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Entrepreneur and all around great guy Chris Guillebeau has created a book that every person who wants to love their work needs to read. Filled with practical advice on starting a “micro-business”, it’s in my top 10 business books now. Listen to the episode to hear how you can get a free copy!
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Show Notes:
This episode of BooksForABetterYou is sponsored by the team at AndyAndrews.com. Get 15% off your order today at andyandrews.com when you use the coupon code betteryou15.
The Author:
- Chris Guillebeau – Entrepreneur, solopreneur at TheArtOfNonConformity.com – the title of his first book published in late 2010, subtitled (Set your own rules, live the life you want and change the world). Part of my top ten business books for building the business and the LIFE you want.
- He knows a lot about building the kind of business that I want to run so when he sent me a book (I didn’t even have to request it…he’s that nice of a guy) I ripped through it in a weekend.
I asked Chris about his goal in writing the book:
Two things: first, I kept hearing incredible stories from people who had started all kinds of businesses, without spending a lot of money and by using the skills they already had. Most of these people didn’t think of themselves as “entrepreneurs” and had never gone to business school, yet they found a way to make a good living doing something that they loved. I found these stories inspiring and wanted to bring honor and awareness to them.
Second, I wanted to craft a narrative from the stories and create a blueprint that readers could follow. There are lots of general resources out there, but we need more than vague, motivational mantras. We need specifics. We need data. We need a proven plan.
That’s what I hoped to provide, but it’s up to readers to be the judge of whether I succeeded or not.
- MAIN PREMISE – It’s a micro business revolution – a way of earning a good living while crafting a life of independence and purpose.
- WHY WE PURSUE THIS -There’s no rehab program for being addicted to freedom. Once you’ve seen what it’s like on the other side, good luck trying to follow someone else’s rules ever again.
- WHERE DID HE COME UP WITH THIS STUFF? – Research based on 1500 different responses to business owners who shared their journey and their income. He took those stories and found the patterns, including the pitfalls of their journeys.
- WHERE TO GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS – Somewhere between your passion and other people’s needs.
- Deciding what people actually want – More Love, less stress / More money, less conflict / More free time, less uncertainty
- Process for asking people what they want to buy before actually building it – I’m doing this myself with a new product that will help you fix your email inbox – you can find more info about that at http://www.FixYourInbox.com
- MORE PRACTICAL STUFF – Also discussed how to handle a product launch on-line – Invaluable, practical, simple…let me thinking “Duh, I should know that.” Well, we usually don’t so save yourself a lot of mistakes and frustration and just get the book. Or listen to the end of the show and hear about how you can get a copy free.
The Business audit.
- The first point is – Where do you make money?
- Duh Chris! No, DUH business owner. This is a constant problem for solopreneurs and micro-businesses who get distracted by everything except what brings us money!
The summary of $100 Startup
- Career changes hinge on answering two questions: “How can I systemize what I want to do and what role will that new business have in the rest of my life?”
- My favorite passages are about permission, since it’s the basis of my podcast network – the Take Permission Media Network
- “Most of this book contains various forms of advice, but don’t confuse advice for permission. You don’t need anyone to give you permission to pursue a dream”
- “Sometimes the best advice is none at all. If you know what you want to do, the next step is simply to do it. Stop waiting. Start taking action.
- You can apply the lessons from these stories and create the new life you want.
- More than competition or other external factors, the biggest battle is against our own fear and inertia. Thankfully, this also means we are in complete control of managing it.
I asked Chris about how he felt about the response of readers to his book:
“Now that the book is out, I’m already hearing stories of fun little businesses that have started up… and this is in the first 14 days of launch! My goal is that more and more people will read the book and not just say “That was interesting.” I hope they’ll say, “I read this book and then I took action on it.”
I hard a time finishing this book because I kept wanting to DO SOMETHING with it…that’s the greatest compliment I can give this book. It caused me to do more than think, it caused me to DO and DOING something is the key to getting what you want.
To get a free copy of $100 Startup…
Leave a comment on what your biggest obstacle is in growing or starting your own business and Tweet or share this post on Facebook using the links on this page. Do this by May 31st! The winner will be announced on the next episode of the Books For A Better You Show.
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My name is Andy Traub and I help people tell their stories in a way that maximizes their impact. If you'd like to create your own custom channel to reach the world then I can help. Just 
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
It is easy for me to stay where I am at because my wife is able to stay at home and I fear that if I were to start my own thing I would not be able to maintain the life we have.
Dang brother, you’re speaking my language. Me too. My wife is a stay at home mom and there’s NO way I’d ever ask her to do anything different. That’s a great point.
My main obstacle is fear. Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear that I will let my family down with yet another idea that won’t come to fruition. I want desperately to provide a better life for my family, but fear of letting them down is my greatest obstacle.
