Publishers Weekly
10/26/2020
Celebrity hairstylist Atkin debuts with a winning blend of memoir and business advice. Raised as the middle daughter in a strict Mormon household in St. George, Utah, Atkin and best friend Lindsay moved to Salt Lake City after graduating high school in 1999. Following a chance encounter with musician Dave Matthews, Atkin and Lindsay headed to Los Angeles, where Atkin became the manager of an upscale salon, and later started her career as stylist to celebrities and launched a hair-care line. She then spun up the website Mane Addicts and the learning platform Mane University as a way to share knowledge with fledgling stylists. Atkin is generous when crediting the many people who helped, especially the Kardashian/Jenner family, who have worked with Atkin and promoted her brand since 2011. Her sensible advice on topics such as how to be confident (concentrate on “being someone worth believing in”) or establish boundaries with friends and family will help anyone looking to build a career. Atkin’s gratefulness for her many successes and determination to extend a helping hand to those on the way up are refreshing and inspiring. This spirited account will nudge any reader of self-help toward following their dreams. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
"Whether she’s writing about her extremely random life (you'll know what I mean when you read it!), the chaos of juggling multiple clients, or effortlessly navigating social media, Jen Atkin is smart, incisive, deservedly-confident-yet-uniquely-humble and real. This is a fun read from an author (my friend!) who clearly wants all her readers to know their worth, lift each other up, and feel like rock stars. It’s inspiring without being earnest, witty but with a big heart. An inspiring guide for how to go from dreamer to do-er, from someone who’s been there, done that and wrote the book on it.” — Chrissy Teigen, New York Times bestselling author of Cravings and Cravings: Hungry for More
“As one of Jen Atkin's least famous clients, I was delighted to read her clever, thoughtful and hilarious book and see she did not out me as "an insane diva with bad extensions." If you want to start a successful business, and do it in style, get this book and learn from its wise and empowering lessons.” — Mindy Kaling, New York Times bestselling author of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and Why Not Me?
"I've had a front-row seat to Jen Atkin’s transformation from salon receptionist to influencer, entrepreneur, and all-around boss. Though she’s living the life that dreams are made of, she’s never lost sight of where she came from and what it took to achieve those dreams. She always manages to keep her feet and heart grounded and her generosity and kindness are unparalleled. In Blowing My Way to the Top, Jen's street-smart hustle, and IQ and EQ will inspire readers everywhere to fulfill their wildest dreams, just as she has." — Jessica Alba, New York Times bestselling author of The Honest Life and founder of The Honest Company
“Confident, hard-working, savvy, and willing to learn from and lift up everyone around her? Those are just a few of the reasons Jen Atkin is at the top of her game, and I’m in awe of all of them. Lucky for us, she’s willing to share the secrets of her success in this candid, insightful memoir. I loved it!” — Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of Get Your Sh*t Together
“Jen Atkin has been my go-to for advice for over a decade—she gives it to you straight but always wants what’s best for you. She's also an inspiring example of someone who chased all her professional dreams and, as she conquered each goal, kept dreaming bigger. The result of that hard work is the awesome OUAI brand, the Mane Addicts platform, and now this insightful and laugh-out-loud book. Reading it feels like a phone call with your best girlfriend.” — Khloe Kardashian, New York Times bestselling author of Strong Looks Better Naked
Jessica Alba
"I've had a front-row seat to Jen Atkin’s transformation from salon receptionist to influencer, entrepreneur, and all-around boss. Though she’s living the life that dreams are made of, she’s never lost sight of where she came from and what it took to achieve those dreams. She always manages to keep her feet and heart grounded and her generosity and kindness are unparalleled. In Blowing My Way to the Top, Jen's street-smart hustle, and IQ and EQ will inspire readers everywhere to fulfill their wildest dreams, just as she has."
Chrissy Teigen
"Whether she’s writing about her extremely random life (you'll know what I mean when you read it!), the chaos of juggling multiple clients, or effortlessly navigating social media, Jen Atkin is smart, incisive, deservedly-confident-yet-uniquely-humble and real. This is a fun read from an author (my friend!) who clearly wants all her readers to know their worth, lift each other up, and feel like rock stars. It’s inspiring without being earnest, witty but with a big heart. An inspiring guide for how to go from dreamer to do-er, from someone who’s been there, done that and wrote the book on it.”
Mindy Kaling
As one of Jen Atkin's least famous clients, I was delighted to read her clever, thoughtful and hilarious book and see she did not out me as "an insane diva with bad extensions." If you want to start a successful business, and do it in style, get this book and learn from its wise and empowering lessons.
Sarah Knight
Confident, hard-working, savvy, and willing to learn from and lift up everyone around her? Those are just a few of the reasons Jen Atkin is at the top of her game, and I’m in awe of all of them. Lucky for us, she’s willing to share the secrets of her success in this candid, insightful memoir. I loved it!
Khloe Kardashian
Jen Atkin has been my go-to for advice for over a decade—she gives it to you straight but always wants what’s best for you. She's also an inspiring example of someone who chased all her professional dreams and, as she conquered each goal, kept dreaming bigger. The result of that hard work is the awesome OUAI brand, the Mane Addicts platform, and now this insightful and laugh-out-loud book. Reading it feels like a phone call with your best girlfriend.”
Library Journal
07/01/2020
Celebrity hairstylist (think: the Kardashians) Atkin shows that building an empire worth $80 million isn't as easy as she made it look; she had to break away from the remote, conservative religious community in which she was raised. With a 100,000-copy first printing.
