Make Your Own Rules: A Renegade Guide to Unconventional Success [Hardcover]

Wayne Rogers (Author), Josh Young (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2011

It's hardly a secret that the corporate ladder is no longer the path to success it once was. Wayne Rogers star of the classic TV series M*A*S*H* has had even more success as a businessman and entrepreneur than as an actor. Applying his own unique viewpoint to a wide range of businesses (a restaurant, a vineyard, a chain of convenience stores, the world of banking, real estate, a film distribution company, and even a famous bridal boutique), the iconoclastic star has steadfastly refused to accept limitations, and boldly forged a path for himself beyond the stifling constraints of the corporate system. Filled with insights and engaging stories, Make Your Own Rules paints a fascinating portrait of how Rogers excelled precisely because he didn't have prior experience in each of these businesses! or any preconceived notions of how they should be run. Rogers reveals the keys to his success over the past four decades lessons that are even more important today. After all, in the current economic climate, learning to be creative, challenge convention, and seize unexpected oppor tunities is not only liberating it can make all the difference to success. Anyone who yearns to succeed without the burdens of corporate culture can thrive outside the establishment. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small business owner, changing careers, or just entering the workforce, Make Your Own Rules delivers the inspiration and guidance you need to climb the ladder of your choice.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his first effort Rogers says he doesn't read business books and doesn't want to tell readers how to succeed; he wants to lead by example. Writing with Young (Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me), Rogers suggests we learn from history and eschew being different or moderns unless there's a good reason. This is solid advice but also emphasizes the only renegade element here: the byline. Rogers, who starred in the TV show M*A*S*H*, peppers his tales of success in real estate, restaurants, retail, and other areas with Hollywood memories and anecdotes. He begins with an overview and history of today's business world, helpful to the average reader but likely common knowledge to the business hopeful who picks this up. In 10 chapters, Rogers chronicles his business adventures, pausing often to relay the tips he picked up along the way: know what you're up against, find people you can work with, cast off conventions, do your homework, be open to unexpected opportunities, and so on. Rogers's book is far more successful, and often entertaining, as the memoir of an actor-turned-entrepreneur than the guide it claims to be.
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From Booklist

Rogers, entrepreneur extraordinaire, recounts the lessons he learned that ensured his success in numerous businesses over 40 years, with the central theme that he had no prior experience in any of those fields. His approach, therefore, was creative rather than administrative since he had no well-accepted rules to follow and lacked both a supposed road map to success and a we�ve always done it this way mentality. The authors cover topics that include how to compete in our monopolistic environment�for example, big government with regulations, big banks with all the money, and big corporations with political influence�the value of creativity, which means imagination plus reason (but without fantasy) and curiosity, or fostering an inquisitive mind to keep learning; how to be well prepared by doing your homework and seeking out customers for advice; and always being passionate about your work. The authors quote Eric Hoffer, longshoreman philosopher: Man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities. Thoughtful advice for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. --Mary Whaley

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (February 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814416578
• ISBN-13: 978-0814416570
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Insightful, February 2, 2011

By 

John Chancellor "Mentor coach" (Spring Hill, TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Make Your Own Rules: A Renegade Guide to Unconventional Success (Hardcover)

My previous exposure to Wayne Rogers was from his role as "Trapper" in Mash. So I was totally surprised to see a serious business book co-authored by him.

The first thing that you will learn is that Wayne Rogers has had a rather remarkable business career. He has been in the real estate development business, part owner of a professional sports team, a winery, produced Broadway plays, owned a wedding dress business and various other businesses. You might be tempted to think that he got into many of these business deals because he was a famous actor and other people were simply after his money and name. But you would be wrong.

It is not uncommon for celebrities to invest money in many different businesses. But far too many celebrity investors lose their money because they lack the business skills necessary to make sound investments. The remarkable thing about Wayne (I have trouble calling him Mr. Rogers - it doesn't sound right) is the high degree of success he has experienced with each business he invested in. In most all cases he played a rather active role in the businesses. While he generally was not in charge of day to day operations, we was not a passive investor.

The book traces his life and business experience. In the process of telling his story, he gives the general principals and lessons he learned and how he applied them to achieve his remarkable success. It makes for very interesting reading. I must admit that I would never have pictured "Trapper" as a serious and successful businessman.

He also shares his philosophy of life and raises some concern about how big government and big business are threatening our way of life.

It is easy to read the book and think that success was easy for him because he had access to opportunities which would never be available to the average person. In one sense that is true. But he was always building valuable relationships and was always open to and looking for opportunities. He took great care to make sure he was getting into business with the right people and everyone had some "skin in the game".

If you are a serious student of business you probably will not learn anything new. But it is always good to have lessons reinforced. If you are not a seasoned businessperson, you will learn some valuable insights on being successful.

The book is very easy to read. You will see a different side of Wayne Rogers that you probably did not know existed. I would say it is a bit more entertaining than informing. All in all a good, fun read with some valuable lessons.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells It Like It Really Is, January 16, 2011

By 

Michael P. Gallagher (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Make Your Own Rules (Kindle Edition)

I heard Mr. Rogers speak at a convention in Las Vegas in November 2010, and he touted his upcoming book. I enjoyed his speech, and promptly put in a pre-order for the Kindle version - I was not disappointed in the content.

If you have paid attention to current events, or are a student of history, what Mr. Rogers imparts in this book will not be new to you. What I did find refreshing, however, is he is able to boil it down to an everyman's language vs. what you would expect to find from an economist. Basically, Rogers gives you real life examples of his own business and entertainment experiences with practical advice: if you are going to operate in today's economic environment, you have to "learn some of the rules of the road to success," the free-market economy isn't free but way over-regulated, and you had better understand it if you want to succeed.

Of course, he also gives you some great advice on how to change a lot of the regulation. One can only hope! I'm looking forward to hearing more from Mr. Rogers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some Great Lessons from a Man with a Lot of Small Business and Investment Experience, June 2, 2011

By 

Karl @ The Startup Daily "Ideas for Entrepren... (Stamford, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Make Your Own Rules: A Renegade Guide to Unconventional Success (Hardcover)

The number and breadth of investments and experiences Wayne Rogers has had in his lifetime is impressive. This book touches on a lot of topics but is most interesting for the great lessons in business.

Right from the start I was won over by his description of how entrepreneurship is a creative enterprise. Corporate businessmen are skilled at administration. Entrepreneurial businessmen are skilled at creative problem solving.
There is a real advantage to those who aren't afraid to dive into businesses and industries they know nothing about. Those who are "in the business" are bound by "we have always done things this way", while a set of fresh eyes can ask "Why" and "Why not?"

A few other insights I enjoyed:

When choosing partners: "No skin, no deal." Everyone should have skin in the game and something to loose.

The cost of indecision is greater than the cost of making the wrong decision.

On buying distressed properties and businesses (his specialty): "Well bought is half-sold"

"A sure sign that someone is about to go under is that he becomes more grandiose."


The chapter on the banking industry is a nice bonus. As founding shareholder of six banks, Wayne Rogers has testified before U.S. Congress on multiple occasions, fighting hard against the repeal of the Glass-Steagall act that many attribute to be the cause of the recent financial crisis. Although his conclusion that more and smaller banks is the solution may be self-serving, my gut tells me he is right on the money here. Too Big to Fail is Too Big to Exist