Self-Made in America: Plain Talk for Plain People about the Meaning of Success

by John McCormack and David R. Legge

Book Overview

Once a New York City cop, John McCormack made his first million on Wall Street in his twenties, and lost it before he was thirty. He went to work for--and learned from--savvy businessmen who had made... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201608235
• ISBN13: 9780201608236
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic book for ambitious business owners

This is the best, single-most inspiring book on small business entrepreneurialism I've ever read. I re-read it every single year. Required reading for any/all small business owners and those who aspire to a self-made life of success. It's a mix of page-turning interesting story of the Visible Changes hair salons as well as a how-to nuts and bolts of growing a great business.

John is the real deal... he has always helped me

I was fortunate enough to have taken an entrepreneurship and business planning graduate school class with John as the adjunct professor. He made the course worthwhile and put meaning into the work and learning we did. The story he tells is very real, and it could be you or me, but, the secret is in what you do with what you have. And knowing yourself. John is very down to earth in his book as in life. He knows who he is, and does not profess to be anything else. And in his book, he speaks to you. Not at you. He shares some of his personal struggles on his road to and of success. And don't think he had it paved... that is the best part of the whole story. Here is someone who shares both the ups and downs, and takes you along with him on the journey. Get the book. It's easy and pleasurable to read. If you have ever dreamed of owning yor own business, get this book, read it, and remember the struggles John went through to inspire you through the rough spots in owning your own business. You will be glad you did.

A Texas legend in entrepreneurship with real-life lessons

I've read biographies of folks like Richard Branson, Phil Knight and Michael Bloomberg. Enormous successes, yes...but to such a degree that it seems on a scale of Everest proportions. In contrast, the magic of John McCormack's story is that success seems so approachable after reading his 'plain talk for plain people.'Folks, this guy is the real deal. Along with his wife Maryanne, this Texas legend has totally transformed the seemingly prosaic field of hairstyling into a cauldron of entrepreneurship. The best part of the book is witnessing the impact that his business, Visible Changes, has made on his employees. In many parts of the country, hairstyling is a dead-end job for washouts from the educational system. McCormack has totally turned conventional wisdom on its head and shown just how powerful that workforce can be when they are treated with respect.And the personal saga of John McCormack himself is a real page-turner to boot. For that reason alone - in addition to the simple lessons he passes along - these are 220 pages that you won't soon forget.

Realistic guidelines for successful entrepreneurship!!

John McCormack makes successful entrepreneurship seem attainable to anyone. John McCormack emphasizes the value of people and how people have helped make him successful. He further emphasizes the need for aspiring entrepreneurs to be mentored by successful people, also a key to his success. His words inspire hard work, sacrifice, and saving, the real ingredients for success. This book is a must read for all entrepreneurs

Great book for any entrepreneur

This book describes how life is not/should not be based solely on monetary goals. He describes the wisdom he gained from others who were succesful and relates that America is a place where anyone can become successful.

Powerful Guide to Super Success

It is easy to find self-help books written by psycologists and students of success. Those books offer material that sounds good, but has no foundation in actual success. This book is authored by a person who went from debt and desperation to affluence in a very short time. He teaches from experience how to achieve all he has achieved and more! A must have for anyone seeking super success