Customer Reviews

The Carey Formula: Your Ideas Are Worth Millions

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If I had noticed that this book was self-published before I purchased it, I would have been a lot more doubtful of the hype. If you also purchase it, you'll find out why they call it "vanity" publishing. You'll also be out $20 for a book with little or no useful business information for anyone looking to start out on a solid footing.

There are a few good tips scattered among the pages, but they are hard to find in the overwhelming mass of irrelevant personal life flashbacks and over-hyped "reviews" of her methods supplied by her close friends. Look closely at the cover, and you'll notice that she had the chutzpah to quote HERSELF on the front of the book, making it appear as if it were someone else extolling the virtues of her book. Most authors who want to put their own words on the cover do so without quote marks, and without the implication that this is someone else's opinion of their work.

Given her propensity to use herself and her close friends to supply us with reasons to buy this book, I am very suspicious of the source of the glowing reviews posted on Amazon and elsewhere. Caveat emptor on this one.

Let me save you the money and give you basics of "The Carey Formula" up front 1) Sell your product to some fool before you actually build it; 2) Be pushy about it; 3) Don't be afraid to use physical attraction to accomplish 1). In her own words: "And some advice to you men; don't ever underestimate the power of a determined and smart business-woman. She knows exactly what you respond to and she is not afraid to use it!"

If that is the kind of advice you are looking for to advance your business aspirations, then by all means send this woman another $20. If you want to learn some solid business principles instead, there are plenty of great business books that are available from reputable publishers and authors who are trying to do more than sell themselves.

"Where do I begin?" Boy, that sure has double meaning. Most entrepeneurs ask themselves "where do I begin?". I ask myself "where do I begin" to tell you about this great book, that tells you "where to begin"? Well first of all, there's only one way to tell a good book from a great book. Good books are usually read just once. But great books are read over and over again. And that's exactly what you'll do with Barbara's book. The first time you read it you'll forget that you're reading a business guide. Instead, you'll be wrapped up in the excitement, the challenges, the fears, the triumphs and the humor of the heroin's life and her rise to the top of the business world. It will be hard to put this book down. You'll think you're reading a mystery novel. But this book is no novel. Everything that Barbara went thru, all the ups and downs, are true. They really happened. And I think that's why I related so well to her story. Her life and mine mirrored each other in many ways. And I'm sure most people who read her book will say the same. Barbara is definitely one of us. She's had the same fears, the same obstacles and the same dissapointments as we've all had. But thru sheer will power, drive and a "never say no" attitude she has succeeded. And has done so many, many times. This book is a great read just to hear her story.

The second time you read it, you'll realize how very different this book is from all the other "self help" books which try and inspire you to follow your dreams and become a big success. Most of those are written in very general or abstract terms and after the initial inspirational glow has worn off you're still wondering "where do I begin?" This is where the others stop and Barbara takes over. Her book is a step by step guide. An owner's manual. A template on how to come up with ideas, how to manufacture them, how to promote them and how to sell them. I've never seen so much detailed information compiled in one book on the whole inventing/entrepenural process. You will realize over and over again how valuable this information is.

And the third time you read this book, you'll know that Barbara really cares about sharing all the blessings she's received in life. She truly is a business women with a heart. She's the only one I've read in recent years who teaches that high moral standards do have a place in the business world. And she's proof. She's also a great writer and funny too! Her words of isnpiration alone would be worth the price of this book. But there's so much more. I highly recommend it.....for everyone!

In my opinion this book does not give out enough information to help a beginner interested in developing their own product. It did not include the CD so maybe there is more information there. Otherwise the book is mainly talking about her accomplishments.

This is a well written guide for the budding Idea Person. Barbara has done it all and tells you how to do it. Should be on your MBA reading list!

What do you need if you think you have the next new thing? You better know how to tell a story. Barbara Carey has the keys to success, she can tell a story, she is smart and she is unafraid. I was asked to read this book for a review. Frankly, I did not expect to like it and was pleasantly surprised when I did. In the world of entrepreneurs it's easy to fail even when you have the right dream or idea. So, when someone like Barbara Carey comes along who hits it out of the park time after time, you want to know why. She tells you step by step.

