Selling Sexy, by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez (Henry Holt & Company, 2024)

Journalist, Lauren Sherman, BFA, brings her writing, literature and publishing experience to expose the glamorous world of lingerie retail. The author chronicles the early founder of Victoria's Secret, Roy Raymond, who launched the lingerie brand. Sherman begins at a Victoria's Secret casting of Gigi Hadid with Edward Razek inviting her to the famed fashion show. Throughout the book Sherman includes detailed examples of the Victoria's Secret lifestyle, which included wealth, supermodels, sexy lingerie, and its retail business. Lauren details how Victoria's Secret began as a mail-order catalogue competing with Fredericks of Hollywood that eventually became a retail global empire. The author uses research, history, examples, and stories for entries. Raymond was great in business, due to his MBA from Stanford, as well as, marketing experience he developed at Vicks. Gaye Raymond helped his husband publicly as Roy was often quiet and soft-spoken. You will want to add this book to your When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion (2024), The Fashion Business Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Building a Fashion Brand (2017), as well as, The Ultimate Boutique Handbook: How to Start a Retail Business (2017).

5 out of 5 stars

Canadians Who Innovate, by Roseann O'Reilly Runte (Simon & Schuster Canada, 2024)

Educator, Roseann O'Reilly Runte, PhD, brings her university leadership and authorship experience to highlight the innovative minds of select Canadians. The author touches on the lives of various innovators, many who began from humble beginnings. Runte begins with innovative ways to do business where charisma enabled working on teams and building them. Throughout the book Runte includes brief descriptions of how innovators previously conducted themselves and learned from mentors before launching them into successful positions of corporate leadership. Roseann reveals the mantras that began it all, among other mindsets and behavior that eventually built their careers in innovation. The author uses research, biographies, and milestones for entries. There are nine parts of technological innovations to the book, from medical devices, quantum, machine learning, engineering, physics and social. Each biography is brief that inspires a path to carving out an innovative life of your own. You will want to add this book to your Extreme Entrepreneurship: Inspiring Life and Business Lessons from Entrepreneurs and Startups around the World (2021), Tough Calls from the Corner Office: Top Business Leaders Reveal Their Career-Defining Moments (2011), Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Global Insights from 24 Leaders (2010).

5 out of 5 stars

Double Click, by Carol Kino (Scribner, 2024)

Writer, Carol Kino, BA., brings her art criticism and contributing writing experience to highlight the evolving world of photography magazines. The author covers the life of a set of female twins, Frances and Kathryn McLaughlin, who became photographers. Kino begins at Pratt Institute where the twins attended art college to study photography. Throughout the book Kino includes detailed stories of how the twins met Jack Kennedy or had their photos appear in Glamour, Vogue, Mademoiselle, and Conde Nast magazines. Carol reveals how Vogue began, among other magazine start-ups that eventually grew. The author uses research, history, and stories for entries. The twins were good with the guys, due to their high society communication skills. The McLaughlin twins eventually married Harper Bazaar photographers. You will want to add this book to your Vintage Miami Beach Glamour: Celebrities and Socialites in the Heyday of Chic (2019), Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World (2019), Forever Paris: 25 Walks in the Footsteps of Chanel, Hemingway, Picasso, and More (2012).

5 out of 5 stars

Rainmaker, by Hughes Norton, and George Peper (Atria Books, 2024)

Harvard alum, Hughes Norton, MBA, brings his personal experiences to highlight a noteworthy life at IMG. The author covers personal conversations and observations as the executive assistant of Mark McCormack at International Management Group in Cleveland, Ohio. Norton absorbs golf industry, lives its history, through McCormack's IMG and leadership. The author illustrates how McCormack is always a step ahead of everyone, because he rises early, writes and mails fifty letters a day. Always the networker was part of Mark's vision, always working internally for the outside world to see. Norton says McCormack's life became one big tax deduction. Mark compensated well for bright ideas, keeping executives around. The author paints big pictures, while casting finer detailed entries. Norton provides insight into various deal-makings with talent and businesses. Hughes shows how IMG grew from one talent to a multimillion talent powerhouse. The author reveals his involvement in IMG, such as managing the golf division. You will want to add this book to your Arnie: The Life of Arnold Palmer (2017), What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School (1989), and Mark H. McCormack on Negotiating (1995) reading list.

5 out of 5 stars

The Winning Difference, by Jane Hight (Stellar Publishing, 2024)

Motivational speaker, Jane Hight, MA, brings her writing and communications experience to inspire an evidenced study about excellence. The author covers winning actions that are used by “Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.) winners.” Hight begins by explaining how to dominate your specialization by failing often, which leads to growth and preparation. Throughout the book Hight includes GOAT insights, which are intriguing stories of 70-plus athletes, celebrities, and CEOs mentality towards achieving a life of wins. The author uses research, archives, and interviews for entries. Dreaming and positive self-talk will inspire you to surpass realistic goals, because it will not feel like hard work or sacrifice. Hight says to get up, and keep trying as one step or degree of a second is the difference between average and excellence. Hight exposes secret concepts, thoughts and actions that only winners hold dear to themselves. You will want to add this book to your The Self-Talk Solution (1987), The Millionaire Mind (2000), and Tools of Titans (2016) reading list.

5 out of 5 stars

Rich Habits Rich Life, by Dr. Randall Bell (Owners Manual Press, 2016)

Socio-economist, Randall Bell, Ph.D., brings his consulting experience to draw a fascinating study about success. The author covers four habits that are “cornerstones of all great pursuits.” Bell begins by explaining a habit, and how a positive adjustment to the habit can become life-changing. Throughout the book Bell includes “Rich Habits,” which are interesting survey results of over 3,000 participants' habits towards becoming a person of value. The author uses research, history, and stories for entries. ME habits will inspire you to lifelong learning within higher education. Bell explores WE habits of building relationships, DO habits of building productivity, and BE habits of building a future. You will want to add this book to your 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989), The Millionaire Next Door (1996), and Now, Discover Your Strengths (2001) reading list.

3.5 out of 4 stars