The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur [Kindle Edition]

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.,

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.

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?