In 2006, while working as a campus safety host at Academy of Art University, Amoruso launched an eBay store based in San Francisco, selling old pieces of clothing.

[11] By 2012, the online retailer employed approximately 110 people and had opened an additional distribution center in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, while its 2011 revenue reached $24 million, marking an 11,200% three-year growth rate.

[citation needed] Waterson, formerly president of Nasty Gal, became partners with Amoruso to evolve its retail presence on a larger scale.

[13] Waterson also joined the Nasty Gal board of directors alongside Amoruso and Index Ventures partner, Danny Rimer.

[17][18] In 2015, a lawsuit was filed accusing Nasty Gal of allegedly firing four employees because of pregnancy, in violation of California laws.

[19] It has faced criticism online in a variety of publications due to its allegedly "toxic" work environment and numerous negative reviews on Glassdoor from unhappy employees.

[24] In September 2012, Nasty Gal debuted its first Fall/Winter 2012 Collection, Weird Science, during New York Fashion Week.

[32] Contributors and photographers for the first issue included Terry Richardson, Hugh Lippe, Jeff Hahn, Alexandra Richards, Syd tha Kyd, Langley Hemingway, and Girls writer Lesley Arfin.

[33] The second issue was in spring 2013 and included Kesh, model Sidney Williams, Io Echo, Haley Wollens, Phoebe Collings-James, Charli XCX, and Akiko Matsuura.