You started a business. But why?
Entrepreneurs often lose sight of what matters. Are you helping people? Are they happy? Are you happy? Are you profitable? Isn't that enough?
Derek Sivers accidentally started a business by helping musicians sell their music. It became the largest online seller of independent music with over 150,000 musicians and $100M in sales. After ten years, he sold the company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity.
In "Anything You Want" he shares 40 powerful lessons, in a book you can read in about an hour. Points include:
- When you make a company, you make your utopia - your perfect world.
- Business is not about money. It's about making dreams come true for others and for yourself.
- Starting with no money is an advantage. You don't need money to start helping people.
- Your business plan is moot. You don't know what people really want until you launch.
- Don't pursue business just for your own gain. Only answer the calls for help.
- By focusing entirely on thrilling your customers - even at an occasional loss - you ultimately profit more, because of the loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing that comes only when you place your customer's needs over your own.
The book's most memorable stories are from his horrible mistakes, like why saving ten minutes cost him $3.3 million dollars, and how he was attacked by Steve Jobs.
"Anything You Want" was first published by Seth Godin in 2011, then by Penguin/Portfolio in 2015. This third edition for 2022 was improved with eight new chapters.
Its surprisingly humanist approach to business, focusing on generosity and happiness more than profits, has helped thousands of entrepreneurs to re-focus on what matters and find their own path to success.
