I'm Not Really a Waitress

February 15, 2019
If you've had a professional manicure in the past 30 years, it's likely that you know Weiss-Fischmann's work. The co-founder of OPI, an industry-changing nail lacquer and beauty-supply company, Weiss-Fischmann was born in Hungary to parents who had survived the Holocaust. Her memoir, named for one of OPI's most popular shades of red, chronicles her upbringing in New York City, her early career experience in clothing manufacturing, and her move to California with her sister Miriam and brother-in-law George Schaeffer to take over a dental-supply company in 1981. During the 1980s, the nail polishes on the market were popular but not long-lasting when applied. When Weiss-Fischmann and Schaeffer learned that salon owners were buying dental acrylics to make artificial nails, they saw a potential new product, and created OPI's innovative nail lacquer. With an engaging tone throughout, Weiss-Fischmann takes readers through the company's history and her own growth as an executive. Her memoir is a fascinating look at brand creation and strategy, leadership, and the importance of storytelling.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)