I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing on You! Business Secrets from the Ultimate Street-Smart Entrepreneur [Hardcover]

Jake Steinfeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2005

Jake Steinfeld has seen a lot of big-name celebrities naked - that is, "stripped" of the trappings of fame and fortune. He has learned what makes successful people tick and he has used that knowledge to turn a personal training business into a premiere fitness product brand, a 24-hour fitness television network, a professional sports league and instant recognition everywhere he goes. This book is "Business by Jake." "I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing On You" is an eye-opening success story and an entrepreneur's toolkit - combined with a motivational kick in the "buttissimo" that is pure Jake!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After a brief career in professional bodybuilding, Jake Steinfeld found his calling in helping others pump themselves up. Beginning as a personal trainer to Hollywood celebrities, he soon started his remarkably successful Body by Jake brand of health and fitness programs. Now he hopes to motivate readers to start their own businesses. His experience of learning on the fly and following his instincts led him to believe that street-smart, self-taught entrepreneurs like him have a unique perspective on starting, running, and growing a business that MBA teachers and graduates don’t have. And he must be on to something--in addition to his workout videos and exercise products, he also started a 24-hour fitness television network (that he later sold for $500 million), a profession lacrosse league, and many other ventures.

In a humorous, down-to-earth way, Steinfeld offers practical tips on writing a business plan, building a team of partners, hiring and training employees, securing start-up money, branding and marketing, and even working with philanthropic organizations. Though the information he offers is not groundbreaking, the way he tells his own success story should inspire would-be entrepreneurs. Steinfeld obviously loves what he does and his enthusiasm is contagious. He wants people to not just build a career, but to build a life; something that makes them excited to go to work, or better yet, to not think of it as work at all. Breezy and fun to read, the book strives to help people find their motivation, pick a goal, learn from failures, and most importantly, never quit. Good advice for business or any other pursuit. --Shawn Carkonen

From Publishers Weekly

Here's a book where the title really sets the tone—as the reader quickly learns, the fitness trainer and Body by Jake founder really has seen a lot of famous people naked (or at least in their workout clothes), including Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford. Of course, Steinfeld's point is that everyone is pretty much the same underneath it all, and therefore business success is attainable to anyone willing to put in some dedicated effort. Indeed, Steinfeld himself proves an exemplary role model. Working his way up from an early career in bodybuilding, he started a personal training business that has since expanded to include a line of fitness products and a 24-hour cable station. While the book's business start-up advice is basic and sometimes gets bogged down in details like how to register a Web site domain name, Steinfeld really hits his stride in the second half, where he talks about branding and marketing. Steinfeld's goofy sense of humor also adds a down-to-earth honesty to the book and makes it a worthwhile read for those who need to get pumped up about starting a business. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (September 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408605
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408605
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,103,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Informative!, September 19, 2005

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing on You! Business Secrets from the Ultimate Street-Smart Entrepreneur (Hardcover)

Jake Steinfeld is a man with a mission and it screams from the pages of his new book, I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing On You! His mission is living life ,and not in survival mode as many do, but in fulfillment of dreams, visions and hopes.
In his book he takes you on a mini journey of his life and his rise to fame. He shares with you fears, mistakes and triumphs that he encountered along the way; and he does this in a sincere honest manner that leaves you comfortable with the author and the information that he is sharing.
The main thrust of this book is to help you achieve the dream in your heart to be your own boss; look forward to going to work, and have more than a get-by existence, all the while doing something you love. His business start-up advice is top-notch, very detailed and given with a few giggles along the way. He leaves very little details out, giving much needed steps to proceed, shares advise from his heart and his words truly inspire you to charge forward.

I know that this work was mainly written to help hopeful Entrepreneurs; yet I sense others maybe encouraged by Mr. Steinfeld's words in many areas of their lives. It is always refreshing when you read a success story of someone who started out with little and ended up with much; and it is sweeter when that person also is content and happy as Mr. Steinfeld is.
Whether you are about to undertake a new venture in business, take a leap of faith towards your dreams or just want to smile at the success of another; this book will encourage and uplift you.
A down-to-earth, face to face read awaits you in these pages and I think everyone who reads it will find at least one morsel of advise to apply in their own lives. Well done Mr. Steinfeld
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Truth, November 7, 2005

By 

P. King (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing on You! Business Secrets from the Ultimate Street-Smart Entrepreneur (Hardcover)

I have to admit I was a little skeptical when I first glanced at this book --What could a fitness guru teach me about business? But when I actually started reading, I was not only pleasantly surprised, I was truly inspired. Jake Steinfeld is a master story teller and he is not afraid to reveal EVERYTHING he's learned about business--the good, the bad and even the embarrassing! Jake's honesty and humor is reason enough to buy this book!

It's obvious Jake knows what he's talking about--You don't remain on top for as long as Jake has without knowing a thing or two about people, business and making smart decisions.

The guy has made me a believer...and that's saying a lot!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Everyday Advice From Jake!, November 15, 2005

By 

Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing on You! Business Secrets from the Ultimate Street-Smart Entrepreneur (Hardcover)

Despite the catchy title and Jake Steinfelds fitness past the book I've Seen A Lot Of Famous People Naked isn't a weight loss guide. Even a recent feature in Star Magazine failed to mention this important fact. Steinfeld is a self-made millionaire and in this book he offers real life advice to people who wish to become entrepreneurs. As a matter of fact the books subtitle is "Business Secrets From The Ultimate Street-Smart Entrepreneur." As other reviewers have mentioned the advice is basic such as--do something the interests you and pick a partner you can live with. However, some of the information in the book can be quite helpful to the aspiring entrepreneur who might think they know everything. Steinfeld offers the suggestion of when you go to the bank know exactly how much money you need and be prepared to detail how you will pay back money. Granted a lot of the information in the book is so called getting started in business common sense but if you are just getting started and need a road map I've Seen A Lot Of Famous People Naked is a great book to follow when you are getting started with your business venture.