Making Waves: One Start-Up Founder's Raw, Gritty, & Unexpected Journey

Making Waves is a “true to life” piece that realistically portrays the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It is not easy, at times it is not fun and resilience is a key attribute. This lesson of resiliency is one that all of us can benefit from —— and we see it here in an easy to read, fun literary piece.Well done, Helaine Knapp !! I look forward to your next adventure!!!

Wow, this goes straight to the core. I loved the honesty, vulnerability, and humor in Making Waves. Also, not to mention, the wisdom!; Helaine Knapp shares pearls of wisdom that I'll carry with me. It was refreshing read, thought-provoking and enjoyable. Helaine's story is inspiring and empowering to female entrepreneurs (and women) everywhere.

No matter where you are at in your career, Helaine's story is so deeply relatable and vulnerable. This is an excellent and compelling read following Helaine's journey of perseverance and motivation. Highly recommend!!

Knapp doesn’t shy away from showing vulnerability and sharing the dark side of the startup world. As the reader, we experience her moments of self-doubt, the crushing setbacks, historic wins, and the constant hustle required to keep her dream alive and moving forward. This is a heartfelt, honest, humorous, and refreshing change from other entrepreneurs’ glossy portrayals often seen in the media. A must read!

Making Waves is fact paced, honest, vulnerable, and ultimately, heartwarming. I truly couldn't put it down and tore through it in 2 days. A must-read for anyone--especially young women--considering founding a company or simply interested in what it takes to do so.

Loved this book -- both my husband and I read it voraciously. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to make the jump the way Helaine did, but after reading her story and her advice, I feel more empowered to do it. Making Waves is a great balance of personal and business, and her honesty about her personal feelings as well as her knowledge and learnings within the startup and fitness spaces were inspiring. No spoilers, as everyone knows she is successful and after 10 years earned where she ended up, but it gave a great perspective and open-ended attitude about what is next! READ THIS BOOK!

**Book Review: "Making Waves" by Helaine Knapp**As the Founder & CEO of CITYROW, Knapp shares her journey from the NYC tech start-up scene to creating a national fitness brand. Her story begins with a personal injury that led to the innovative concept of CITYROW, blending rowing with strength training for a low-impact, high-intensity workout.Knapp's candid writing offers valuable insights into the challenges of building a successful business. She details CITYROW's growth from two NYC studios to a national brand with at-home rowers, premium streaming content, and a franchise system, culminating in its 2024 acquisition by WaterRower.Helaine Knapp's "Making Waves" is a compelling memoir and practical guide for entrepreneurs.Her book provides pragmatic advice and inspiration, emphasizing the importance of community, mentorship, and resilience. Helaine’s transparency and honesty make this book a must-read for aspiring founders and business leaders, offering a real, raw, and gritty look at what it takes to succeed in the start-up world.

Helaine Knapp's story is real, honest and relatable. This book is a must read for so many. Working to overcome imposter syndrome, feeling the weight of you job/company on your shoulders, struggling with insecurities, learning to trust others, growing into yourself as a leader? This book is for all of us. Grateful to have a voice speaking up about what's really going on and telling the story of how she navigated the waters and grew from it. This book is a quick and powerful read!