In a complex and rapidly changing world every opportunity to level your playing field is a must. This is a well done book by a rare and talented author, speaker, and inventor entrepreneur. You will learn many things they don't teach you at Harvard business school. Most importantly how to tell a story and to gain the confidence you'll need to conquer the fears that go with the territory. If you're smart and looking for success in business there is much to learn from this book.

The Carey Formula reminded me of the best selling real estate entrepreneur's handbook "Winning through Intimidation" by Robert Ringer. Ringer's stories were over the top, memorable, and rare. Carey has a similar style and both were laugh out loud funny and inspiring. When you're young, how do you start with nothing, desperate and broke, and mold a dream into a $40 million company? Carey tells you in this book--from shoveling horse manure for pennies as a kid and saving money to buy her first horse to making millions as a business woman and selling over a 100 products around the world.

Lots of information if you want to start your own business or create new products.

I woke up at 3am and turned on the tv to find The Carey Formula. I didn't take it seriously but watched for a few minutes, anyway. Then I began googling Barbara Carey, The Carey Formula, and all other combinations I could think of. Hmm. Nothing negative. That's weird for an "infommercial".

This evening I stopped at Borders and found a copy of The Carey Formula. Suddenly I realized I had been sitting there for almost 30 minutes mesmerized by a book I hadn't even paid for yet! Embarrassed, I paid for the book, went upstairs for a coffee and then read for another hour. Then I kicked myself for not ordering on tv last night when I could have gotten the CD library and all that goes with it for just a little more than the cost of the book. On the way home I called two friends and my son to tell them to pick up the book. It's worth its weight in gold.

I learned more about business just in the time at Borders than in all my experience in years past.

If your business isn't a success, you have no one to blame but yourself. Barbara Carey's 'The Carey Formula' lays it all out for you in an entertaining, easy to read business plan. I look forward to telling her about my success in the near future - in the form of a thank you note. God bless you, Barbara.

One of the best ways to learn is to walk in the footsteps of a successful person. In this book, Barbara Carey takes you on her journey to entrepreneurship. She includes everything, even moments when she felt venerable and afraid, and, of course, moments of success and triumph. There's a lot to be learned from this book, not from bullet points, but from her example. Read this book with an open-mind and you will get a lot from it. A good exercise to do as you're reading the book is to imagine yourself as Barbara Carey. Think what you would do in her situation. How would you try harder, or would you give up? Then see how she creatively, time and time again, invents a creative solution and turn her dilemma into keys to success.

The lessons are in the stories of her journey. There is a nice insert at the end of the book that summarizes her keys to success, the Carey Formula, along with a portfolio of her inventions. It's a great quick guide, and an excellent source of inspiration.

I reread this book once in a while, and each time I get something more from it. Keep it by your side, and refer to it when you get stuck.

I would recommend this book for anyone who's wants to start a business, or want to that their idea to the next level.

Barbara Carey does an Amazing job of taking you to the exact moment and the exact place where momentous shifts happen. The thing I like best about her book:

-Detail; incredible detail about how she made things happen, the decisions she made, and what went through her mind to get there. Even the stories of how she brought home a baby sheep and the emotions of why that happened.

-Inspiration; if you've ever wondered how do you get out of a situation into another one, Barbara tells her stories of how did with her life...even enduring a year at IBM as part of her plan and goal and the serendipitous moment on a beach that got her to IBM

-The success and the failure; most books talk only about success, but we learn the most from our mistakes and Barbara shares hers with us too.

An open book. A Great book you shouldn't miss reading.

This book is a fantastic read! It is inspiring and funny. I've had so many *great* product ideas over the years but have never had the confidence or know-how to even try to bring one to market. I assumed that it would take enormous amounts of capital and connections, until I read The Carey Formula. Barbara Carey lays out the basic principles of getting started - and how to do it with little or no money. It doesn't read like a dry business book, but it is just as informative. I highly recommend it for anyone who has an idea for a product, but hasn't known how to get started.