University of Delaware alumna Ariana Friedlander has written a book called A Misfit Entrepreneur’s Guide to Building a Business Your Way to assist readers in reevaluating their entrepreneurial journey.

Friedlander, who graduated from UD in 2007 earning her master of public administration degree in organizational leadership, is the founder of Rosabella Consulting LLC, which challenges leaders to change their communities through facilitating better conversation and rediscovering the entrepreneurial spirit.

“Ariana Friedlander is one of those few, both a doer and a dreamer, and that’s what makes working with her and reading this book so special and valuable,” wrote Tony Middlebrooks, director of graduate programs in UD’s Horn Program in Entrepreneurship, in the book’s foreword.

Told through a series of journal entries, stories and experiences by Friedlander, as well as a number of co-creators, this book is meant for the rule breakers and those who like to make things happen their own way.

“The misfit entrepreneur does not ascribe to traditional definitions of success. She cares about making a positive impact, earning a living and enjoying a good quality of life,” said Friedlander. “Ultimately her greatest challenge is creating a profitable endeavor while being true to herself.”

These misfits are what inspired Friedlander to pursue writing a book. She recognized that the misfit’s entrepreneurial journey, although incredibly rewarding, is an emotionally turbulent one with many ups and downs.

“I wrote this book because I couldn’t, in good conscience, let more misfit entrepreneurs suffer in silence and solitude any longer,” said Friedlander.

Friedlander became inspired after speaking at the Lean Startup Conference in 2015, where she met with fellow entrepreneurs and spoke with them about their experiences.

“I met a number of entrepreneurs who confided in me that they were completely unprepared for the emotional roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship,” she said. “Furthermore, I was the first person they shared that with. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”

Through experience, Friedlander has found that there are many powerful links between entrepreneurship and leadership. She has taken these applied them to her entrepreneurial journey.

“What I learned at UD shaped my world view, so when I graduated I approached life and business from a growth mindset instead of a scarcity mindset,” said Friedlander. “Every day I strive to embody the wisdom and insights I gleaned about leadership at UD.”

To learn about the University’s master of science in entrepreneurship and design, visit this website.

To learn about the master of public administration, visit this website.

About the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship

The Horn Program in Entrepreneurship ignites imaginations and empowers world changers through educational offerings that emphasize experiential learning, evidence-based entrepreneurship and active engagement with entrepreneurs and other members of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through participation in Horn Program offerings, students gain the knowledge, skills, personal capacities, experiences, connections and access to resources needed to successfully manifest innovation and thrive in the rapidly changing world.