It's About Damn Time

Part memoir, part self-help, Arlan Hamilton's memoir about how she build a Venture Capital fund from the ground up is inspiring. Her mission is exciting and worth supporting. Buy this book.

Does "It's About Time" provide any NEW concepts that haven't been told to us a billion times in other self help books?

Not Really.

BUT - Does "It's About Time" present all these things in a more compelling and thought provoking way?

YES.

In this book, Arlan Hamilton guides the reader through her journey while giving suggestions and encouraging people to reconsider their own potential biases. She never comes across as preachy - but rather, as someone who truly and honestly wants you to succeed.

I took away a lot more than I had figured from this book - and I have to say that I found her thoughts on people's privilege very interesting. And I really love how Arlan Hamilton users big chunks of the book to encourage her readers to think about how they can help others.

Thank you very much to Netgalley; the publisher; and the inspiring author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback - I needed this read!

An inspiring book a book that shows us how the author built her Venture Capital Fund.A book I learned from and at the same time really enjoyed and there were laughs along the way.Highly recommend,#netgalley #crown

A great read for any entrepreneur, but it certainly hit home for me as a woman of color with her own business. To hear someone else expressing and experiencing the things you thought you made up in your head is somehow comforting and enraging at the same time.

Of course, the first chapter, with its explanation of who gets venture capital resources, will piss you off. Arlan Hamilton's story is peppered with tips on how you can cultivate a growth mindset when the game is rigged against and get ahead not in spite of your difference but because of it.

What was especially helpful to me was the section on imposter syndrome. While this hits most women, she points out that it hits underestimated groups even harder because we are often treated (even if it is unconsciously) like we don't belong. This means it's even more critical to do the work - on myself and on being visible in the world.

I absolutely loved Arlan Hamilton's new book, in which she shares the roots of forming Backstage Capital, as well as her incredible, inspiring journey from outsider to insider. According to research cited by Hamilton, only one-fifth of 1 percent of all venture capital in the United States goes to Black women. Hamilton shares critical advice from the trenches for underrepresented founders and leaders, plus how the startup world can and must improve in order to be more inclusive. We're all familiar with "boys club" of tech and entrepreneurship, but Hamilton's wisdom is aimed at all folks, not just an elite who fit a stereotypical (outdated) idea of who should and can build amazing companies. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended reading.

Have you ever been underestimated? Ever wondered what would happen if you took a chance and if you showed people who you truly are? Do you know just how powerful making a connection can be?

I came across Arlan Hamilton a few years ago when she was featured on the cover of Fast Company and then again in 2019 as part of Forbes 30 Under 30. As I learned more about her, I became more intrigued about her journey and how she became one of the top leading Women of Color Venture Capitalist. I was so excited to learn that she was writing a book and I couldn't wait to read first hand about her experiences.

It's About Damn Time takes you not only thru Arlan's journey but it gives you an insiders glimpse into the world of business all while learning why its important to be authentically you.

Arlan’s memoir, “Its About Damn Time,” of coming into her venture capitalist self, her redefinition of who the next generation of Mark Zuckerberg’s might be, her encouragement and words of wisdom, and her entertaining stories of tenacity, grit, and ingenuity…. They are enough to inspire me to get busy writing my own headlines, and asking my own questions about how I’m called here to be in service to the world. She reminds me that I too have a “hacker” spirit that I can wield so that I may also be bold and brave. What truths could I not live without ten years from now? How can I be the money? These questions and more are enough to keep me reflective and inspired for a long long time. I’ll never ask for crumbs again, I’m comin’ for the whole cake too. Thanks for passing me the scissors on this one, Arlan, I’ll pass them on to the next person and we’ll all carve out a whole new thang.