Me and Mike at Entrepreneurial Reflections

You’ve probably heard me mention Toilet Paper Entrepreneur before. I read it late last year and much of the advise was instrumental in helping me develop my career to what it is now. Last night, myself and a few other Jamaican entrepreneurs got the opportunity to meet Mike Michalowicz, author of TPE and a new book called Pumpkin Plan coming out in July.

I’m not one to jump on the ‘let’s go hear this guy speak’ bandwagon. Too many persons out there are dishing out self help advise and making it sound like you can change the world, become a new person or make millions overnight – not Mike. He was very down-to-earth and open with the gathering – making it clear that his resume of building three multi-million dollar businesses doesn’t say anything about the reality of the journey it took to get there.

When he spoke about his nights of sleeping under conference tables to avoid hotel fees and moving his family into a retirement home in order to start his business, it resonated with me. The entrepreneurial journey is hardly ever a bed of roses – between the friends who say you have a great idea but few who back you financially, to the parents and loved ones who think you’re wasting your life away to the struggles you have when realizes that the business’ money isn’t your money. So many go through but they hardly ever talk about it. I was happy that someone was willing to share and even happier it was Mike whom I respect immensely – if only for the braveness of writing a whole business book with too many references to bathroom activities.

I just want to say thanks to Gale Peart and Caribbean Fortress for putting on the event and allowing us to get the opportunity to meet and network with Mike. And, of course, thanks to Mike for being so cool! I loved speaking with you and you have  definitely been an inspiration.

Below I share a few of the lessons Mike Michalowicz shared with us throughout the night.

Lesson #1: Experience anything you’ve never experienced – never decline the opportunity to try, see and do new things because those are the places you get inpiration

Lesson #2: Go for drinks often! (You’re gonna have to ask Mike about that one. LOL)

Lesson #3: Don’t listen to people’s words, listen to their wallets. Many of your friends will lie to you because they are afraid of hurting your feelings. Don’t ask them if they think it would sell, ask them to buy into it. (This advice is also given in the current book I’m reading ‘4 Hour Workweek‘ by Tim Ferriss)

Lesson #4: Successful people don’t need to prove they are success. You should strive for success for your benefit not to prove it to others.

Lesson #5: If you do what makes you happy, success will follow. Don’t think about the money first; think about what you enjoy doing and then find out how you can leverage that.

With that said – Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a great, practical investment for any entrepreneur, whether new or seasoned and, if you’ve already read it and love it like I do – look out for Pumpkin Plan! In the meantime, check out his website for entertainment, advise and free stuff.

If you attended the event last night, feel free to leave a comment below and tell me what you thought. Did you like Mike as much as I did or do you think he’s just a quack who sleeps under conference tables?