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Book Review – Unemployable: How I Hired Myself by Alysia Silberg

Unemployable: How I Hired Myself by Alysia Silberg is a riveting memoir of a successful entrepreneur who started from the street selling of South Africa and went on to become a successful venture capitalist in the USA. It is a work of non-fiction; the lead character is none other than the author – Alysia Silber. The book is poignant in depicting her struggle against difficulties and obstacles. Right since childhood, as her father would say that she holds terrific sales power.


The book starts quite dramatically. Alysia takes us through insecurities of Johannesburg where carjacking and plundering and shooting were as rampant as in any part of Africa. Her childhood days in South Africa were marred by the voice of Apartheid. All the more, her father passed away without settling the family. Her mother had abusive tendencies, she burdened Alysia with the responsibility of the family – only she could take it ahead, in the light, as Moses did for Jews thousands of years back. Somewhat this remained stuck in her subconscious mind.

It’s certain that Alysia had affinity for big money. Right at the age of six, she took out her father’s unused suits to sell on the streets of Pretoria. Her idea of costume hiring and selling worked. Her mother accompanied her to make it successful; they even traveled to the UK for supplies and credit lines.

Nonetheless, Alysia was unstoppable; the quest for success didn’t let her rest. No matter how gruesome family ambience turned, she always dreamt of freedom in personal life, in finance, she wanted to be abroad in a good country. The family managed to go to Canada, but it was short-lived.

Alysia’s life was a mess until she meets Darren. Both rocked. They got into real-estate, digital marketing ventures, and then creates a sales promotion application which ultimately lifted them…almost got a ticket for the Silicon Valley in the United States.

The amount of perseverance and pressure she put in, without losing hope is the biggest life lesson a person can reap from this book. Those who are involved in the startup ecosystem can look for inspiration and experience of Alysia for their personal fuelling of growth and aspirations. Dreams are big, and one needs to work relentlessly. Alysia sets a fine example. Alysia’s love for tech trends and leveraging AI in the business has an extra edge. She believes in advanced technology, all the more, as she got success by that, and now as VC she invests in tech startups.

The USP of the book is its author’s journey. You can witness how a person with dedication, dreams, and grit overcomes a mountain of troubles to finally reach her destination. The book feels alive and vibrant. You could feel that she grew from uncared streets to the Silicon Valley right before you. The book should be read and treasured by all entrepreneurs who cling on to their dream of making big.

Buy it from Amazon/Kindle

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