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The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 7,444 ratings

In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau tells you how to lead of life of adventure, meaning and purpose - and earn a good living.

Still in his early 30s, Chris is on the verge of completing a tour of every country on earth - he's already visited more than 175 nations - and yet he’s never held a "real job" or earned a regular paycheck. Rather, he has a special genius for turning ideas into income, and he uses what he earns both to support his life of adventure and to give back.

There are many others like Chris - those who've found ways to opt out of traditional employment and create the time and income to pursue what they find meaningful. Sometimes, achieving that perfect blend of passion and income doesn't depend on shelving what you currently do. You can start small with your venture, committing little time or money, and wait to take the real plunge when you're sure it's successful.

In preparing to write this book, Chris identified 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from a modest investment (in many cases, $100 or less), and from that group he’s chosen to focus on the 50 most intriguing case studies. In nearly all cases, people with no special skills discovered aspects of their personal passions that could be monetized, and were able to restructure their lives in ways that gave them greater freedom and fulfillment.

Here, finally, distilled into one easy-to-use guide, are the most valuable lessons from those who’ve learned how to turn what they do into a gateway to self-fulfillment. It’s all about finding the intersection between your "expertise" - even if you don’t consider it such - and what other people will pay for. You don’t need an MBA, a business plan or even employees. All you need is a product or service that springs from what you love to do anyway, people willing to pay, and a way to get paid.

Not content to talk in generalities, Chris tells you exactly how many dollars his group of unexpected entrepreneurs required to get their projects up and running; what these individuals did in the first weeks and months to generate significant cash; some of the key mistakes they made along the way, and the crucial insights that made the business stick. Among Chris’s key principles: if you’re good at one thing, you’re probably good at something else; never teach a man to fish - sell him the fish instead; and in the battle between planning and action, action wins.

In ancient times, people who were dissatisfied with their lives dreamed of finding magic lamps, buried treasure, or streets paved with gold. Today, we know that it’s up to us to change our lives. And the best part is, if we change our own life, we can help others change theirs. This remarkable book will start you on your way.

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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 14 minutes
Author Chris Guillebeau
Narrator Chris Guillebeau, Thomas Vincent Kelly
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 08, 2012
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0081CDIGW
Best Sellers Rank #3,321 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#11 in Small Businesses
#23 in Small Business (Books)
#29 in Entrepreneurship (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
7,444 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book inspirational and insightful, providing valuable lessons and examples for starting a meaningful business. They describe it as an easy, fun read with a clear writing style. Readers appreciate the value for money, saying it offers substantive guidance on creating a start-up with very little investment. The book provides helpful tips on starting and running a business with little or no money. It encourages people to start now instead of waiting until all their ducks are in place. Overall, customers find the book business-oriented and motivational.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

593 customers mention "Inspirational content"583 positive10 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and insightful for microbusinesses. They appreciate the valuable lessons and examples presented in it. The book provides useful advice from a genuine source, making it refreshing to receive business advice from someone who truly wants to help. Readers mention it's useful for entrepreneurs as it provides practical information about unconventional strategies with solid case studies and interviews from around the world.

"...That said, it is not an overflow of too much information...." Read more

"...It is always refreshing to get business advice from someone who actually wants to help people." Read more

"...This ultimately leads to better health, more happiness, and endless creativity and contribution...." Read more

"...It is a profile of successful startup businesses, that have been significantly successful for their owners, with a minimum initial investment...." Read more

515 customers mention "Readability"510 positive5 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the good content and guidance for creating a start-up. The book is well-written and has an engaging style. Readers find the stories worth the price.

"...This book is extremely well written, interesting, easy to read...." Read more

"...The book is a quick and fun read, and covers an incredibly wide range of topics, ranging from location independence to health insurance, from an..." Read more

"...This one provides case studies profiling the fun opportunities you can create for yourself when you choose to do what you love in exchange for..." Read more

"...The context in which the book is written is what's made it so enjoyable as the author tells several different stories that makes you more than a..." Read more

199 customers mention "Ease of read"184 positive15 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and straightforward. They appreciate the clear writing style and helpful guidance. The book is not a complex MBA text.

"...It is succinct in its advice, and orderly - there isn't an overload of text in haphazard placement and order...." Read more

"...The main thing I like about this book is how straightforward the author put everything, there wasn't a point in which I felt like I didn't..." Read more

"...For good parts, the book is easy to read. It will inspire many people to do what they enjoy. It does provide a starting point...." Read more

"...It seems so simple on paper, but that's the genius behind Chris' work: he takes these big, scary, often ovewhelming processes and gives a step-by-..." Read more

72 customers mention "Value for money"55 positive17 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They find it offers useful guidance on starting a business with minimal investment. The book provides techniques for pricing, researching a product, and marketing your product. It also outlines how to operate a business on a limited budget while delivering great service.