Fear is real John. It’s a thing. It’s a BEING. It’s alive. Have you read Do The Work by Steven Pressfield? He talks about fear a LOT. There’s only way to win against fear though…keep shipping. Thanks for your comment. I HEAR ya! I’m there too!
Andy..
I really love what your doing!
Valued leaps off the page.
I like the people you interview, the folks you talk to, and the “tech talk” adds value!
Thx brother. I hope the value doesn’t hit you in the face. I don’t want to get sued.
I want to start a new career of motivational speaking/coaching for health and wellness. I have lost 165 pounds and want to share my story and help others. Biggest obstacle is not exactly knowing what to do to set it motion. Trying to find all the resources I can to help me put a action plan into place. This book sounds amazing. Great podcast Sir.
Thanks brother Ben.
First, congratulations on the weight loss! STUD.
Second, look up Kent Julian on the web. He’s a speaker and teaches others how to do the same. Tell him I sent you. If he has a resource you can buy then get it. The guy KNOWS what he’s talking about.
Last, thanks for the kind words. I hope to keep dellivering great content and I will!
That is awesome Ben! Congratulations on the weight loss.
You might like the podcast Real Good Health at http://www.powerfulliving.tv/category/podcast/real-good-health/
The show varies between topics and interviews. Maybe they could interview you.
K, bye
My biggest obstacle has been fear. It’s always trying to beat me down and I constantly have to try to overcome it. I’m slowly making my way there.
Bro, I’ve been really kicking fear’s a** lately because I’ve been making a to do list in Evernote and it’s been really effective. I’ve used SO many tools but I’m trying to make EVernote my EVERYTHING tool and it’s working really well. So to beat fear write your stuff down somehwere and then click the boxes when you’re done with it. It will HELP you feel like you’re getting somewhere. EVery checked box is a kick in the face to fear. You’re a stud. Keep shipping.
Awesome Andy! I see you’re shipping a ton of stuff. Podcasts galore(really digging you and Andy Andrews), your new email deal, and more. You’re knocking it out and giving me hope.
I’ll have to check out Evernote for list management. I like it for storing notes and quotes I gather while browsing the web but haven’t taken the initiative to dig deeper.
Insecurity is my biggest obstacle. I’m not good at tooting my own horn, even when it should be tooted – lol.
Alexandra, that’s a great point. Humility can be an obstacle. Perhaps you should focus on the service or product you provide instead of yourself. In the end it’s not about you anyway, it’s about the service you provide others. Toot away!
My biggest problem is monetizing my business. Part of me wants to go several directions and not choose just ONE SPECIFIC path. I’m getting there, but that’s my biggest difficulty.
Yeah, amen to that my brother. $100 Startup really helped me to remember to focus on activities that create income. That’s why I started http://www.FixYourInbox.com and started polling people about their podcasting http://www.takepermission.com/podcastingtip/tips-on-starting-a-podcast/
It’s the first step in building a product…Ask people what they want! You’ll get there.
Great show Andy. I saw the episode and said “less than ten minutes, bummer.” You packed it in there and got to the core while still giving us a taste to go out and get the book and the few minutes got me to thinking.
I am finishing and in some ways restarting some of the 48Days material, so I do not have a business in mind now. Although with money getting not as heavy now and working a few miscellaneous jobs I am feeling the pressure to really get another job, but also not wanting to get into something that I have had before where I did not thrive and was not passionate about the work. The more I hear and read about working for one self the more it appeals to me. I still do not think I should be totally free as I know I am not a go-getter yet. Thank you for allowing me to think here and clear my skull up some.
The title/cover of this book got me to thinking about a guy who came around the other day to paint the house number on the curb. He went from $10 to $5 per house and probably made at a full days work for a minimum wage employer in a short time in the evening.
Thank you again Andy.
P.S. This episode would not download via the Pocket Casts app. It saw it as a video and then tried playing it to no success. Thought you would like to know. I tried iTunes and that worked fine.
K, bye
You’re thinking bro…and that’s where you need to be. Quitter by Acuff and $100 Startup are two must reads for you. Art of Non Conformity right after that.
No idea how to fix the pocket casts app issue. I embed the video player for the episodes now b/c it plays on mobile better. Can’t spend my time chasing the apps b/c they all do things differently but I do appreciate the heads up. Keep shipping my friend. You’ll get there. Give yourself time and get rich slowly as Godin says.
Thank you. I read Quitter, now to apply.
Congratulations on all the feedback on this post.
K, bye
Focus is one of my hardest obstacles. I have about two to three hours a week that I can put to creating a web app, and I get so excited about it that I want to do everything I can, as fast as I can.
