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

by Mike Michalowicz

Book Overview

"Never started a company before? Struggling with little or no cash? Have no experience, no baseline to judge your progress against? Thank God! You've got a shot at making this work." So says Mike... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0981808204
• ISBN13: 9780981808208
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Not Avail
• Length: 175 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Run a profitable business from day one!

If I had to choose one book out of all others to recommend to someone who wanted to start their own business, it's this one. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur teaches the reader, in simple, easy to understand language, how to plan on profitability from day one. All while using nothing more than three sheets. And by sheets, I'm not talking about business plans, or financial statements, or fictitious break-even analyses, that you use to show a banker how in four-or-five years your business might actually hope to make a profit. These are actual important, living documents that will become a much needed guide as you start your journey. In TPE, Mike tells you how, in no uncertain terms, that for a business to succeed it must be focused, and it must have a clear Area of Innovation. Determining these aspects is just part of the process, which you'll see once you read the book. Mission statements? Vision statements? How many Dilbert strips have we all read mocking the committees that sit around, dreaming them up and trying to force-fit them on the rest of the organization. For me, it was a relief seeing these left out, and in its place was something that really matters. The questions Mike proposes instead go to your deep-seated Why. They help you define your values as a person, and will help you articulate to those around you just what is driving you to create your business and let your own personal passion shine through. For those who aren't ready to start, he dedicates a large portion of the book to helping overcome the objections you either tell yourself or hear from friends, colleagues, family members, etc. Several of those objections I heard echoed in the back of my head. "Yup, that's me." But why? Heck, even Mike was calling me a [expletive] because of just how lame the excuses were! Pro's: - Very engaging! - Incredibly funny - Common sense guide to getting your business going - Will help you budget effectively from day one (no room for waste!) - Emphasizes the often looked over need to preserve personal ownership in your business! - Good tips on how to get things done for cheap or (better) for free! Con's: - Potty humor might keep overly sensitive individuals from receiving his important message So I've already decided: I'm getting started. 2010 is a great year for new things, and right now I'm lucky enough to have the time, support, and resources to get going. I hope you choose to as well. Good luck!

A Short Easy Applicable Guide for the Everyday Entrepreneur

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.,

Review of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

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.

Better Than Most Business Books Out There - He's the Real Deal

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 great book for beginner entrepreneurs and good for the rest of us too

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.