Are you a fan of OPI nail polish? If so, you’ll want to read ‘I’m Not Really a Waitress’ because it’s written by the co-founder of the brand and it gives a deeper look into her personal story intertwined with the story of the brand’s origin. Scroll on to find out why I loved the book and then go get yourself a copy!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. See full disclosure here. Thanks!
Review & Thoughts
I’m Not Really a Waitress: How One Woman Took Over the Beauty Industry by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann
I recently listened to a radio podcast episode that featured Suzi and was inspired to pick up this book. I loved learning about both Suzi’s journey and OPI’s origin and am so happy I chose to pick up this book. I enjoyed the author’s easy-going yet commanding voice and loved the themes of helping others and having an entrepreneurial mindset.
Prior to the pandemic I was someone that got my nails done in a salon consistently for the past 2 or 3 years. Once the pandemic hit, I found a renewed love of OPI nail lacquer and began doing my own manicures at home. Color is one of the easiest ways to express ourselves and our mood and I now have multiple fun color options in my box of nail polishes. One of my favorite ways to express my mood is to match my nails to my current read. One of my new personal favorites is a turquoise hue called ‘My Dogsled is a Hybrid’.
Important themes and elements of the story:
- Perspective: when we are successful, we have a responsibility to give back to our communities
- Dreams & goals: working hard and having an entrepreneurial mindset
- Advice: 20 pieces of advice at the end of the book; totally worth the read, even if you’re just looking for inspirational advice!
In a Nutshell: Inspirational story about the woman behind an iconic and well-loved brand. 100% a must-read!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for Pinterest-worthy quotes!
My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
Details From the Book Jacket
Published: March 12, 2019 by Seal Press
Book Blurb:
Inspiring women to pursue their own colorful dreams, I’m Not Really a Waitress tells the story of how Suzi Weiss-Fischmann transformed a small dental supply company into a #1 beauty brand around the world
Today, OPI is known as a global beauty brand, famous for its trend-setting colors, unforgettable shade names, and celebrity collaborations with the biggest stars from film, television, music, and sports. But behind all the glamour is the little-known tale of OPI’s unlikely origins-an intimate and inspiring story of a timid schoolgirl who arrives in this country with little money and no English and becomes the business leader and industry game-changer known worldwide as “Suzi, the First Lady of Nails.”
In I’m Not Really a Waitress–titled after OPI’s top-selling nail color–Suzi reveals the events that led her family to flee Communist Hungary and eventually come to New York City in pursuit of the American dream. She shares how those early experiences gave rise to OPI’s revolutionary vision of freedom and empowerment, and how Suzi transformed an industry by celebrating the power of color-and of women themselves.
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads
Books by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann
Can’t wait to read this book!