Thankfully, I know it’s slowly getting done. Maybe I need to just prioritize better the day or two before.
“Maybe I need to just prioritize better the day or two before.”
Sounds like you know what to do. Find an accountability partner and get it done brother.
My biggest obstacle is fear. Fear of not succeeding. “What if I spend all this money and time and it doesn’t work.” And fear of succeeding. “What if this takes off and grows bigger than I can handle.” I’ve got a project I’m working on now. I’m trying to push past these fears. Let me rephrase that. I’m pushing past these fears and i’m going to get it done.
Nicely said Roger. You have no idea how NORMAL that fear is.
My biggest obstacle is having the energy to go after it. My wife and I work full time and after I put in 9 hour days pick up the 2 kids ages 6 and 9, get dinner, homework, baths and bed most days will leave us with no more gas in the tank. Tie that in with a little fear and there you have it. I know I’m not along in this but man It’s ruff.
Very real Jeff. Practically speaking there may not be enough time given your current work load and parenting duties so you need to either sleep less or change what you do during the day. Maybe that means one parent has to go solo with the kids for a few extra hours a week, maybe that means some nights you know you’re going to sleep 6 hours instead of 7. IT’s hard, I KNOW. Just set a goal and try to get there. YOu’ll never do it unless you set a goal to try. Let me know how it goes OK? andytraub at gmail.com or leave an update on this post.
Like Jeff, my biggest obstacle is time. I am focusing on what is most important to me right now. Trying to balance being an disciple, a husband, a father, an employee, and a new small business everything guy. The startup is currently the lowest on my priority list. To me that means it may take a little longer but I am pleased with the other areas in my life and am not willing to take time away from them right now. I really appreciate all of the tips and ideas you provide Andy! Thanks man!
Trey, so you don’t live in a perpetual feeling of “I should be doing more” I encourage you to write down what you want to get done and keep track so you can know that you’re making progress. Even if it’s small stuff, it’s best to have those goals written down so you can feel like you’re moving forward instead of always “shoulding” all over yourself. That’s a term Brennan Manning taught me…where we live in a constant state of “I should do this.” “I shouldn’t have done that.” Hope that helps.
My biggest obstacle is in starting my own business is lack of mentors or people willing to help me see what I have to offer and making it into a viable business. I know several business owners and have talked with them about their companies because I want to live in their world. I am sure they would offer some help if I had something going but beyond the want of doing my own thing, I don’t have an idea yet. So maybe not knowing what type of business I want to start is my biggest obstacle.
The best mentors I’ve had in that area are JonAcuff.com – Quitter , SethGodin.com – Linchpin, ChrisGuillebeau.com – $100 Startup and Dan Miller of 48days.com – Start there…get your idea and then look for business owners. You can do it.
For me it probably boils down to lack of focus and fear. I’m one of those guys that will think of lots of ideas but about the time I’m getting ready to run with something another idea will come up and I will loose interest. I know that I often hesitate because of fear as well. Also, adding to the lack of focus is the fact that I don’t like to say NO. While I have a ways to go, I do see light at the end of the tunnel though and I am learning as a result of reading scripture and good books from authors like Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Jon Acuff, and Seth Godin. I am also encouraged by podcasts such as yours. Thank You!
There’s nothing wrong with lots of ideas, just never finishing them is the problem. So you need a system to take an idea down and keep track of it, maybe even add flesh to it over time but KEEP working on your current priority. I use EVERNOTE for that a lot. Ramsey has a great section on To do lists in Entreleadership. Have you read that? Check out Evernote too and if you need some help learning it I made a product at http://www.SystemizeMe.com . 100% $ back guarantee on it…no risk. Hope that helps. You can do it bro. Just start!
My biggest obstacles are very similar to so many others–time during my full time job’s busy seasons and balancing family and other commitments, fear of not succeeding, and lack of focus. Although, with the extra time I have had recently, some of these are falling into place although I am concerned about what will happen in the fall when the school year starts back up. Great summary, Andy! I look forward to reading the book!
I hope you can find a time and stick to it. With an uncertain schedule (busy time of year, slow time of year) committing in advance to working on it will help big time.
The problem for me is focus. Its so hard to stay focus in one area at a time and not to jump to the other 20 things that I have in my mind. Managing my time and concentrating in just one thing that’s been the biggest problem I have faced while trying to make my business work. Andy keep up the good work. I have seen you develop into a successfull brand with a whole lot of determination, hard work, and shipping great content. Good job.
Thanks Carlos. I want to encourage you to write all of your ideas down but then dig in to one or two. The enemy of great is not “bad”, it’s other good stuff that keeps us from making the great.
