Skip to Main Content

Making Waves

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

Published by Post Hill Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

This is not your typical hero’s journey. Making Waves is the inspiring story of the challenges and seemingly insurmountable mountains a resilient woman faced while running and launching her startup.

Ten years of riding the startup waves forced Helaine to develop grit, determination, resilience, creative problem solving, deep interpersonal skills, and her own unique leadership style. Now, she’s ready to show other women how they can do the same.

With Making Waves, Helaine inspires and speaks to women who want to start something new and change their lives. If she can do it, so can they.

Not enough people are talking about how difficult it is to be a woman in business. Business is not a “man’s world” anymore—it’s different, emotional, and difficult.

As an in-the-spotlight female entrepreneur, Helaine Knapp navigated the twists, pivots and multiple points of rock bottom, each time finding a way over and through.

Helaine’s experiences transformed her into the person who could run a multi-faceted company…and start a movement.

But being a trailblazer who breaks the cycle isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. In fact, most of it is quite the opposite—it’s crying big tears, facing uncertainty, encountering problem after problem, and ultimately recognizing that “success” may just be admitting things aren't working and knowing it’s time to move on. The end will surprise you.

About The Author

Helaine is the Founder & CEO of CITYROW, well renowned speaker, investor, advisor and industry leader.

While hustling start-ups in NYC in the early 2010’s Helaine fell hard for group fitness classes. A lower back injury forced her to find a workout that was low impact, but super effective. After a friend suggested rowing, Helaine initially rejected it as something “my dad did in college,” but following a few workouts and pairing it with strength work changed her mind and the concept for CITYROW was born.

Under Knapp’s leadership, with a mission of delivering a smart, fun, and effective workout to all fitness levels, CITYROW grew from one studio in New York City to a national fitness brand featuring at-home rowers, premium streaming content and a nationwide franchise system.

Knapp is sought after for media and has been featured on TODAY, Women’s Health, ABC, Harper’s Bazaar, Shape, Well + Good, Vogue, Yahoo! Finance and PEOPLE, among many others.

www.helaineknapp.com for more information.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Post Hill Press (June 18, 2024)
  • Length: 192 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798888453667

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

Making Waves is a heartfelt journey of resilience and empowerment. I was so touched by the honesty and vulnerability Helaine shared around all the challenges she faced while building her startup over a decade. This is more than a story; it's a true testament to her strength and resilience—a heartfelt narrative that will resonate with many.”

– Alli Webb, Founder of Drybar

“Helaine is honest, funny, authentic and has stories that WILL change the way you think about entrepreneurship. If you are even thinking about starting a business or a side-hustle you must read this book first.”

– Vanessa Van Edwards, Bestselling Author of Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication

“For anyone that wants a demystified view of life as an entrepreneur, with extreme highs and lows, this book is for you.”

– Dan Reich, 4x Exited Founder, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor, and Writer

"In Making Waves, Helaine Knapp inspires us to rise above our doubts, dare to dream big, and fight like hell against the endless headwinds of running a scrappy startup. It's a story about ingenuity, resilience, and keeping your oars in the water no matter what."

– Edward Sullivan, CEO of Velocity Coaching and Best Selling Author of Leading with Heart

“I can’t wait for Making Waves. It’s a guide for all women in business with plenty of inspirational and unconventional stories along the way.”

– Esther Perel

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images