Customer Reviews

Free From Corporate America - A Tactical Guide to Success On Your Own Terms

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I read this book. Read it again. And then I read certain parts again. The more I dug into the book, the more wisdom and insight I found. I have seen his other book about terrible resumes, which is side-splitting funny and very helpful at the same time. I don't know what I was expecting exactly from this book, but in the end, it has really made a powerful impression. At first, while recognizing the well written and entertaining style, I thought it was maybe simplistic and a bit critical. I underestimated it. The ideas are provocative and articulated directly, but ring true and challenge me to think about some of the limiting ways I define my work life. The critical aspect, with closer reading and reflection, turned to something positive, soulful, and inspiring. This is not another "get rich quick" book--unless by richness you are measuring your well being and sense of integrity. It is also not a recipe for a quick fix, but a deeper invitation to make the most of your time in forward thinking ways. While not a recipe, it certainly has some very practical and realistic advice about the time commitments I make. At first I wrongly thought this book was another "start your own business rant" but found it something much deeper--about defining a way to live with an entrepreneurial spirit regardless of what cell you inhabit. To that end it would also be a mistake to see this as only a book about business--again the implications are far deeper. For example, in speaking about ownership he says: "Ownership, to me, implies taking full responsibility for your life, claiming the upside of who you can become, and enduring the risk that is required to have a shot at a life beyond the ordinary." That sounds like a message for my children as much as a message for a CEO.

David Sullivan, Ed.M.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I've read many personal improvement / business books, with my all time favorites being Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't. To give a brief background: I have worked for large corporations in menial and management positions and I have run my own companies from retail to service to software development to online.

I was a bit concerned that I was too 'advanced' to get much out of Mr. Reed's book, since I am already an entrepreneur and I have not worked for someone else - much less a big company - for over a decade. I'm happy to say that I was wrong. Much of his advice was still right on the mark, and there were multiple times that I set down the book to reflect on how his suggestions and challenges applied to my situation.

Another reason that I so strongly recommend this book is because I agree with the early steps that he proposes for getting yourself moving. I recognize many of them from my own experiences and would have greatly valued reading this a decade ago as it would have guided me away from some mistakes that I made.

Finally, it is refreshing to read a book by an author that does not hold him or herself up as a paragon of perfection. Mr. Reed comes across as very down to earth and keen-sighted about what has worked for him and what has been a struggle. The advice all feels more relevant with it being based so clearly in Mr. Reed's actual experiences instead of some sanitized version of them.

Heavily recommended. Enjoy!

It took me two years to free myself from Corporate America. I'm not sure if the author, Jon Reed, knows or appreciates the power of the advice he gives, but I personally feel a gigantic debt of gratitude for Jon that I'm sure I'll never be able to adequately communicate - much less repay. So Jon, thank you for this book and thank you for the freedom your ideas have given me.


P.S.

If you're still working for "the man" I suggest you read this book and take Mr. Reed's words to heart. If they worked for me, they can work for you, too.

Having lived the life of an IT freelancer for over 17 years I have pulled a wool off the corporate shysters myself. Taking projects that nobody wanted but making sure that I charge them adequately for my trouble. I have seen MANY borderline frauds turning into huge multi million dollar projects with the employees getting stuck between the rock and the hard place. The only safe venue was the freelancers who, hopefully could get the crumbs and leave on their own terms. A freelancer is always prepared to get to the next gig anyway, while the poor sap, employee is who lives in the illusion and pipe dream of trickle down economics, gets fired. "When you know that you are going to fall, it is wise to sit down beforehand."
Kudos for the book, 5-stars.

A few chapters into reading Free From Corporate America, I set the book down and immediately called the author, Jon Reed. "You've re-ignited some sputtering flames." I told him. "For six years I've walked the path your book lays out yet my ambitions, and the projects necessary to carry them forward, lately, felt moribund."

Completing Jon's book infused me anew with endurance, belief in my plans, and a commitment to executing them the only way possible; day after day after day.

Free From Corporate America is filled with nuggets of wisdom balanced by practical advice. By revealing much of his own journey, Jon simultaneously stokes the fires of entrepreneurial ambition, while exposing the mud that will douse it. He leavens the taste of great possibility with the realities of an unforgiving market place. All the while, reminding me of a super-guide saying:

"C'mon camper, let's strike out. Our trek won't be easy, but I know you can do it. It'll be rough, you may want to quit, but you'll make it! You won't regret setting forth. I know you can succeed. I promise you'll love the view, and I'll be with you every glorious, difficult step of the way."

If you'd value someone whispering that in your ear while you seek your freedom, read Free From Corporate America!


J. Sheldon Snodgrass, MBA
[...]
Less Worry. More Sales. More Money

Rare is the author who will bare his or her soul in the non-fiction/business space. Most publishers prefer anodyne books that espose the "ten steps to do X" or the "twelve mistakes to avoid when doing Y." These safe books often miss their marks and overstate the ease with which one can start a company, increase sales, etc.

Jon's book doesn't fall into that trap. His eminently personal style and examples stand in stark contrast to the aforementioned books. Reed isn't afraid to admit past missteps and mistakes. Jon's spot-on when he describes the myth of security in working for a big corporation, something about which I know a great deal.

Kudos to Reed for having the courage to write a politically incorrect book rife with so much practical advice. The question for the potential reader of this book is: Are you courage enough to take it?

I bought this for my son who is crafting an entrepreneurial life for himself after the company he worked for was sold. I started scanning it before giving it to him and had to read the entire book - for myself! I am happily retired but found so many concepts in Jon's book that were wise and empowering - made me feel like I wanted to start a business! I also want to buy copies for my older grandkids as they are starting out in their adult lives. Most valuable and really funny book! Buy it!