It Sure Beats Working: 29 Quirky Stories and Practical Business Lessons for The First-Time, Mid-Life, Solo Professional [Paperback]

Michael J. Katz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2007

Clearly written and experience-based, this quirky book overflows with practical insights, and is a must read for anyone taking a first step in starting a solo business. Part roadmap, part inspiration and laced with wit and authenticity throughout, Katz shares his own story as a first-time, mid-life, solo professional.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An award-winning humorist, entrepreneur and recovering corporate marketer, Michael Katz translates his unique view of everyday life into useful, authentic and entertaining business insights. As Founder and Chief Penguin of Blue Penguin Development, Inc., Michael is a recognized expert in the development of electronic newsletters, and helps clients significantly increase sales by showing them how to build on their existing relationships. Since launching Blue Penguin in 2000, Michael has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Business Week Online, Bloomberg TV, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and other national and local media. He is the author of three books, and has published over 175 issues of his “E-Newsletter on E-Newsletters,” a biweekly with 5,000 passionate subscribers in over 40 countries around the world. Michael has an MBA from Boston University and a BA in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal. He also has a second degree black belt in karate (Kempo), a first degree black belt in parenting (three children), and is a past winner of the New England Press Association award for "Best Humor Columnist."

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (July 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419670654
• ISBN-13: 978-1419670657
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,965,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read for the solo professional or wannabee., August 10, 2007

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Phoenix "Phoenix" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It Sure Beats Working: 29 Quirky Stories and Practical Business Lessons for The First-Time, Mid-Life, Solo Professional (Paperback)

This may be the first of it's kind. Katz draws on his personal successful experience as a solo professional while adding the type of humor that makes you laugh but also makes a point. Each "quirky story" educates and motivates in very practical and useful ways. If you aren't one yet, this just may be the book to get you thinking about taking the leap.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice and hysterically funny!, August 23, 2007

By 

D. Breen - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It Sure Beats Working: 29 Quirky Stories and Practical Business Lessons for The First-Time, Mid-Life, Solo Professional (Paperback)

As a solo professional I'm always looking for "the" book that is a quick read with great advice. This is it! This is the kind of book that will never make it to the bookshelf. My already dog-eared copy will live on my desk and serve as a reference when I need inspiration and comic relief when I just need a break. The perfect gift for the seasoned entrepreneur and a must read for those just starting out!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking of leaving your job, or you have recently joined the ranks of solo professional, this book is a must for you, October 7, 2007

By 

Carl Valeri "CarlValeri.com" (Basking Ridge, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It Sure Beats Working: 29 Quirky Stories and Practical Business Lessons for The First-Time, Mid-Life, Solo Professional (Paperback)

Michael Katz, in his book "It Sure Beats Working: 29 Quirky Stories and Practical Business Lessons for the First-time, Mid-Life, Solo Professional", made me feel as if I was involved in a personal conversation with the author through his journey towards becoming a solo professional. While reading, I laughed and shook my head in affirmation while Katz recounted stories which included starting a business, and the lessons he learned while growing his business. Katz candidly divulges his true feelings and experiences, while letting the reader learn from his trials and successes.

Michael began his adult life as most of us do, graduating collage and working for a large corporation. As many working professionals can relate, he discovered working in a large company was not his true direction in life. If you are stuck in a cubicle hard at work and are trying to avoid the political drama at work, you will share his angst when he speaks of attending unproductive meetings and his yearning to leave a boring job.

Katz attained his goal of leaving his "secure" job with a large company and striking out on his own. If you are thinking of leaving your job, or you have recently joined the ranks of solo professional, this book is a must for you. The greatest benefit to the reader is the authors ability to candidly tell us his experience, and make the reader realize he is not alone in his struggle to make it in the world as a solo professional.

Since I am also a mid-life individual who changed course in his professional life, I felt as if he was speaking directly to me, although I can't relate to his struggle with baldness. My hair is all there, but has turned gray.

The chapter I enjoy most is entitled "Become a Leading Expert in Something". Michael Katz is an expert in development of electronic newsletters, and one day found himself with a client who was a life coach. This life coach had lived the majority of her life with chronic illness, but had not capitalized on her uniqueness in raising a family and building a successful career while battling this illness. Michael while consulting with the life coach on a newsletter was able to refocus her efforts and declare her new expertise. Now the life coach can be defined as an expert in the field of thriving in the workplace while having a chronic illness.

If you are on the fence thinking of starting your own business you will enjoy his "10 Really Good Reasons to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business". Some of the top ten reasons I enjoyed include: dancing to your own music, never having to retire, and finding your purpose.

This book is typical Michael Katz, funny, informative, and a great read. Although his book focuses on the solo professional, much of his advice transcends the sol proprietor and is good advice in being successful in both your personal and business life.