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Secret to Startup Failure: Fail Fast. Fail Cheap. Fail Happy.
For those who are crazy enough to keep failing...
Award winning entrepreneur and author of popular webcomic series EntrepreNo's: Secret to Startup Failure Sonia Lin unveils a startup life full of failures, based off her iconic humor in the webcomics that are weaved into practical themes in a startup life, coupled with words of advice to fellow entrepreneurs. The "fail fast, fail cheap, fail happy" mantra of this book commits to promoting work-life balance and the ability to look beyond and laugh at the startup life vicissitudes in order to achieve long-term entrepreneurial success.
Get ready for Secret to Startup Failure to:
● Get over a less-than-successful launch day
● Pick a co-founder who provides politics-free companionship
● Interpret productivity from the garbage can
● Have an investor call on St. Patrick's Day
● ... and more
Startup life is long, so fail where you should, and laugh when you can.
Award winning entrepreneur and author of popular webcomic series EntrepreNo's: Secret to Startup Failure Sonia Lin unveils a startup life full of failures, based off her iconic humor in the webcomics that are weaved into practical themes in a startup life, coupled with words of advice to fellow entrepreneurs. The "fail fast, fail cheap, fail happy" mantra of this book commits to promoting work-life balance and the ability to look beyond and laugh at the startup life vicissitudes in order to achieve long-term entrepreneurial success.
Get ready for Secret to Startup Failure to:
● Get over a less-than-successful launch day
● Pick a co-founder who provides politics-free companionship
● Interpret productivity from the garbage can
● Have an investor call on St. Patrick's Day
● ... and more
Startup life is long, so fail where you should, and laugh when you can.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2014
57 people are currently reading
3316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 24, 2014
So many people have big dreams, but fear holds them back. They are afraid to fail! The biggest kept secret is that more than likely success is dependent on failure. If you don't know what doesn't work, how can you ever figure out what does?
It is very important to take failure into consideration when you are making your business plan. Blowout success right out of the gate is the exception to the rule.
I also really liked how the author uses humor to get the point across. Really adds a nice touch to the book without being over the top or forced.
Definitely highly recommend this to anyone who dreams of starting their own business.
It is very important to take failure into consideration when you are making your business plan. Blowout success right out of the gate is the exception to the rule.
I also really liked how the author uses humor to get the point across. Really adds a nice touch to the book without being over the top or forced.
Definitely highly recommend this to anyone who dreams of starting their own business.
February 26, 2014
Believe in Your Self that’s all the book Says
Just a Week ago I bought this book. As I am not a regular reader I only pick the book by looking at their title. As the title was interesting (Secret To Startup Failure). It was interesting. I read the whole book in approximately 9 days and I felt that the book mainly stress upon increasing Self confidence, patience and to increase stamina for hearing every type of reviews whether its right or wrong .But you should stay on your aim and believe in yourself. And that’s all the book is about. I invite the youth to buy this book and read it carefully because these days youth lacks confidence and self Belief.
Just a Week ago I bought this book. As I am not a regular reader I only pick the book by looking at their title. As the title was interesting (Secret To Startup Failure). It was interesting. I read the whole book in approximately 9 days and I felt that the book mainly stress upon increasing Self confidence, patience and to increase stamina for hearing every type of reviews whether its right or wrong .But you should stay on your aim and believe in yourself. And that’s all the book is about. I invite the youth to buy this book and read it carefully because these days youth lacks confidence and self Belief.
January 16, 2014
In Secret to Startup Failure, Sonia Lin has created a perfect and much needed reference guide for new entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The chapters are full of direct, no nonsense facts about the reality of business, and they are accompanies by humorous comic strips that work well together to help illustrate the facts of business life to the reader. There are plenty of books out there geared toward your success, but none of them are covering the very real and necessary experience of failure. From my own professional experience I can tell you that failure is the most valuable learning tool for a businessperson. We have to fail in order to create better plan and know what works. Insightful and matter of fact, this book is a must read for the startup business person.
March 2, 2014
Book Tells Never Back Down
I read this book. To be true I am also thinking to start my own enterprise. I was afraid that what will happen after the start, as I am new for business. I have to face the real circumstances but after reading this book, I am sure that I would be able to handle public dealings. This book tells how to deal with business and business people with confidence. After all public dealing is the toughest part of business. You don’t know people and underestimate or overestimate them. This book reveals you the real truth about them. This is a must read book for people who wants to start new business.
