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Lessons of a Lipstick Queen: Finding and Developing the Great Idea That Can Change Your Life Paperback – May 12, 2009
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If an eighteen-year-old girl's search for the ideal matte lipstick can turn into a multimillion-dollar company, anything is possible. When Poppy King finished high school, all she had to show for herself were some lackluster grades and a hundred and one ways to get out of phys ed. Within three years, however, she was president of her own hugely successful lipstick brand, Poppy Industries.
How did she do it?
In Lessons of a Lipstick Queen, Poppy reveals how she managed to launch her business, extracting valuable lessons from the experience as she goes along. Through Poppy's example, you can learn how to become a real entrepreneur -- from recognizing a good idea and finding financing, to marketing yourself and your brand, to approaching the media and avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you are looking to go into business for the first time, or simply want to build on your current career, Poppy King is the voice of experience that you should be listening to.
In a world where everyone is eager to get ahead, it's essential to think like an entrepreneur. Much more than just a guide to success, Lessons of a Lipstick Queen is a candid adventure story designed to take you on a journey of self-discovery.
Filled with exercises, concrete tips, and Poppy's personal and professional anecdotes, this motivational book will help readers get in touch with their inner entrepreneur.
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMay 12, 2009
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-100743299582
- ISBN-13978-0743299589
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"With this how-to on starting a small business, King weaves together her own story with the key entrepreneurial insights she's picked up along the way -- the perfect primer for budding beauty princesses." -- WWD (Women's Wear Daily)
"Expect to get engaged, to laugh, and to be inspired by the ups and downs of Business Life 101." --Booklist
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Atria; Reprint edition (May 12, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0743299582
- ISBN-13 : 978-0743299589
- Item Weight : 11.5 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #6,035,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,632 in Starting a Business (Books)
- #14,527 in Job Hunting & Career Guides
- #21,873 in Small Business (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2013Readable and inspiring. I gave it to a friend who was starting her own business, and I hope it will help.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2013Bought this for my daughter for Christmas. She loved it since she is starting her own business and was interested in another woman's experience.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2009Let me preface this review by saying that, growing up an aspiring young female entrepreneur in Australia, Poppy King was my first and for many years my only role model. Her influence on me was profound and to this day she remains one of the "5 people I'd invite to any dinner". As you can imagine then when I saw her book on the shelves I jumped at it straight away. I've always wanted a greater insight into the "Poppy story", what went so well and also what went so wrong. Let me get the parts I didn't like out of the way straight away. The book was a little too Americanised for me. I get that it's being published in America and is predominantly for an American readership, but this little Aussie thought it strange to hear examples about Thanksgiving that could have just as easily been examples that would be relevant world wide. The voyeur in me also would have liked a bit more of an insight into exactly what didn't work in Poppy's business partnership, it was mentioned but forgive the pun "glossed over" a little. I also found that the "her story" parts of the book jumped about and were a little difficult to follow sequentially. That aside - did I enjoy the read? Yes. It was written from the heart, by a real person and by someone that's obviously had to go through a whole heck of a lot in her journey from being the media's darling to being raked through the mud. Will this book change my life: probably not, but there are some great nuggets in there for any aspiring entrepreneur.
Kirsty Dunphey, Author [...]
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2008I really liked this book a lot. It's a book written by a female entrepreneur who started her own company in Australia when she was 18. She winged it, and somehow it grew to be a real success despite her lack of a formal business plan. But eventually her lack of proper planning caught up with her and the company was forced into bankruptcy and as a result she lost control of it. This book is a compilation of 61 lessons she learned from her experience riding the wave of success as her company grew and then fell. The lessons are grouped in the following 12 chapters:
1. You already have ideas (1-6)
2. From ideas to decisions (7-13)
3. Research is simpler than it sounds (14-19)
4. Looking closer (20-23)
5. The road map (24-27)
6. On the money trail (28-33)
7. Marketing: Anyone can do it (34-38)
8. Putting yourself on the line (39-43)
9. The greatest show on earth (44-48)
10. Now you're moving (49-53)
11. The err is human (54-58)
12. Keep the flame alive (59-61)
Epilogue: The last word on the very beginning
This book is about following one's dream, taking risks, and going with an idea that could be built into a company. It is filled with words of wisdom regarding entrepreneurship. It is motivational, and includes tips and annectdotes that just about any wanta-be entrepreneur will find useful on their road to starting a small business of their own.
I wish I could list all 61 of the lesson titles in this review. But that wouldn't be fair or right. However, the 14 lesson titles that were my favorites were:
5. Fantasizing is essential
14. Avoid Complication
15. The destination determines the journey
16. Go back to school
24. Close the information gap
25. Start with the questions
26. Mapping it out
28. Ideas need money, and vice versa
34. Keep it real
35. Successful marketing: Something simple
36. Successful marketing: Something true
37. Successful marketing: Something consistent
38. Successful marketing: Something with a point of view
39. Strive for balance
The book follows a typical sequence. First the lesson learned is presented and then the author tells her story as it related to the lesson. If you are thinking about starting a business of your own, then seriously consider getting a copy of this book and giving it a read. You won't be sorry you did. 5 stars!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2011After reading the first few pages of "Lessons of a Lipstick Queen", the reader will understand that Poppy King's recollections of her life lessons are heartfelt and genuinely meant to inspire and educate future female entrepreneurs. She does not write in an arrogant manner and claim that she is a business "guru", rather she admits her mistakes and humbly relates her successes. These are the lessons she wishes someone had told her about but also the experiences that she knows one has to live personally to understand. "Lessons of a Lipstick Queen" is both the traffic sign warning of a bend in the road and the car in front of you who confirms that it can be maneuvered successfully.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2008Poppy King's self-deprecating approach is refreshing for an entrepreneur. She is very open about her periods of self doubt and how she overcame those challenging times. She shares her mistakes and makes suggestions on how to avoid the same pitfalls. Reading this is like having a very close, successful friend thoughtfully take you under her wing. Poppy is an excellent mentor. The one thing I keep wondering: does she really know how much she has truly accomplished? I don't think she appreciates the magnitude of her accomplishments. Lucky for her audience-she believes anyone can accomplish the same and she wants to help! For people who want to judge-I'd like to pose the question: What were you doing at age 18? After becoming a huge success before the age of 20, she could have easily blown the money and "retired" to the beaches of Australia- however-she stuck it out in the boardroom and is still thriving. Poppy has staying power. She knows how to adapt. She knows how to write an engaging story. Thank you, Poppy!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2008I bought this and couldn't manage more interest than casually flipping through to read the "My Story" sections. The advice itself seemed too vague and general to really be helpful.
Possibly helpful for someone who just needs some inspiration. Not so helpful for anyone looking for specific advice.
Top reviews from other countries
- LanneReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
Great read.
- alison evansReviewed in Australia on June 11, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Learnt a lot & thoroughly enjoyed Poppy's honesty
Learnt a lot & thoroughly enjoyed Poppy's honesty , integrity and laying out the details and background triumphs & pitfalls. Recommend