Book ~ "Cold Hard Truth on Business, Money & Life" (2011) Kevin O'Leary

From Goodreads ~ Kevin O’Leary shares invaluable secrets on entrepreneurship, business, money and life. 

Can you make millions just by “visualizing yourself rich” as some business prophets suggest? Don’t buy it, says Kevin O’Leary. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur and amass wealth, you’re going to have to work for it. But the good news is: with the right guidance, focus and perseverance, you can turn entrepreneurial vision into lucrative reality and have the personal freedom that only wealth can buy. 

 Kevin O’Leary would know. The much-feared and revered Dragon on the immensely popular show "Dragons’ Den" (and "Shark Tank" in the U.S.) started his company in his basement with a $10,000 loan from his financially savvy mother. A few years later, Kevin sold that company for more than four billion dollars. In this compelling, candid and, above all else, brutally honest business memoir, Kevin provides engaging, practical advice and lessons that will give anyone a distinct competitive edge.

I work in the financial services industry (in retirement planning) and like reading books about managing money.  I'd read O'Leary's book, The Cold Hard Truth On Men, Women and Money, last month and enjoyed it.

This is his story from the time he was a kid and the lessons he learned from his mom and stepdad, realizing he is an entrepreneur not an employee, starting his first business in his basement, becoming a millionaire, his highs and lows and more.  As a fan of Dragons' Den and Shark Tank, it was interesting to get the scoop on these shows ... he even provides tips on how to provide the perfect pitch.  Along the way, there are quizzes and tips to see if you have what it takes to make the sale (I don't), if you are an employee or an employer (I'm an employee), rules for a successful partnerships, how to be a star employee, how to be a great boss, etc.

I liked the writing style and thought it flowed well.  Since I watched the author on Dragons' Den and Shark Tank, I would hear "Mr. Wonderful's" voice in his writing ... it's direct and there's no BS.  He says he has no qualms about whacking (aka firing) someone and I believe it.  There are pictures throughout the book of him and his family throughout the years, even pictures of Kevin with hair!

I'd recommend this book ... it was an interesting and entertaining read.