"...have been significantly successful for their owners, with a minimum initial investment...." Read more

"...Chris systematically breaks down the psychological, financial, and structural barriers (perceived or real) that often get in the way of people..." Read more

"...who've been successful at starting their own businesses with very little startup cost while detailing how they did it in the hopes that it helps..." Read more

"...n't doubt that he did extensive research, but this book is just not worth the money...." Read more

63 customers mention "Start-up advice"52 positive11 negative

Customers find the book helpful for starting and running a business. They say it provides good stories and helpful tips on how to start a business with little or no money. The book encourages people to start now instead of waiting until everything is perfect, and it gives them the courage to get started. It also discusses simplicity and entrepreneurs who started from scratch without much investment.

"...The book is a quick and fun read, and covers an incredibly wide range of topics, ranging from location independence to health insurance, from an..." Read more

"...in an enlightening way, a way that made it seem worthwhile and not overwhelming. I cherish this...." Read more

"...look at what has worked in the past, and distilled it into some simple worksheets, questions, and strategic planning methods that have both..." Read more

"The book is a great generic starter for anyone with the desire to start their own business...." Read more

43 customers mention "Business oriented"34 positive9 negative

Customers find the book helpful for creating successful businesses. They say it gives them the courage and encouragement to make money. The book provides good examples of successful businesses run by all sorts of people. It outlines some good monetization strategies regardless of business type. Readers appreciate how the author shared their actual income from the business.

"...from the initial step of the idea, to how to research and build your product or service, how to market it, and how to build your business...." Read more

"...transitioning adults who are eager to begin crafting a tiny yet profitable business, right now. -Blake Boles..." Read more

"...The financials are realistic numbers, therefore setting reasonable expectations (hopefully) for people who might consider trying or benchmarking...." Read more

"...the $100 Startup fell short is that it was so heavy on success stories by successful small businesses where almost identical ideas by equally eager..." Read more

40 customers mention "Book style"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-presented with simple advice. They appreciate the detailed case studies and realistic illustrations of concepts. The book provides a step-by-step guide to launching a business, as well as templates and stories of real life people. Overall, readers find it an easy read that is both informative and charming.

"...'s second and is a bit more polished than his first, while being equally charming...." Read more

"...The format of the book was interesting and was something I haven’t seen before...." Read more

"...everyone seeking to take their fate into their own hands and carve out unique work...." Read more

"Chris, does a great job in outlining and providing solid examples on how to start a biz on the cheap...." Read more

138 customers mention "Idea generation"86 positive52 negative

Customers have different views on the book's idea generation. Some find it provides detailed explanations of business plans and processes, including understanding customer needs. Others feel it lacks specific details and is more motivational, with case studies lacking depth. Overall, opinions vary on whether the book provides sufficient information for business creation.

"...The book is a quick and fun read, and covers an incredibly wide range of topics, ranging from location independence to health insurance, from an..." Read more

"...with a line underneath it, signifying that the author hadn't given enough information. How exactly did business owner A accomplish task B?..." Read more

"...The most useful part of the book (for me) was the detailed break-down of several critical processes in business creation...." Read more

"...and distilled it into some simple worksheets, questions, and strategic planning methods that have both immediate and long-term benefits...." Read more

Not just for beginners.
5 out of 5 stars
Not just for beginners.
An inspiring and thought-provoking book not just for start-up businesses,but also for established businesses interested in reinventing and retoolingthemselves for the future. If, when you think of business, you thinkabout venture capital and IPOs, then there are already plenty of booksout there for you. But if instead you dream of doing what you love andgetting paid for it, The $100 Startup is a must-read. Not a road mapto guaranteed financial success, but rather a how-to guide for your ownoff-trail adventure into the world of self-employment.Guillebeau articulates things about business (yes, even my own business)I've thought about and I suppose have known for years, but just didn'thave the words to say. He is a shrewd observer, particularly of therelationship between a business and its customers or clients. Hisobservation that old-school definitions of "demographics" and"target markets" may no longer apply are spot-on, as ishis advice on eschewing the all-sacred business plan in favor of adirect-action approach. His discussions on product launching,self-promotion ("hustling"), "contest" vs "giveaway", "benefits" vs"features," "value" vs "cost" are far-reaching yet concise.On avocation morphing into vocation, Guillebeau asks the veryimportant question "will it ruin your hobby if you turn it into abusiness?" His nuancing of that question helped a lot: perhaps acertain aspect of one's hobby (or something tangential to it) mightmore than pay the bills and not spoil the fun.The businesses portrayed in this book seem very humane and their ownersdown-to-earth - all had some important lesson to share, and they wererollicking good stories, too! Sure, I wanted to read The $100 Startup tosee my own company immortalized in print, but I came away trulyinspired, refreshed and ready for the next chapter in my business.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024
    I got this book from the library and liked it so much that I bought it. I thought I might write out highlights and steps, but there is too much to do that. That said, it is not an overflow of too much information. I have read books that are hard to follow, hard to pinpoint where to start, what to do next. It is just information vomit.

