It's About Damn Time

March 15, 2020
A celebrated gay venture capitalist offers advice about "how diversity could be our greatest superpower." In 2018, Hamilton became "the first "Black female noncelebrity to grace the front cover of Fast Company magazine." Before that, she was a live music production coordinator fascinated by the alien world of venture capitalism. In her debut, the author provides a guide for anyone not in "the straight white male population" to "do the thing they're passionate about." Drawing on her experiences in both music and business, she emphasizes the need to gather information in all ways possible: not just by consuming print and online information, but also by connecting with people in one's chosen area of interest. For "underestimated people," in particular, gathering together a diverse collective of individuals and not buying into the myth of the self-made person is key to success. "I am made up of my brother, my wife, my friends," and every member of her company, Backstage Capital. Hamilton also highlights the need to "amplify the voices of those without a microphone," especially in cases where an individual has gained enough power and influence to be heard. One of very few African Americans who seek to create a funding pool for startups headed by other minorities, Hamilton at first received many rejections from the (white male) business establishment she courted. She tells readers to expect the same but to also cultivate both an extra measure of self-confidence as well as forgiveness, which she calls "the ultimate productivity hack." Resilience--part of a person's "adaptability quotient"--fosters the ability to move forward. At the same time, Hamilton urges fighting against the business establishment's proliferation of "hustle porn" by trading in "hustle for self-care." 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.

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Starred review from May 11, 2020
In this excellent debut, Hamilton, founder of the venture capital firm Backstage Capital, shares how she went from being on food stamps and sleeping at the San Francisco airport to running her own multimillion-dollar investment fund. Hamilton was an entrepreneur from a young age; as a child she bought candy in bulk and resold it to her classmates for a profit. As an adult, Hamilton worked as a tour manager for bands and, realizing her strength was coordination and entrepreneurial ingenuity, she spent three years researching Silicon Valley investors and pitching start-ups with no success. Out of money, homeless, and relying on help from family when possible, she was finally accepted into a “pilot venture capital education program” hosted by Stanford. Then, after finding return on her investment in a variety of companies (such as beauty products and business analytic applications), Hamilton launched Backstage Capital in 2015. She has since contributed to 130 start-ups, with a focus on funding women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community. Hamilton discusses her struggles with addiction, depression, and even stage fright, and recommends readers find a healthy work-life balance, engage in hobbies, and practice self-care. Though any reader can use Hamilton’s sage advice, this will be a must-read for anyone interested in venture capital.

May 1, 2020
In her early career, Hamilton got hooked on the idea of venture capitalism. Life took a turn, and she found herself, a Black gay woman, dead broke and living in the San Francisco Airport. Holding on to her dream, she was doggedly determined to enter the heavily male-dominated world of Silicon Valley venture capitalism. For years she studied and read on her own and relentlessly emailed successful businesspeople for advice and job opportunities. She was eventually accepted into a pilot venture capitalist program at Stanford, in which she was one of two Black people. She weaves her narrative with solid advice. Topics covered include getting a yes and cultivating and managing relationships, creativity, and self-care. Readers will find it easy to be inspired by her success stories and admire her drive to continue after each defeat. Today, Hamilton's firm, Backstage Capital, invests in projects for women, people of color, and LGBTQ entrepreneurs. This book will appeal to those her company encourages as well as young women seeking a fresh and motivating role model.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)