Customer Reviews

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.

5 star:		(296)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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.,

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.

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.

This book has inspired a loyal following; I found more references to this book, and support for its content on the Internet (in forums, chat rooms, blogs, media, etc.) than any of the competing business books. So it was with great anticipation that I sat down to read this book.

The book disappoints for several reasons:

1. Michalowicz advocates self-guidance psychology-based techniques as a replacement for more traditional business planning processes. While I acknowledge his techniques do work, the book gives only a scant overview on the process and implications. You are far better served by reading "Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: The Search for Optimal Motivation and Performance (edited Sansone & Harackiewicz) and Maslow's classic "Toward a Psychology of Being." For a comprehensive text on proper business planning, read Truitt's "Business Planning: A Comprehensive Framework and Process."

2. Michalowicz's business principles are sound--for beginners. However, the book is devoid of detailed analyses of accounting principles that is mandatory for any entrepreneur. Likewise, the book never touches on, much less details, traditional marketing practices. Instead, read Stone's "Fundamentals of Marketing: A Critical Evaluation" and Paley's "Manager's Guide to Competitive Marketing Strategies."

3. Michalowicz shares some truly innovative, quirky strategies, but unfortunately does not back them up with validity testing. For example, the PFA strategy is a bafflingly simple approach to increasing profit, controlling expenses and building cash reserves, but besides his own success implementing said strategy, he does not share any other studies. The Focus Five is another interesting and potentially powerful approach to building one's business, but alas, no proof behind it. Michalowicz is adamant that entrepreneurs retain equity and presents an intriguing argument, but again, does not back his opinion up with evaluation/results of partnering/not partnering.

If you want to be entertained this book is the way to go, just like the "Avatar" blockbuster. But if you want a true education this book brings just as much value as "Avatar."

Any time I find 'all business books suck so read mine' attitude - I know to watch out. It's silly to say something like that, especially when your book isn't good.

Let me describe why you shouldn't read this book.

* There is a serious lack of substance - Read articles from a dozen mediocre business blogs and you can pick up more substance. Though he presents some valid ideas, he does it in such a clumsy way that you are totally unconvinced.
* The toilet illustration got really old - the perfect example: when you feel the urge to start a business, you just gotta go. The book is filled with this....crap. Oh yeah, that's said plenty also.

So, in the footsteps of Mike, let me give you a tasteless toilet illustration about why you should read this book: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is like wiping yourself with cheap toilet paper. There is just so much left behind that you need to find something else just to clean up after the mess that was made.

I have read plenty other books that give a overview of business without being immature, lame, sporadic, and ineffective. I don't want to promote them here in case I am taken for a spammer. If you are going to start a business, don't spend your money here. Do a little more homework and find the next book to read.

Not to demean the 200+ people that have given this book 5 stars...but what the heck?

Mike Michalowicz is the real deal, hands down. I read a pre-release copy of the book and was blown away by the way Mike communicated his message in the book like he's talking with you one-on-one. He's incredibly funny with how he presents the information, which makes it an awesome read (especially since most of us don't have much time to read).

What I really liked about this book was how Mike didn't "fluff it up" and gave some quality content based on real life...something you don't get in the classroom theory we go through. His action steps at the end of each chapter help you to refocus on the point he's making and give you something to take action on right away. The book truly becomes something almost alive to you that will lead you on to success, if you let it.

In closing, I believe this is one of the best guides on how to get started in business. Most business books I've read do well covering the "I'm past the start-up" stage, but Mike really helps the first-time or newbie entrepreneur understand the mindset and actions that are required to succeed. Heck, I'm sure it's even a good brush-up for the experienced ones too. I highly recommend it!

A brash, offensive, extremely informal "tell-it-like-it-is" business book. There are some helpful concepts in here, but they are few and far between. I'd say you could safely give it a miss. I wish I could recommend this book. As I started reading it, I was initially fond of the spirit it was written in. Unfortunately the author fails to deliver much value.

"Growing a business" by Paul Hawken is a *much* more useful book if you are looking for one that cuts through the usual business cliches and tells it like it is, delivering useful, valuable, down-to-earth advice.

Mike is an accomplished entrepreneur. He has good experience and wisdom.

Mike is very encouraging to anyone who wants to start a business with a strong push to getting them to act. He also trashes anyones' ideas that they are lacking in some area to start a business.

The book is a bit of a summary of all start up wisdom.

He includes a short section on Time Management and since I study time management, I thought I would include his summary here.

In the style of the book, he distills it all down to 4 pages that include ideas like:

1 - Capture tasks and what needs to be done. Essentially - have a To Do list. (This is the basis of all Time Management Systems).

2 - Prioritize the list (again this is fundamental to all time management systems. This step is only possible if you have clear goals).

3 - Eliminate duplicates on the list.

4 - If it only takes 2 - do. If you can complete it in 2 minutes - just do it. (This is one of my Managing Email volume tips)

5 - Eliminate time wasters. (easily said but this requires discipline and knowing. I like to track what is taking my time and then giving things a "value" score. If I am spending too much time on low value stuff, I am inspired to change)

6 - Concentrate your thoughts. Multitasking is a myth.

7 - shut off email (This is his list - not mine. I agree with part of the theory here and might experiment some on this).

8 - Delegate. I wrote a whole section in my Time Management Book on how to delegate (even if you have no one who works for you.)

9 - Commit to someone else. If you commit, this gets you moving.

10 - Make it manageable. Break down the big jobs into smaller tasks.

11 - Take a break. This can re-energize so productivity increases. My variation on this is to change to a different nature of task. EG - If I am reviewing budgets, I can switch to reading a report.

12 - Go in spurts. People perform better and get more done if they work hard for a short while then ease off. What I like to do is see how much I can prolong the spurts for.

13 - Reward yourself.

14 - Make failure painful

13 and 14 are basic. We do something if it is more rewarding than not or if it is more painful than not doing anything. Enhance the pain or the pleasure for better results.

15 - Stop Bitching (His words). If things are not progressing - stop complaining and just do it. If the book has one key message it is "just Do It - and Do It Now". This really resonates with me. I see this as the key to most business success.

Good summary of Time Management Rules!

The book is good. Short and fast. He distills most wisdom on entrepreneurship down to the basics. I did find the bathroom humor detracted from the book though so I only gave it 3 stars. Perhaps it is his way to be edgy and try to set himself apart?

What a find. Finally a book written for the rest of us, which is really the majority of us. Most books spit out MBA quotes, mathmatical equations and a list of things you must have completed before moving forward with your big idea. this is exactly why people sit and plan and wait for until they are fully prepared to make a move. the problem, THAT DAY WILL NEVER COME! Mike inspires by telling it like it is, with a humorous tone. i needed someone to remind me that passion is the biggest factor in success. this book is a must read for anyone who ever had even a momentary flash of starting a business!

While I was reading this book I was tempted to use it as toilet paper innumerable times, as I was repeatedly turned off by the tone and imagery used. I was confounded by the fact that as I progressed, I discovered that Michalowicz was offering up truly valuable insights that would actually work and lead to success.

This is one of those books that you have to finish just to see i) how far the author will go in his pandering, sophomoric style, and ii) what flashes of novelty and brilliance he offers up, almost like an idiot savant who doesn't realize what he is capable of achieving.

Having run a successful small business and spent enough time in the corporate world to know the difference between good business advice and slickly packaged crap, I give this guy credit for taking a no-nonsense view of start-up businesses and making sensible, less-than-obvious recommendations that any new entrepreneur should embrace.

If this book was written for grownups and not for frat boys, it would be on the New York Times bestsellers list. Yes, Michalowicz's ideas are that good.