Say what?!?

That is a usual reaction I get when I start talking about The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, or the man behind the book, Mike Michalowicz. As most of you know, I met Mike a few years back, during the inaugural Martha Stewart Dreamers into Doers event. At that time, Mike generously gifted all 40 attendees with a free copy of his book. That weekend, I sat down and read the whole thing cover to cover, channeling my inner geek and underlining the funny bits. Needless to say, most of the book is underlined.

I never thought myself as someone who appreciates the toilet humor, and Mike will be the first one to admit this - the book was intended for male audience, but I didn't stop laughing the whole time I was reading, even a few hours later. Ever since then, I make sure to recommend his book to all my friends. If they don't get anything else out of it, taking a few hours of your time to simply laugh and get rid of some of the stress of being an entrepreneur is priceless.

So, when I heard that Ladies Who Launch is organizing a workshop with Mike as a speaker, I made sure I was there. I needed to learn what he had to teach. Granted, most of the things that he talks about are not brain surgery and are not revolutionary, but when combined with his comic routine, they are much easier to absorb. I can't say that I remember much from all the books about marketing I read in graduate school, but I can quote passages from his book. Enough said.

 

Selma Avdicevic with Mike Michalowicz, November 2010, New York City

To make a long story short, it was the most productive way to spend two hours on a Saturday. I finally have a name for some of the marketing techniques I've been using, and I got some amazing ideas that will need implementing.

If you find out Mike is hosting one of his workshops near you, make sure to make time to attend. You will not be sorry.