How
To Get Rich, One of the World's Greatest
Entrepreneurs Shares His Secrets
by Felix Dennis
If
you are an entrepreneur or a business person of any stripe, you could do worse
than to take advice from U.K. publishing mogul, Felix Dennis.
In
his book, “How To Get Rich," Dennis dispenses a great deal of advice that
should be required reading for anyone who either wants to get rich or to
improve his/her fortunes as an entrepreneur. One assumes that he knows something
about this subject, having amassed a personal fortune worth, by his estimate,
between $400 and $900 million U.S.
How
did he do it? The old-fashioned, hardscrabble way: with blood, sweat and tears.
As a scruffy youth in London, England, Dennis started publishing a hippy
magazine in 1967. He made quick and easy money with that venture, which led to
a mail order business, and a publishing juggernaut that has continued rolling
along for the past 40 years. His stable of 50-plus publications include: Maxim, Mental Floss, Stuff, Computer Shopper
and The Week.
In
“How To Get Rich,” Dennis outlines the many skills required to making boatloads
of money. He constantly challenges readers to examine their true motivations, the
sacrifices that need to be made and the huge risks that need to be taken. He
pulls no punches: He writes: “If you truly believe that your race, sex or
upbringing can keep you from becoming rich, then you had best give up here…you
will never get rich.”
Dennis
proceeds to poke holes in much of the conventional wisdom about getting rich and pooh-poohs the slew of books on the subject penned by authors who have never
made millions themselves. He is equally dismissive of self-improvement books,
which are filled with false promises and empty platitudes.
He
has some refreshing insight to share with readers about the importance of
listening. “Listening is the most powerful weapon after self-belief and
persistence you can bring into play as an entrepreneur,” he writes.
“How
To Get Rich” is chock full of wit, humour, anecdotes, advice, opinions and
honesty. Here, you’ll learn all about the right decisions Dennis has made in
his career, as well as his admitted missteps. At one point in the late 1980s,
he came close to losing his fortune (and his life) by over-indulging in booze,
drugs and debauchery. But he caught himself in time and now leads a more balanced
life.
The
tone of the book is informal and assured; but beneath the strong opinions and
bravado is the heart of a beast that has fought and clawed its way to the highest
echelons of wealth and power.
One
of my favourite quotes has to do with seizing the moment. Dennis writes: “Whatever
your inclinations, your aptitude, your abilities or your preferences, never
shrink when opportunities arrive. If you have weighed the odds and find
yourself convinced, ignore the protestations of sensible people and their
conventional caution.”
“How
To Get Rich” is a practical business book about what it takes to acquire
tremendous wealth. For those who are committed to applying the techniques that Dennis
lays out, and learning from his mistakes, this could very well be a
life-changing book.
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