It's About Damn Time

How to Turn Being Underestimated Into Your Greatest Advantage

Arlan Hamilton | 4.71 | 146 ratings and reviews

“A hero's tale of what’s possible when we unlock our potential, continue the search for knowledge, and draw on our lived experiences to guide us through the darkest moments.”
—Stacey Abrams

From a black, gay woman who broke into the boys' club of Silicon Valley comes an empowering guide to finding your voice, working your way into any room you want to be in, and achieving your own dreams.

In 2015, Arlan Hamilton was on food stamps and sleeping on the floor of the San Francisco Airport, with nothing but an old laptop and a dream of breaking into the venture capital business: she couldn't understand why people starting companies all looked the same (white, male), and saw the chance to invest in the ideas and people who didn't conform to this image of how a founder is "supposed to look." She had no contacts or network in Silicon Valley, no background in finance - or even a college degree. What she did have was fierce determination and the will to succeed.

As much as we wish it weren't so, we still live in a world where being underrepresented often means being underestimated. But as someone who makes her living investing in high-potential founders who also happen to be female, LGBTQ, or people of color, Arlan understands that being undervalued simply means that a big upside exists. Because even if you have to work twice as hard to get to the starting line, she says, once you are on a level playing field, you will sprint ahead.

Despite what society would have you believe, Arlan argues, a privileged background, an influential network, and a fancy college degree are not pre-requisites for success. Drawing on her remarkable journey from food stamps to venture capitalist, she inspires us all to defy other people's expectations and become the role models we've been looking for.

PRAISE FOR IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME
“Hamilton’s story speaks to all the would-be entrepreneurs and dreamers out there. She brings a unique perspective that has enabled her to see opportunities that others cannot. Her message is simple: Those of us who are different can rule the business world, and no one can stop us.”—Mark Cuban

“The world needs more Arlan Hamiltons. Although full of practical wisdom, It’s About Damn Time isn’t the typical business book. Hamilton is unfiltered, vulnerable, and funny as hell. Her story teaches us we can be successful on our own terms, without sacrificing our values or personalities.”—Sophia Amoruso, New York Times bestselling author of #GIRLBOSS

“Hamilton is dead right: It is about damn time. It’s about damn time we as women start trusting our voice, knowing our worth, and being unapologetically proud of who we are. In her new book, Hamilton proves that none of us need to ask permission to show the world what we’re made of. If you want to feel inspired, read this now.”—Jameela Jamil, actress, model, and writer

“It’s About Damn Time hits at the heart of leadership and risk taking—that we must each foster an unwavering belief in our own capacity. Arlan Hamilton’s insights about the venture capital industry are met by her daring to build something intended for those left outside the gates. Hamilton’s story is a hero’s tale of what’s possible when we unlock our potential, continue the search for knowledge, and draw on our lived experiences to guide us through the darkest moments. For aspiring entrepreneurs and those ready to start a new chapter, It’s About Damn Time is a necessary reminder that every no isn’t the end.”—Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives

“Refreshing in its inclusivity, Hamilton’s book offers wise and practical lessons from the margins to all ‘underestimated people’ looking to make a difference in the world of business and beyond. Inspiring reading for budding entrepreneurs.”—Kirkus Reviews less

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