Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Imperfect Courage summary
Jessica Honegger
Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared
22 mins
Brief summary
Imperfect Courage by Jessica Honegger is a memoir that teaches readers to live bravely in a world filled with fear. Through her own journey, Honegger emphasizes the importance of taking imperfect action towards one's dreams while recognizing the value of community support.
Table of Contents
Imperfect Courage
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
The author found her courage and launched Noonday while pursuing a dream of international adoption.
Jessica Honegger never intended to start Noonday, her jewelry and fashion business; it all kind of happened by accident. What she initially intended to do was adopt a child.
Years earlier, on a trip to Africa, she held a young child, orphaned after her parents died from AIDS, in her arms. From that moment on, she knew in her heart that the next step for her family would be, eventually, to adopt.
Unfortunately, international adoption is expensive, and just at the time their plan for adoption was coming together, the housing market collapsed. Since she and her husband were making a living from refurbishing and reselling properties, their income disappeared too. Honegger needed a side hustle, and she needed it now.
She remembered that friends of hers in Uganda had been bemoaning the fact that two incredible local artists, Jalia and Daniel Matovu, a husband and wife team, had no way of selling their artisan crafts for a price their work deserved.
Honegger made a decision. She would host a sale for the Matovus’ products to friends and family back in Austin, as well as clothes from her own closet and anything else she could find. She wasn’t sure whether it would work; in fact, she was slightly afraid none of her friends would turn up to her sale, and of what people would think of her.
But it worked. Her friends showed up. They cared about her journey toward adoption and were captivated by the connections between fashion and impact, style and history, profit and purpose that came together in the sale of these beautiful Ugandan objects. After an hour, Honegger had sold almost everything.
That night, she realized she was on to something. Her first sale led to a second, and a third. She emailed the Matovus asking for more stock while wiring money back to them.
Honegger had no experience in business, but she had a whole lot of courage - the courage to stand up and pursue what she cared about. With the help of friends and a little common sense, she turned her hustle into an international business employing and supporting, among others, thousands of women in the United States and around the world. And what started as a dream for adoption later turned into a reality, as the following year, the Honeggers welcomed Rwandan orphan Jack Honegger into their home.
Want to see all full key ideas from Imperfect Courage?
Key ideas in Imperfect Courage
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Imperfect Courage about?
In Imperfect Courage (2018), Jessica Honegger shares inspiring stories from her purposeful life as an entrepreneur. She describes how she built a hugely successful fair-trade jewelry and fashion business by connecting artisans in developing countries with women across the United States. She also shares how, in doing so, she broke out of her comfort zone, found new reserves of courage and is pursuing a fulfilling, purposeful life.
Imperfect Courage Review
Imperfect Courage (2018) is a powerful memoir that not only explores the author's personal journey but also offers valuable insights on stepping out of our comfort zones and living a purposeful life. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with heartfelt stories and relatable experiences, it inspires us to overcome obstacles and embrace courageous action.
- Through authentic vulnerability and candid reflections, Jessica Honegger encourages readers to pursue their dreams, even when faced with fear and doubt.
- The book's perspective on female entrepreneurship and social impact resonates with modern times, making it a compelling read for those eager to make a difference.
Best quote from Imperfect Courage
Imperfect courage is the only kind I possessed, but it was courage nonetheless.
—Jessica Honegger
Who should read Imperfect Courage?
- Anyone who believes in global sisterhood
- Entrepreneurs with a purpose
- People who want to test the limits of their own courage
Categories with Imperfect Courage
Book summaries like Imperfect Courage
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Imperfect Courage FAQs
What is the main message of Imperfect Courage?
The main message of Imperfect Courage is to embrace our imperfections and take bold actions towards creating a better world.
How long does it take to read Imperfect Courage?
The reading time for Imperfect Courage varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Imperfect Courage a good book? Is it worth reading?
Imperfect Courage is worth reading as it inspires us to step out of our comfort zones and make a positive impact, empowering us to be courageous in every aspect of our lives.
Who is the author of Imperfect Courage?
The author of Imperfect Courage is Jessica Honegger.
What to read after Imperfect Courage?
If you're wondering what to read next after Imperfect Courage, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Brave by Margie Warrell
- Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday
- Tracking Wonder by Jeffrey Davis
- What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? by Michal Oshman
- Lessons in Stoicism by John Sellars
- Job Therapy by Tessa West
- Uncommon by Mark Divine
- The Courage Habit by Kate Swoboda
- The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
- The Discomfort Zone by Marcia Reynolds