I read this book. To be true I am also thinking to start my own enterprise. I was afraid that what will happen after the start, as I am new for business. I have to face the real circumstances but after reading this book, I am sure that I would be able to handle public dealings. This book tells how to deal with business and business people with confidence. After all public dealing is the toughest part of business. You don’t know people and underestimate or overestimate them. This book reveals you the real truth about them. This is a must read book for people who wants to start new business.
February 27, 2014
This Depicts my story, when I started as an Entrepreneur
Oh my god. This book is the true story of mine. When I started as an entrepreneur I overcame the same obstacles in my path, some of the mind wrecking people who don’t want you to be successful always become obstacle in your path but if u tackles them with your own awareness you can beat them and become the best from them. Mainly the book keeps saying that your calmness and gentleness can get you out of the box. This is all you need to become the king of the ring. Thanks to the writer for such a motivational book.
Oh my god. This book is the true story of mine. When I started as an entrepreneur I overcame the same obstacles in my path, some of the mind wrecking people who don’t want you to be successful always become obstacle in your path but if u tackles them with your own awareness you can beat them and become the best from them. Mainly the book keeps saying that your calmness and gentleness can get you out of the box. This is all you need to become the king of the ring. Thanks to the writer for such a motivational book.
March 2, 2014
Gateway to success is here, new Entrepreneurs must read
I am glad to say that, this book is best guide to the people who want to start a business but do not start due to low confidence. But here is the solution to their low confidence and failures. I read this book and I experience that that’s the same thing happened to me when I was an entrepreneur and the book describes the best way to tackle those problems overcoming the failures which often occurs in every business, that’s not a big issue. But the big issue is “how to tackle them” and get rid of them. Highly recommended!
I am glad to say that, this book is best guide to the people who want to start a business but do not start due to low confidence. But here is the solution to their low confidence and failures. I read this book and I experience that that’s the same thing happened to me when I was an entrepreneur and the book describes the best way to tackle those problems overcoming the failures which often occurs in every business, that’s not a big issue. But the big issue is “how to tackle them” and get rid of them. Highly recommended!
September 18, 2018
A fairly ordinary book with no real depth. However, for someone totally uninitiated to startup, it might be a good starting point to cover in under a couple of hours.
January 19, 2014
Clever & Witty While Providing Brilliant Insights For Business Builders!
An Enjoyable and comical read that will help you to pick yourself up and dust yourself off if you’ve hit a roadblock on your way to fortune and fame—or if you have some major pitfalls to overcome, this book will help you see the Lighter side of things and help you to find more balance in your life. The insights within this little book are phenomenal and really motivational. All failures lead to success for those of us that never give up. Yes, there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other…and keep going! I love the anecdotal way the ‘Secret to Startup Failure’ was written. It was both an enlightening and refreshing read—I found myself laughing more than anything and sometimes that is just what you need to motivate yourself and realize that we are not alone on our journey!
Sonia Lin did a fantastic job with this clever delivery. She is both articulate and candid in her writing and knows how to captivate her audience! I found a lot of insights that will help to prepare me for future setbacks that could arise—this allows me to plan ahead and know exactly what to expect, Thank You! Amazing Illustrations combined with Tongue-in-cheek humor will keep you in a better state of mind to handle all the ‘could be’ catastrophes that may come your way.
I have read a lot of business books and I would certainly recommend this eBook to any new or seasoned entrepreneur as it provides practical advice and sound practices to overcome obstacles dished out to the reader in a light-hearted and humorous way. I wish there was a print copy of it available also as it would be a perfect coffee table book for those days I am burnt out and don’t want to even look at any type of computer screen!!
In Summary: A Job well done, Candid, Comical, Practical and Uplifting! Brilliant Writing skills and a ‘Must Have’ for any Entrepreneur! Two thumbs up!
An Enjoyable and comical read that will help you to pick yourself up and dust yourself off if you’ve hit a roadblock on your way to fortune and fame—or if you have some major pitfalls to overcome, this book will help you see the Lighter side of things and help you to find more balance in your life. The insights within this little book are phenomenal and really motivational. All failures lead to success for those of us that never give up. Yes, there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other…and keep going! I love the anecdotal way the ‘Secret to Startup Failure’ was written. It was both an enlightening and refreshing read—I found myself laughing more than anything and sometimes that is just what you need to motivate yourself and realize that we are not alone on our journey!
