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65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Short Easy Applicable Guide for the Everyday Entrepreneur, December 22, 2008
This review is from: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business, even if you are at the end of your roll. (Hardcover)
I fell in love with Toilet Paper Entrepreneur on page xxi (in the introduction) where Mike Michalowicz does a brilliant comparison between the "Media Darling" entrepreneur and his "Three Sheet Path." In Mike's example at the age of 18, the media darling is recruited to an Ivy League school only to quit and launch a successful VC. Meanwhile, Mike is picking colleges based on the guy-to-girl ratios. Yup - that would be me.
This book showed me that regular people with some skill and an idea can launch a successful business -- without all the fancy schmancy MBA stuff and spending thousands on consultants and technology. Don't get me wrong. There is a place for all the formal stuff - but this book will get you to that place.
One of my favorite Guy Kawasaki quotes (from his new book Reality Check) goes something like "Just once I wish someone would ask me for money to increase their capacity because they have more customers than they know what to do with!"
Toilet Paper Entrepreneur will get you to that point where you will build a business and an infrastructure for profitable growth. If you've ever dreamed of pitching the likes of Guy Kawasaki - read this first. This will get you to needing more capacity to serve more customers.
Mike doesn't have to impress anyone. He has proven (because he's made millions several times over) that real entrepreneurship is about resourceful action and this book tells you how.
Build your business with 3 documents
1. A Prosperity Plan - Your credo and vision for your success.
2. A Quarterly Plan - Your goals and objectives a quarter out
3. Daily Metrics - The numbers that immediately measure the health of your business.
You'll also find ways to:
- Get low-cost, no-cost employees and assistance
- Find office furniture
- Free conference calling and web casting
And so much more.
WARNING: Not for the easily offended.
If you are easily offended by potty humor - this book is not for you. If you're more impressed with high-end consultant, PhD. research-based books that tell you all the right ways to do things - you'll be disappointed.
But even the "negative reviews" here acknowledge that the information is good, valid, insightful and right on.
Personally, I love the potty humor. It's visceral and completely and effectively communicates what it really means to be resourceful when you have to be.
I've already used many of the tips in the book and saved some money. It's inspirational and is gathering quite the community of fun entrepreneurs committed to action and growth no matter what the economy.,
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, October 15, 2008
This review is from: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business, even if you are at the end of your roll. (Hardcover)
Ok, so I just finished the book....LOVED it!
Mike's book, The Toilet Paper Entrpreneur" is a no nonsense, tell it like it is book on business. I can say that the 3 sheet toilet paper theory is genius! Everyone can relate...
Being an entrepreneur myself, I know that there is a lot of hard work that goes into owning a business. My friends who have classic "9-5er's" don't get it. Reading this book is a breath of fresh air and gives me an instant energy charge. I have had people ask me over and over if I have a business plan. I do have one roughly written, but it is far from "perfect". I liked the chapter that talked about business plans being a waste of time. Afterall, do most people really look at them after they get a bank loan? Instead, Mike suggests making a Prosperity Plan, which is much more practical and definitely helps you keep focused on the big picture.
I also throughly enjoyed the chapter about the TPE's vs. The Media Darlings. I have had people give me their FREE advice that I don't have the money needed to make my business successful. Hmmmm... As Mike said, ask Bill Hewlitt and Mike Packard who began their business with $538.
The beautiful thing is that in America that can be your story too!
The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a must read for any entrepreneur!
All the very best!
Sarah Radford
President Chic Gems, etc.
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30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for beginner entrepreneurs and good for the rest of us too, September 26, 2008
This review is from: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business, even if you are at the end of your roll. (Hardcover)
Because of my interest in this topic (I write software for businesses who fit the definition of a Toilet Paper Entrepreneur), Mike (a guy I've just met over the web) sent me a review copy of the text.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the book. It's written with a humorous / conversational tone, which makes for an easy read (be prepared for lots of potty humor). While the book is fun, I was pleased to find lots of useful advice for building a business - the book goes beyond just cheerleading.
I happen to be a big fan of the whole bootstrapping method of building a business. Rather than figure this approach out via trial and error, Mike provides a concrete approach for doing just this.
I gave the book 5 starts because I think it nails the topic for the audience it wants to go after: people who want to start a business, but don't think they have the money or education to do so. If that's you, then this should be among the first business books you buy.
If you're like myself and have a bit more experience, then I still recommend the book. You'll no doubt find it educational, and at the very least, you'll get in quite a few good laughs.
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