Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work and Live Life on Your Own Terms book cover

Being Boss

Take Control of Your Work and Live Life on Your Own Terms

Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson
4.05(365 Reviews)

Overview of Being Boss

"Being Boss" empowers creative entrepreneurs to blend business savvy with authentic living. Endorsed by Whole30's Melissa Hartwig and FreshBooks CEO Mike McDerment, this practical guide transforms work-life boundaries. Discover why thousands of creatives follow Shannon and Thompson's revolutionary approach to sovereignty in both business and life.

Key Themes in Being Boss

  • creative professional mindset
  • work-life boundaries
  • authentic personal branding
  • entrepreneurial community building
  • value-based decision making

Quotes from Being Boss

  • Being boss means owning who you are, knowing what you want, and actually making it happen.

  • Do the work; be boss.

  • Values serve as a personal GPS system for navigating decisions.

  • Confidence strengthens with practice.

  • What would Beyonce do?

Characters in Being Boss

  • Kathleen ShannonAuthor and co-founder of Braid Creative
  • Emily ThompsonAuthor and creative web design entrepreneur
  • Tammy FauldsLife coach who discusses values and strengths

About the Author

About the Author of Being Boss

Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson are the co-authors of Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work and Live Life on Your Own Terms and leading voices in creative entrepreneurship.

Shannon, founder of Braid Creative & Consulting, and Thompson, creator of Indie Shopography, combine their expertise in branding and online business strategy to empower professionals in the self-help and business genres. Their book blends tactical advice on money habits and goal-setting with mindset frameworks for achieving work-life alignment.

As hosts of the top-ranked Being Boss Podcast (7M+ downloads), they’ve interviewed thought leaders like Brené Brown and built a global community for creative entrepreneurs. The duo’s actionable systems for "boss habits" and "fraudy feeling" management resonate with coaches, designers, and corporate professionals seeking authentic success.

Published by Running Press in 2018, their work continues to inspire through live events, masterminds, and the Being Boss Club community platform.

Download Summary of Being Boss

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@Moemenn
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
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