Sonia Lin did a fantastic job with this clever delivery. She is both articulate and candid in her writing and knows how to captivate her audience! I found a lot of insights that will help to prepare me for future setbacks that could arise—this allows me to plan ahead and know exactly what to expect, Thank You! Amazing Illustrations combined with Tongue-in-cheek humor will keep you in a better state of mind to handle all the ‘could be’ catastrophes that may come your way.
I have read a lot of business books and I would certainly recommend this eBook to any new or seasoned entrepreneur as it provides practical advice and sound practices to overcome obstacles dished out to the reader in a light-hearted and humorous way. I wish there was a print copy of it available also as it would be a perfect coffee table book for those days I am burnt out and don’t want to even look at any type of computer screen!!
In Summary: A Job well done, Candid, Comical, Practical and Uplifting! Brilliant Writing skills and a ‘Must Have’ for any Entrepreneur! Two thumbs up!
January 2, 2015
What I loved about this book is the hilarity and maturity with which the author tackled workplace stress.
While it is so easy to think of living life as in Indie Author or an artist, it depends so much on so many external forces which you cannot control. It becomes so difficult to look at life or even work objectively. Or even be motivated. Forget about what any entrepreneur feels, to be motivated in our working lives is so difficult. Life is tough! People and circumstances can seem to conspire against you sometimes and make it tougher.
Sonia Lin gives us some simple reminders, points which we may overlook but which bear a lot of weight when it comes to making your entrepreneurial life a success. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this book. It takes a hard boiled egg and a mature one at that to laugh at problems so debilitating as a start up failure. I appreciate the ability of the author to look at her vast experience in the start-up world through a kaleidoscope of emotions and brings out something which is useful and also brings a person down to earth. It is easy to get carried away in the emotions which come with your first experience doing jobs on your own!
Like Sonia says, lets fail cheap, fail fast and fail easy. At least while looking at the illustrations let’s take life lightly and realize that perhaps tomorrow will be a better day!!
Definitely a good read.
While it is so easy to think of living life as in Indie Author or an artist, it depends so much on so many external forces which you cannot control. It becomes so difficult to look at life or even work objectively. Or even be motivated. Forget about what any entrepreneur feels, to be motivated in our working lives is so difficult. Life is tough! People and circumstances can seem to conspire against you sometimes and make it tougher.
Sonia Lin gives us some simple reminders, points which we may overlook but which bear a lot of weight when it comes to making your entrepreneurial life a success. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this book. It takes a hard boiled egg and a mature one at that to laugh at problems so debilitating as a start up failure. I appreciate the ability of the author to look at her vast experience in the start-up world through a kaleidoscope of emotions and brings out something which is useful and also brings a person down to earth. It is easy to get carried away in the emotions which come with your first experience doing jobs on your own!
Like Sonia says, lets fail cheap, fail fast and fail easy. At least while looking at the illustrations let’s take life lightly and realize that perhaps tomorrow will be a better day!!
Definitely a good read.
April 10, 2014
Sonia Lin hit the nail on the head with this quirky, fun look into everything involved with starting a business. Keep in mind it isn't a how to, or anything like that. It's more like insight, things to think about, and what not to do.
I own a small business, and I can defiantly relate to almost every point Sonia touches on. It is encouraging to know that you aren't alone is the struggles, and possible failures that come with this type of venture.
The author has a comic series EntrepreNo's: Secret to Startup Failure, and if it is anything like the wonderful illustrations and mini comics in this book I will have to take a look. This book doesn't focus on the illustrations, but they are a nice light hearted way to drive some of the points home.
Before I made my own startup, I worked for many years in management of a large company. I can honestly say that a lot of this book can relate to my years in that role as well. So just because you don't run, or aren't planning a startup it doesn't mean you can't take anything away from this.
The only complaint I have is, I wish there was a print edition. The way the book is laid out is very nice, and allows you to jump around (out of chronological order) and not get lost. With that, and the illustrations it would be nice as a book to keep out, in the office.