    This book is extremely well written, interesting, easy to read. It is succinct in its advice, and orderly - there isn't an overload of text in haphazard placement and order. I wanted to have this book as I get my business set up and on their way. I want to have the best chance I can to do the best job I can, to give it a good and honest go. I believe this book is going to help me immensely.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2012
    The $100 Startup is the latest offering from the amazing Chris Guillebeau, who runs a fun blog at The Art of Non-conformity, where he writes great manifestos, updates readers on his mission to visit every single country by the time he turns 35 (he has about 10 months to visit the last 10 countries on his list), and sells some nifty e-books to aspiring travel hackers and creative entrepreneurs.

    This book is Guillebeau's second and is a bit more polished than his first, while being equally charming. As expected from the title, the $100 Startup focuses on people who built profitable business with small amounts of startup capital, and now earn at least $50,000 a year. Guillebeau definitely did his research for this one, with detailed anecdotes from successful entrepreneurs were woven seamlessly into key points he was trying to make.

    If you have a vague idea and are looking to quit your job and start anew, but really have no idea where to start or what to consider, the book provides a very good primer. You'll have all sorts of checklists and guidelines to consider (some of which are available for free on 100startup.com), and all sorts of information you likely hadn't even considered.

    The book is a quick and fun read, and covers an incredibly wide range of topics, ranging from location independence to health insurance, from an info product launch to making decisions about everything from outsourcing to choosing between ideas for projects.

    The only place where I felt the $100 Startup fell short is that it was so heavy on success stories by successful small businesses where almost identical ideas by equally eager and skilled individuals have fallen flat. Although Guillebeau touches on areas that could lead to less-than-stellar results, and even focused on specific missteps of the successful entrepreneurs he profiled, this may not be the best book for people who make a passable living from their business but want to get to that $50,000+/year level.
    On the plus side, Chris Guillebeau's integrity and generosity really shines through in the book. The $100 Startup is a breath of fresh air if you're used to reading ones fixated on marketing gimicks; he asks the reader to focus on how you can actually improve people's lives-not how you can convince them that you are. It is always refreshing to get business advice from someone who actually wants to help people.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
    If you are just starting out as an entrepreneur, this is an excellent resource. I appreciate Chris Guillebeau's optimism and imagination, and I always get a surge of inspiration after reading one of his books.

    I started my business in 2006, and I have read many business books over the years. This one provides case studies profiling the fun opportunities you can create for yourself when you choose to do what you love in exchange for money.

    I have modeled my own business after this concept with much success. The seed was planted way back in 2008 when I read 'The 4-Hour Workweek' by Tim Ferriss. Lifestyle design became my primary focus and I built my business to support my travel dreams. More freedom, better health, and more time with my loved ones became my goals.

    Most people don't think like this. It's the other way around: Focus on making tons of money and ultimately working long hours and sacrificing your mental health and your relationships in the process. 'The $100 Startup' shows you how to take control of your life and build your business to support your dreams. This ultimately leads to better health, more happiness, and endless creativity and contribution.

    While this book was more long-winded and repetitive than I would have liked, I still enjoyed it and I think it's a must read for those just starting to build their dream business. If you've been in business for yourself for a long time, this book will provide some much needed ideas and inspiration, too.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book
    Reviewed in India on May 27, 2023
    The book was extremely good. If anyone who is still struggling to find a way to entrepreneurship then this book will definitely help you
  • Nick Pistorius
    3.0 out of 5 stars het boek
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on January 11, 2023
    er staan handige tips in, maar mensen die het lezen moeten begrijpen dat ze zelf nogsteeds werk moeten doen om iets te beginnen
  • Victor Santos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 28, 2020
    Es un buen libro, te muestra como hacer un negocio desde la perspectiva de tu hobbie. Señala que hay cosas que disfrutas hacer y que estas mismas pueden tener un valor en el mercado. Para todo aquel que busca empezar un negocio, este libro te permite empezar a pensar desde otra prespectiva.
  • zainuddin musli
    3.0 out of 5 stars Storyline of business
    Reviewed in Singapore on December 14, 2024
    For business method
  • MLD
    5.0 out of 5 stars love
    Reviewed in Australia on March 18, 2024
    Life changing stuff. Really enjoyed the lessons I learned that will help me turn around after my first “failed” business and do the right thing in my next one!