{book review: By Invitation Only}

My friend Kristin and I recently joined Women of Wardrobe, a young professional organization for women who support Dress for Success.  The membership fee helps to purchase a brand new suit for a woman, and in addition, members get special access to events around town.

A few weeks ago, Kristin and I were able to attend a special event held at Hotel Zaza here in Houston, featuring one of the founders of Gilt Groupe, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson.  She spoke with us about her journey to Gilt Groupe and about how the company itself was established.  She is an incredibly humble, inspiring and friendly individual with a great story.

One extra treat associated with this event was that we received a copy of Alexandra's new book (co-written with her founding partner, Alexis Maybank), By Invitation Only.

Let me just tell you--I started reading this book shortly after the event and finished it within only a couple days.  The book is SO well-written and inspiring, especially so for young women just starting out in their careers (like me!).  The authors tell of how they met, the paths they took prior to joining Gilt, and the full story of all the highs and lows of starting a business that would reshape how people shop.  It's a story not just about fashion and glitz, but of real-life challenges, of the joys and struggles of starting one's own business and of balancing work life with personal growth.  Throughout the book, they offer advice on various aspects of starting and running a business--how to choose your business partner, what to think about if your business is IT-heavy, etc.  It is an incredible tool for anyone thinking of starting his own business or of simply becoming more secure in his own career path, whether a man or a woman.

I highly recommend this book, whether you're established in your career or just starting out, whether you're a man or a woman.  Happy reading!