I recommend this to anyone in the business world, whether in management or a start up venture.
I own a small business, and I can defiantly relate to almost every point Sonia touches on. It is encouraging to know that you aren't alone is the struggles, and possible failures that come with this type of venture.
The author has a comic series EntrepreNo's: Secret to Startup Failure, and if it is anything like the wonderful illustrations and mini comics in this book I will have to take a look. This book doesn't focus on the illustrations, but they are a nice light hearted way to drive some of the points home.
Before I made my own startup, I worked for many years in management of a large company. I can honestly say that a lot of this book can relate to my years in that role as well. So just because you don't run, or aren't planning a startup it doesn't mean you can't take anything away from this.
The only complaint I have is, I wish there was a print edition. The way the book is laid out is very nice, and allows you to jump around (out of chronological order) and not get lost. With that, and the illustrations it would be nice as a book to keep out, in the office.
I recommend this to anyone in the business world, whether in management or a start up venture.
January 17, 2014
First, I must say that I love this book. I found the book very helpful, if not a little alarming, because I was able to see myself, my life and starting a business in a new perspective. Many of us when we want to start a small business, or in our life generally, we are afraid of making mistakes, of failing. We imagined how the business will run and take the market by storm. We research how much our startup cost will be and then imagine ourselves smiling to the bank when profits start rolling in. We never give failing a chance. Forgetting that most successful people had once failed. We fail, learn from our mistakes and use this experience to be better at what we do. That is life.
This book is filled with great advice for the most often overlooked. It offers a fresh viewpoint on what is important to start and run a successful business. The ideas are worth reading and understanding.
It was well written with relevant examples and fine story-telling techniques combine to guide the reader seamlessly through all topics. This book has re-kindled my enthusiasm to be a better entrepreneur and to be a better person! It is a must read for everyone.
This book is filled with great advice for the most often overlooked. It offers a fresh viewpoint on what is important to start and run a successful business. The ideas are worth reading and understanding.
It was well written with relevant examples and fine story-telling techniques combine to guide the reader seamlessly through all topics. This book has re-kindled my enthusiasm to be a better entrepreneur and to be a better person! It is a must read for everyone.
January 22, 2014
Failure is a part of life. Successful people see failure as a learning experience, not as just another road block in this journey we call life. Author Sonia Lin uses humor to share what she has learned through such experiences and manages to make what could otherwise be a very dry subject, entertaining.
In today's tenuous economic environment, jobs can be scarce and many people are dreaming of starting their own business. This can be a very daunting proposition and many people never make it past the dreaming stage. Is it because they are afraid to fail? Is it because they don't know where to start? This book can help with both. In fact reading this book could be the best place to start and it demonstrates that some businesses fail and it is not the end of the world. By giving examples of specific errors many start up entrepreneurs make, anyone who reads this book has a leg up towards avoiding failure.
This book could be incredibly useful to anyone who has started their own business, wants to start their own business, or has been saying "maybe some day" longer than they would like to admit.
In today's tenuous economic environment, jobs can be scarce and many people are dreaming of starting their own business. This can be a very daunting proposition and many people never make it past the dreaming stage. Is it because they are afraid to fail? Is it because they don't know where to start? This book can help with both. In fact reading this book could be the best place to start and it demonstrates that some businesses fail and it is not the end of the world. By giving examples of specific errors many start up entrepreneurs make, anyone who reads this book has a leg up towards avoiding failure.
This book could be incredibly useful to anyone who has started their own business, wants to start their own business, or has been saying "maybe some day" longer than they would like to admit.
January 16, 2014
Like start-ups themselves, sometimes humor is the greatest disruptive force, helping you see things or solve problems in a new way. That's definitely the case with Secret to Startup Failure. Rich with insights and a-ha moments, I loved how this book defined the startup immersion experience brilliantly while offering the kind of immediately understandable advice that entrepreneurs needs from their trusted inner circle.
The book is full of snippets you'll want to share with others, because it's just that dead-on. Should you get a co-founder...or a cat? The perils of measuring success by "likes" and the rollercoasters of launch? Holiday conference calls? It's all in here. Lots of idea prompts, with comics to illustrate the topic in fresh ways, and jewels of insight to help you hone in on where your startup is at and what might help. The book is a great debrief to startup up culture and experience, and I recommend you get it for yourself to help you survive, and for your team to share some insight and the type of laughs that lead to innovation.
