🎬 Book Review: The Business of Being Me by Issa Rae (Kindle Edition, I Should Be Smarter By Now Series)
A sharp, funny, and inspiring essay that charts Issa Rae’s journey from bedroom dreamer to Hollywood powerhouse—this short read is a masterclass in creative persistence and self-definition.
🧠 Overview
Published as part of Amazon Original Stories’ I Should Be Smarter By Now series, The Business of Being Me is a 22-page Kindle essay by Issa Rae, the Emmy-nominated creator of Insecure and bestselling author of The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. This piece reflects on Rae’s entrepreneurial spirit, her early creative hustle, and the unpredictable path she took to build a career in entertainment.
From childhood role-play with a toy phone to navigating network rejections and finally landing a hit HBO series, Rae shares the behind-the-scenes reality of being taken seriously in an industry that often resists fresh voices.
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 📞 Early ambition: Rae humorously recounts her childhood “business calls” and the confidence she carried long before Hollywood noticed
- 🎥 Creative resilience: She reflects on the ups and downs of pitching shows, facing rejection, and learning to advocate for her own vision
- 🧠 Self-discovery: The essay explores how Rae found her voice and shaped it into a brand that’s both authentic and influential
- 💬 Industry insight: Offers a candid look at the business side of creativity—what it takes to get a show greenlit, and the emotional toll of being underestimated
“Even at seven years old, Issa Rae meant business, conducting herself with entrepreneurial authority on a toy phone in her bedroom.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 5.0/5 (early reviews)
- 📖 Readers praise the essay’s humor, authenticity, and motivational tone
- 🧾 One reviewer noted: “A nice summary of her journey and the BTS of the entertainment industry. Never really understood how much they go through to get shows greenlit.”
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 22 pages, it’s a quick read—best enjoyed as a snapshot of Rae’s creative philosophy
- 📚 Part of a series: This is Book 1 in I Should Be Smarter By Now, a collection of essays by Rae on creativity, identity, and ambition
- 🧾 Not a memoir: While personal, it’s more thematic than chronological
🏁 Final Verdict
The Business of Being Me is a witty and empowering essay that captures Issa Rae’s voice with clarity and charm. It’s perfect for creatives, entrepreneurs, or anyone navigating the tension between self-doubt and self-belief. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering her work, this Kindle Original offers a refreshing dose of inspiration in under an hour.