For me, I haven’t been sure what I want to do or what I love doing that will fill a need for others. Although thankfully I’m getting past that so next is following though. It’s been easy for me in the past to read a book and not put any actions to action, so now I’m working on actions.
$100 startup just moved up to the top of my reading list after listing to this podcast. Hearing you talk about how it made you want to go start something makes me more interested since that is what I’m trying to work on myself! Plus, I love hearing stories about what others are doing.
It will make you do something or you’ll never do anything. It’s that kind of book!
Good to hear! I’m finishing No More Mondays and started Quitter. If I don’t have a business going by the end of the year I need to get confortable in my JOB.
You’re reading the right stuff!
Risking my family’s current welfare is my biggest hangup. I’m the primary income earner/benefits carrier in my family. We’re relying on my “safe” job to take us through our children beginning years, fortunately my husband has been able to stay at home with the kids while working his pt woodworking business & a pt job. We live pretty basic and I know increasing my husband’s business will reduce reliance on my job and allow me to do what I’m called to do (which for me is to be more involved raising my kids) We’re also trying to get out of debt, so I see getting his business to the next level and/or me changing my job to something that I feel called to do would set us back further in debt. I don’t know if we’re trying to take on too much, or if I lack the understanding how to accomplish all of this at the same time.
I think it’s wise to mitigate that risk as much as possible by preparing and NOT quitting anything until the other thing (whatever it is) is on strong legs. Have you read Jon Acuff’s Quitter? That’s a book you need to read if you haven’t. I don’t think God calls us to things that put us in more debt, that’s contrary to his principles. lastly, we all LACK the understanding and the question is how will we go about getting that understanding without hurting our family in the process? I hope I can help you on the journey. Thanks so much for commenting Suse. You’re NOT alone.
I have plenty of issues, but the one that is keeping me from even getting started is coming up with an idea. I know I want to go another way, but I don’t have another way to go. Once I get an idea or direction I can address fear and risk and all the rest.
Great output comes from great input. I’d suggest using your library card a LOT. That’s what keeps my brain stimulated. If you’re not a reader then do podcasts. They’re free too!
Funny you should mention that. I happen to work at a library. I have been reading a great deal with many of the titles overlapping the ones you talk about. There’s a lot of good information, I need to figure out where I want to apply it.
Andy, I totally agree that a worn-out library card can be evidence of a person going somewhere.
But I hear ya, Jay! I have been taking in amazing stuff over the last two years, starting with 48 Days, Linchpin, EntreLeadership, ReWork, Getting Real… (and hopefully $100 startup), but applying it is *the hardest part*.
Though, now that I’ve typed that, I see that a lot has happened in my life over the last two years. I see a lot of shortcomings in my life right now, but I’m in a very different place than I was two quick years ago.
God is working in all of us, though we may not notice it until we look back. Great input is indeed needed. Constantly.
OK, I guess you know a thing or two about library cards then.
My biggest fear is that I will not be as good as another in my same field. I always feel that I am lacking.
Dang, so true. Comparison is a deadly game. This is gonna sound really cheesy but there are a few ways to win this battle. Remember that God made you to be you, not to be whoever you’re comparing yourself with. And remember that your message is yours and no one can deliver it like you could. If you were supposed to have a twin walking around the planet there would be two of you but instead you’re an individual so accept that and be one. Make unique work and don’t waste time measuring it against another individual. You’re not a marching band trying to stay in line, you’re a unique creation meant to create unique things. Hope that helps. Thx for reading.
Andy, My main problem is a clear path of what I want to do(my passion). When you did the same thing all your life it’s hard to know what else you may be good at. Enough of the excuses. I might just go sell something. Love your podcasts!
Jim, bad news bro. I don’t think there’s a clear path either. BUT there is a path. If the path was clear you’d already be there! I agree changing patterns is hard so my encouragement is to make a few small decisions today to change things. Instead of saying you’re going to go sell something follow Chris’ advice and ask people what they want to buy. I’m trying to do this right now with http://www.FixYourInbox.com – And it’s working! I’ve got great feedback so far and it will help me make a product that people really want to buy. There’s a ton of practical advice in there like that. Hope that helps. GET THE BOOK man. It’s awesome.
Last May I split a partnership that was simply not going the way I wanted it to anymore. Since last summer I have been soaking up new information, new lifestyle(s) to bring me to a place where I want to be. I found Andy Traub through iTunes and started listening to his content. I picked up some j-o-b to pick up the pieces of my broken relationship/partner and pay off all my debt. A little searching time for the soul. Since I don’t have that j-o-b anymore I have been reading all the books i have heard these podcast leaders speaking about ramping up to do my next start up. This book would add to a small collection that I have been loaning out to help others. Thank you for the opportunity to share Chris’ book.
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