Five years after her first book, Design*Sponge at Home, Grace Bonney is back with something entirely different but equally (if not even more) inspirational, In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs. Grace interviewed influential and creative women from all ages, races, and backgrounds who have overcome obstacles to become stand-outs in their fields and shares their stories and advice on how to succeed in business. We get to see architects, tattoo artists, chefs, illustrators, and musicians in their workspaces and learn what keeps them up at night and what keeps them going, what they bombed, and what they’re most proud of. It’s an incredible resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and an inspiring window into the minds of a diverse and crazy-talented group of women.
Most of the interviews span two or three pages, and those that have only one will have you wanting more. Most of the women were new to me, but I was also happy to see profiles of several women I already admire and follow, like designer/blogger Joy Cho; writer/editor-in-chief Tavi Gevinson; baker/author Cheryl Day; interior designer/tv host Genevieve Gorder; designer/artist/author Justina Blakeney, cookbook author Julia Turshen; and artist/designer Anna Bond.
“We are trained to fit in, assimilate, and blend in. I’m always enamoured of women who overcome that.” — Janet Mock, In the Company of Women
I could easily post a dozen quotes that moved me, and I’m not even all the way through the book. The diverse group of women and stories in its pages makes it something for everyone, regardless of what stage they are in their careers. In the Company of Women would make an excellent gift for new graduates, entrepreneurs and those just getting into business, as well as makers and creatives curious to learn about trailblazers in their field.
(To learn more about Grace and In the Company of Women, here’s a Q&A that I really like.)
Win a copy!
To enter to win a copy of In the Company of Women, tell me about a woman who inspires you in the comments below. This entry is mandatory.
For an additional entry, follow try small things on Facebook and share this post, then tell me you did so and your name on Facebook in the comments below.
You may also tweet the following once per day and leave the url for your tweet in the comments below (one entry per tweet).
Business advice from leading entrepreneurs & creatives: Win #InTheCompanyOfWomen from @trysmallthings http://bit.ly/2dPAz4O CAN 10/27
The giveaway is open to Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) 18+ and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on October 27, 2016. The potential winner must respond to prize notification within 48 hours, including the correct answer to a skill-testing question, otherwise another winner will be selected.
Update October 29, 2016: Congratulations to Jenn L!
Thomas Allen & Son sent me a copy of In the Company of Women in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
try small things 
112 responses to “In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney + Win a copy!”
https://twitter.com/Loributler5/status/786181293474131972
This is great! I’m becoming enamored with so many woman that take their creativity to the next level, and even yet, do something that affects others for the better
Such an awesome book! My mom is a woman who inspires me. Her confidence, love, strength, determination, kindness, and humbleness are just a few traits I try to strive for!
this sounds amazing! my grandma is one of the most inspiring women I know! she’s 90 years old and still going strong
Love Grace Bonney! This book is on my wish list. Now I’m even more excited to get it.
This sounds like an amazing and inspiring read! My mom-her strength, resiliency, and love, inspires me!
This looks like a great read! I can’t choose one, too many that come to mind 🙂 thanks for sharing this!
wow that sounds like a great read! love inspiring stories from other women!
What a neat book! I love reading how other strong women do their thing 🙂
My mom has always inspired me, I hope I can be as awesome as a mother one day.
Interesting, want to check it out
I need to check this book out! So many people inspire me and this is going to sound maybe a bit cliche, but Oprah inspires me because she’s lived a life in which no one can say anything ill about her even when she’s been so public. I love that she’s been able to quiet her critics before they even have a chance to say anything at all.
Aza O’Leary Nominates – Kiley Redhead
Kiley runs this amazing school/business that helps people discover what they are most passionate about ie ‘their most inspired work’ which she teaches at ‘The New School of Inspired Work’:
http://www.thenewschool.ca/
She was kind enough let me and my wife (and others) attend her school without paying, as she was not turning anyone away when she first opened. Kiley’s work and school has changed me and my wife’s life for the better. She is a true leader in the community with her thoughtfulness, passion and desire to help others try to become the best they can be. She is also a business owner trying to transform the face of business by helping people find their gifts and strengths, and then how to turn that into passion fueled businesses, contributing to the community. Kiley is a hard working, VERY INSPIRING, loving, passionate visionary business woman who deserves to be recognized!
Thank You!
Wow, this book sounds like a must-read! Love inspirational women, especially now that I have a daughter I want to raise to be strong.
The people that inspire me the most would be my grandmother my mom and my daughter because little people can inspire you so much 🙂
https://twitter.com/Loributler5/status/784775679422312449
what a great book
My mom inspires me! She is the most kind, generous, funny person I know and she inspires me to be a woman like her more and more each day.
Without question… my 86 year old mother.
My friend Anneliese inspires me with her adventurous spirit, strength, and kindness.
barbara streisand
Shonda Rimes inspires me!
My mother inspires me. She has a strong faith, and a strong sense of independence. Lately, she’s been challenged to adapt to a loss of independence, and physical problems limiting her abilities. She does this with grace.
My mom definitely inspires me. Her strength and understanding
My best friend Olly inspires me. She is so wise and has helped me through some tough times.
https://twitter.com/Loributler5/status/784374742228672513
my mom is a huge inspiration she is a 5x breast cancer survivor, she has shown me to never give up.
My MIL inspires me. She is aleays positive. Works full time. Very active in her church. Volunteers. Never stops! Always giving and doung for others selflessly.
What a great book I need to get it.
My beautiful daughter inspires me. Her creativity and writing skills leave me envious.
My supervisor really inspires me. She is a hard working, career driven, strong, and independent mom. I just learn so much from her.
My mom! She is so selfless, always putting others first. She inspires me everyday!
this looks like an awesome book!! It’s hard to choose just one woman who inspires me! Wow – what a tough question! There are so many! Women in the media. Movie Stars. Fashion Icons. Politicians. Singers. Royalty. Friends. Family. Nope, can’t do it. I admire women with confidence, passion, artistry, strength, vision, kindness and modesty…. so that’s my answer, and i’m sticking to it 🙂