It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage

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)