The book is full of snippets you'll want to share with others, because it's just that dead-on. Should you get a co-founder...or a cat? The perils of measuring success by "likes" and the rollercoasters of launch? Holiday conference calls? It's all in here. Lots of idea prompts, with comics to illustrate the topic in fresh ways, and jewels of insight to help you hone in on where your startup is at and what might help. The book is a great debrief to startup up culture and experience, and I recommend you get it for yourself to help you survive, and for your team to share some insight and the type of laughs that lead to innovation.
January 28, 2014
“The unfailed life is not worth living.”
There is something about someone who has everything handed to them and never taste defeat or failure. The book is written as the book’s title portrays (as well as the comics that the author regularly contributes to), as a “tongue-in-cheek” approach to start-ups and their rise or demise.
You aren’t your failure - a message that we have heard too seldom in the world of business. Sonia Lin wants to walk you through that reality in this text. You’ll laugh while reading and it’s funny because it is true. If you’re a failure (or you just want to wet your palate with defeat), pick up a copy of Lin’s book.
There is something about someone who has everything handed to them and never taste defeat or failure. The book is written as the book’s title portrays (as well as the comics that the author regularly contributes to), as a “tongue-in-cheek” approach to start-ups and their rise or demise.
You aren’t your failure - a message that we have heard too seldom in the world of business. Sonia Lin wants to walk you through that reality in this text. You’ll laugh while reading and it’s funny because it is true. If you’re a failure (or you just want to wet your palate with defeat), pick up a copy of Lin’s book.
February 25, 2014
Book Tells Never Back Down
I read this book. To be true I am also thinking to start my own enterprise. I was afraid that what will happen after the start, as I am new for business. I have to face the real circumstances but after reading this book, I am sure that I would be able to handle public dealings. This book tells how to deal with business and business people with confidence. After all public dealing is the toughest part of business. You don’t know people and underestimate or overestimate them. This book reveals you the real truth about them. This is a must read book for people who wants to start new business.
I read this book. To be true I am also thinking to start my own enterprise. I was afraid that what will happen after the start, as I am new for business. I have to face the real circumstances but after reading this book, I am sure that I would be able to handle public dealings. This book tells how to deal with business and business people with confidence. After all public dealing is the toughest part of business. You don’t know people and underestimate or overestimate them. This book reveals you the real truth about them. This is a must read book for people who wants to start new business.
March 2, 2014
Awesome book, Its “title” made me to buy it
At the first sight the title “secret to startup failure” of the book approached me to buy it .but not only the title is good, the content of the book is too good .It’s too much helpful in motivating me. I want to give a special thanks and appraisal to the author of the book and want them to keep writing such book which could be helpful for the present youth, who lacks in confidence and don’t even think to start their own business. This book completely describes the approach to start an enterprise which could even get failures, but don’t get afraid of circumstances.
At the first sight the title “secret to startup failure” of the book approached me to buy it .but not only the title is good, the content of the book is too good .It’s too much helpful in motivating me. I want to give a special thanks and appraisal to the author of the book and want them to keep writing such book which could be helpful for the present youth, who lacks in confidence and don’t even think to start their own business. This book completely describes the approach to start an enterprise which could even get failures, but don’t get afraid of circumstances.
March 5, 2014
It's about time someone decided to pen a book with a plethora of hints, tips and strategies that actually can help YOU succeed! It's perfect for future entrepreneurs and business-type people who just need a little push and/or edge to their approach. It's written so impeccably that it almost feels as if the author is having a conversation with you rather than reading a book. You may even find yourself nodding in agreement or stifling a giggle. This fantastic advice given wholeheartedly can even apply to day to day activities in the real world. Completely foolproof and a must have for anyone's bookshelf.
January 15, 2014
A brilliant book, full of useful advice for those aspiring to become entrepreneurs and those already in the process. Written by someone who has been down this road herself, this book comes across as very authentic. I particularly enjoyed the humorous approach with which the author addresses a very important topic. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more books by Sonia Lin.
June 28, 2015
This book is short, to the point, but not insightful in any way. If compared to John Maxwell or other amazing writers, this is not so great. Very basic and not much information that would be useful. Sorry
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews