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.

A Plug

I don't normally do this, because I don't want people to think I am getting paid. Or that anything mentioned on this blog makes us any money. I wish!

Anyway, I got Mike Michalowicz's book The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur as part of the goodbye gift from Martha Stewart event in January (you can read about it here). It languished on my bedside table for a few weeks or so. Then Mike contacted me for comments. Of course, I said I'll get right on it.


Fast forward to the last week of March and our vacation. On the last day, having graciously gotten a half day off by my husband and kids, I started reading it. I gulped the first two chapters, and laughed the whole way through them. Then we got back home, and the book got buried under a mountain of mail. Well, I finally dug it up last night and finished the damn thing. One word - awesome!

I am a great believer in NOT having a business plan, if not for any other reason then because I simply don' have time to write it. Mike doesn't like them either. Yeah!

Ultimately, what the book and Mike do is kick your behind and make you do what you always wanted to do - a real life inspiration. So, thanks Mike! The glass is half full today!