Mention the name ‘Phil Knight’ and most people these days might ask who you are referring to. In the ‘70s, Knight would become a pioneer on a venture that would pivotally change the path of the sporting industry forever. Along with a small band of outcasts, Phil Knight would go on to create Nike and reshape the world of footwear!
‘Shoe Dog’ is a term for someone who lives and breathes shoes. Phil Knight, along with the Nike collective, are an embodiment of that definition. “Shoe Dog” takes you through the early stages in the formation of Nike, detailing the ups and downs on a voyage that forged one of the most iconic brands to ever exist. Today, Nike has become a staple brand in athletic footwear so it’s far too easy to look over the story of a small brand that originated in Oregon by a running enthusiasts and a few of his friends.
From an entrepreneur’s perspective, there are a lot of gems to be digested in this read. If you are in search of inspiration or just a deeper understanding of living within your purpose “Shoe Dog” can help you get there. Phil is very open and honest about his shortcomings along the way. He reflects on all of his past accomplishments to impart wisdom and inspiration to others who may be dealing with the same struggles of searching for their life’s purpose. At the least, you will feel inspired after reading “Shoe Dog” at best you may go on to create a Nike of your own!
“The 4-Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss is an entrepreneurial playbook on how to limit your actual work time and maximize your interests doing the things you really desire to do. The book gives play-by-play instruction on how to transition your work life to more of an automated function. Author Tim Ferriss pulls details from his background to show practical examples of how he made these things happen for himself. It may seem a bit farfetched at the onset, but his life proves that maximum self-efficiency and entrepreneurial success is not only feasible, but much more attainable than you may think in the right work environment.
To apply the teachings of “The 4-Hour Work Week” from a practical standpoint, you need to have a career or business with some flexibility (i.e. remote/home employment). If that is the case a lot of the theories from the book are pretty plug and play. If that’s not the case, you may have a hard time making a transition from your current work structure and would need to contemplate if embarking on a new career path is right for you. Furthermore, if you are doing something you love to do and financial motivation isn’t the primary motivation, you may find the book less applicable. Ferriss does his best to show you how to get out of doing things you don’t want to do so you can spend more time doing the things you really want to.
In addition to work advice, Ferriss also finds the time to drop some wisdom and real-world knowledge for everyday use. From his book you can tell that he is well-traveled with an endless supply of personal philosophies that he imparts in the readings. Not only does he focus on personal philosophies that will improve efficiency, but he also gives some sound business advice on how to structure your business as an entrepreneur and reach your maximum potential.
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who may feel a bit overwhelmed with the task of being an entrepreneur, or anyone just trying to figure out more they can do with their ambitions. At the least, Ferriss will teach you a few simple things you can implement to take your time back. With time being our most valuable asset, it is well worth the read!
Book: The 4-Hour Work Week
Author: Timothy Ferriss
]]>
The ‘Spook Who Sat By The Door’ is a fictional novel that follows the life of Dan Freeman, the first Black CIA agent. Agent Freeman is seen as a model Black citizen in White America, earning him the title of “Uncle Tom” within the black community. Only, his model minority behavior is all a well-orchestrated act to learn the ways and tactics used against the Black community. Freeman ultimately wishes to use his newly acquired knowledge to empower his community.
Author Sam Greenlee uses his fictional novel to force readers to think about what the potential of a grassroots uprising within the Black community could entail. He also manages to show the dichotomy of relationships and interests within the Black community, showcasing the ideologies of both the people that are in support of change, and others that prefer to keep status quo. Greenlee, being a former US Army officer, has been said to have used parallels from his own life experiences within the military as reference points in the novel.
Ironically, the book was originally published in 1969, only five years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted, but there are many parallels you can still see between the interactions amongst many urban communities and their local police force. The novel is a emblematic playbook on how to integrate and use the system against itself. ‘The Spook Who Sat By The Door’ is definitely an interesting read to say the least. At times it’s a bit hard to follow as it jumps around throughout the story, but nonetheless it will not leave you disappointed!
Book: The Spook Who Sat By The Door
Author: Sam Greenlee
]]>
Traveling the path of entrepreneurship is often long, lonely, and lacking detailed direction. When building your own road to entrepreneurial success, the opportunities to learn from seasoned successful entrepreneurs with actual experience always appears to be limited. Don’t let that discourage you. The book The Hard Thing About Hard Things by entrepreneur billionaire tech investor and CEO Ben Horowitz provides the guidance you need to navigate your way to success. Horowitz has case by case scenarios of when and where to make the hard decision. He not only goes through his triumphs in his decision making but also details times when his decision making hindered him or his business. The book is geared towards technology companies but much of the information can be applied to other industries and fields.
Due to the book’s specific focus on the tech industry, you may have a hard time tailoring his advice to your entrepreneurial pursuits, but the knowledge and experience Horowitz gives to the readers is undeniable. His candor and openness gives the reader the opportunity to dive into the mind and decision-making process of a tech CEO in today’s economy. This wouldn’t be my first recommendation for a business book, but for the entrepreneur looking for guidance and in position to scale, I believe this book would be greatly beneficial.
Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things
Author: Ben Horowitz
]]>If you’ve ever felt like you were falling short from “living your best life” Flip Your Future by Ryan Pineda is a fantastic read. The book takes you on an enjoyable journey, step-by-step, explaining everything you need to know to get started, gradually grow, and ultimately prosper in real estate investing. “House flipping,” or the act of buying a property at low-cost with the purpose to sell for a profit, is an amazing financial opportunity.
Flip Your Future focuses on the foundation and fundamentals of house flipping. It’s an easy to understand guide into the world of real estate that you may have always been curious about, but not so familiar with. Pineda takes you through the process of building your real estate team (contractors, escrow officers, real estate agents, etc.), locating capital, evaluating deals, pitching offers, discovering leads, managing renovations, and selling your property. The author aims to steer you down the path of working smarter, and not harder. He thoroughly explains how having a systematic approach to investing in real estate will allow individuals to ultimately focus on the bigger picture and allow you to become the visionary you were destined to be.
This was an excellent read for myself as I am currently involved in the real estate industry. The book provides key behind the scenes industry information, which allowed me to walk away with a mountain of confidence about my future in real estate after reading. This book is certainly high on my list of recommendations for anyone unsure where to get started in real estate investing. If your goal is to generate another source of income without the stresses of working for someone else, this book is for you. Knowledge is everything!
-Vic
Book: Flip Your Future: How to Quit Your Job, Live Your Dreams, And Make Six Figures Your First Year Flipping Real Estate
Author: Ryan Pineda
]]>