Rare Breed

A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different

By: Sunny Bonnell, Ashleigh Hansberger

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens

An unconventional business book for the rebels and misfits—the Rare Breeds—who don’t fit the traditional mold, offering an approach that’s anything but business as usual.

There is an unofficial rule for success: you need to change who you are to achieve greatness. But it doesn’t have to be that way. What if you could leverage your so-called vices and shortcomings and make them your super powers?

— Rebellious. Audacious. Obsessed. Hot-Blooded. Weird. Hypnotic. Emotional —

These seven vices are what acclaimed leadership and brand experts Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger identify as keys to becoming a Rare Breed—those standout leaders and achievers—in any career.

Rare Breed is an unorthodox business book for the rebels, outsiders, and provocateurs — anyone with the ambition to lead, create, inspire and provoke change on your own terms by owning all of who you are, not just the pretty parts. But be careful, each virtue has a seductive and dualistic nature that can lead to success or sabotage.

Unique stories. Unconventional advice. Practical tools. Bonnell and Hansberger lay it all out to help fellow Rare Breeds understand, unlock, and direct the potential that’s been slumbering in them to rise above the ordinary, own who they are, and push things forward.

Impactful

Their words make you look inside yourself. It’s no easy to be true to who you are, but it's the only way to be happy.

A Standing O for these two birds

As an agency owner and adjunct instructor of an advertising course at Indiana University, I applaud these gals for breaking the mold, defying the norms and standing up to so many who tried to hold them down. Their struggle is so real and inspiring. Their perspective is so mature. They are so wise beyond their years. Their passion for brand messages that are authentic and human is what we need more of in our marketing world. I highly recommend this book to those in any creative industry or entrepreneurial endeavor.

Inspiring!

Inspiring book for founders of conscious brands who want to contribute to society by finding their essence to build better products.

Excellent Stories and Applicable Virtues

I love this content! But will likely buy the actual book because the narrator doesn’t fit the authors’ true tone.

Very good, just one-dimensional at times

I really liked the overall concept of this one. The notion that we need to embrace our weirdnesses and quirks and leverage them into businesses, product ideas, and inspirations is one that resonated deeply with me. And the examples of that notion in action really helped drive it home (and were fun, too).

My only real knock on this one is that it’s sort of one-dimensional; it’s much of the same style stories for the entire length of the book. I don’t think that detracts too much from its quality since it’s a fairly quick read (and those stories are mostly fun and exciting), but I do think it’s worth noting.

Having that said, I would still definitely recommend this one, especially to entrepreneurs, creatives, and obsessives. There are some nice takeaways and moments of solidarity.

-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”