Like Them as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE MOST IMPORTANT NOVEL YOU'LL READ THIS YEAR

'Harrowing and heartening in equal measure, this book is a breathtaking tale of racial fissures, fury and friendship' David Lammy, MP and author of Tribes

'A powerful story about friendship, race, love, forgiveness, and justice - and the stunning ways they intersect...Empathetic, riveting, and authentic' Laura Dave, bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me

'A painfully amazing read teaching us that sometimes, when it comes to race, the real enemy is ignorance' Rhys Stephenson, actor and TV presenter

'Provides a starting point for conversations which are crucial, at times uncomfortable,…


Book cover of Worn Out: How Our Clothes Cover Up Fashion's Sins

Stacy Igel Why did I love this book?

I have been in the fashion industry for over two + decades and have been fortunate to work with Alyssa Hardy the author of this book. She has featured me in several articles she writes for and has been a model in one of my anti-bullying campaigns.

Why I would recommend her book is not only because I think she is a rock star but because how important her book is to our society. It gives a real insider look at the rise of “fast fashion” and the abuse and neglect of garment workers.

By Alyssa Hardy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Worn Out as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An insider's look at how the rise of "fast fashion" obstructs ethical shopping and fuels the abuse and neglect of garment workers

"With years of expertise in the fashion industry, Alyssa's reporting is consistently deep and thoughtful, and her work on sustainability and ethics has changed how I view the clothes I wear."
-Brittney McNamara, features director at Teen Vogue

Ours is the era of fast fashion: a time of cheap and constantly changing styles for consumers of every stripe, with new clothing hitting the racks every season as social media-fueled tastes shift.

Worn Out examines the underside of our…


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Wealth Odyssey: The Essential Road Map for Your Financial Journey Where Is It You Are Really Trying to Go with Money?

By Larry R. Frank Sr., Maxwell Limanowski (editor), Peter Sander (editor)

Book cover of Wealth Odyssey: The Essential Road Map for Your Financial Journey Where Is It You Are Really Trying to Go with Money?

Larry R. Frank Sr. Author Of Wealth Odyssey: The Essential Road Map for Your Financial Journey Where Is It You Are Really Trying to Go with Money?

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author Father Grandfather Business founder Planner and thinker Income and longevity researcher

Larry's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

What are you trying to do with your money?

Few of us take the time to analyze our financial needs and goals to answer that pressing question. In Wealth Odyssey, author Larry R. Frank Sr. uses his extensive financial background to provide a universal road map that will help you determine the wealth you need to support your chosen lifestyle.

Frank discusses such topics as the wealth rule, the earning-spending-saving formula, using debt wisely, and 
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Wealth Odyssey is authored to be timeless; it does not matter what the market has done, or will do. This is a practical, no-nonsense guide that will help you develop a personal definition of wealth and create an effective strategy for long-term financial success.

Wealth Odyssey: The Essential Road Map for Your Financial Journey Where Is It You Are Really Trying to Go with Money?

By Larry R. Frank Sr., Maxwell Limanowski (editor), Peter Sander (editor)

What is this book about?

"Frank, a Certified Financial Planner in California, offers a concise, precise guide to "prudent thinking" about personal finances, along with simple tools to estimate how much is required for a comfortable retirement." "A sound guide designed to help people make sensible plans for a successful retirement" - Kirkus book review "First let me tell you Larry Frank knows his stuff. He has a procedure that many will find worth taking the time to implement.” " The book is full of good advice." - Armchair interviews "Larry Frank Sr, gives you a guidebook or "road map" for your financial goals or…


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