MP Review: “Lucky or Smart?: Secrets to an Entrepreneurial Life”
4 of 5 Petals
It is not often that a book under 60 pages has a lot to say, but that is exactly the case with Bo Peabody’s Lucky or Smart? While thin, the book proves to be an amazing asset for the young entrepreneur. Mr. Peabody, founded Tripod in the early days of the 90’s and sold it to Lycos at the height of the bubble for $58 million in stock. He agreed to a “lockup,” which meant that he could not sell for 2 years, during which time the stock went up tenfold. This inspiring series of events all occurred before Mr. Peabody’s 28th birthday, forcing him to forever answer answer the question: Where you lucky or smart?
With this book he is determined to answer that question through a series of anecdotes and a great deal of advice. As evidenced by the size of Lucky or Smart?, Mr. Peabody does not have a large ego, but he explains how he used his young, rebellious image to his advantage as he grew Tripod. His book is written in a very disarming style and he has an affable manner. His tale is couched within the idea that “A” students, managers, and “B” students, entrepreneurs, must work together symbiotically to achieve a successful business.
His techniques are not exactly what you would learn in business school, but then again he seems to believe that entrepreneurs are born, not made. He explains how “B” students are innovative, risk takers with short attention spans (i.e. the 60 page book). However, the “A” students are focused and more likely to be grounded. This explanation is quite intriguing and opens the door for some great conversation. The same gifts that make Mr. Peabody a successful entrepreneur also make his book great: attention to detail, an eye for quality, and an outside the box mentality.
I strongly recommend this book if for no other reason than there isn’t a better way to spend an hour of reading. Mr. Peabody understands the circumstances that caused his success and because of this he is able to give the reader a great deal of perspective. We may not all be able to make $500 million by the time we are 27, but we can definitely try and, this book is a great place to start.
Arlen Marmel is founder of Teez Whiz
5 Comments
Andy Drish
May 11th, 2007 at 12:04 am
His reasoning about A vs B students is very interesting. I had always been an A student (or close)…. Until this year.
This year I became much more involved in business plan competitions, creating a business, and writing a book. My outlook on life has completely changed. Whenever I come across a problem, I always think: What is the solution? Can I make money at it?
Naturally, grades have not been near as much of a priority…. as my GPA would show….
(Which is why I’m reading blogs right now instead of studying for my final tomorrow)
David Askaripour
May 11th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Andy, right on. I think you have your head in the right place. Your business should be your priority — if you are truly passionate about it — not your grades. Ha, I remember asking myself in college: “how is getting an A on this exam really going to make a difference with my startup?” And though I did do well in school, it had no impact on my business. Good luck on your final, hehe… but even better: much success to you with your business!
Arlen Marmel
May 11th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I don’t think its as much about literally getting A’s and B’s as it is about the mentality supporting the types of people that achieve those grades.
Bo Peabody comes off as the type of entrepreneur that is humble and knows his own limitations. He understands that you cannot do everything yourself and that is precisely why he advocates surrounding yourself with people who are good at what you aren’t.
Which is good advice for any entrepreneur!
Learn to be Proud of Your “Bad” Grades if You Earned Them » Born Entrepreneur - Stories, Thoughts & Analysis
May 11th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
[...] just read a post and subsequent comment discussion over at Mind Petals: Youth Entrepreneur Network that talked about A students vs. B students. “‘B’ students are innovative, risk [...]
b.e.
May 11th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Great post! Even inspired me to make a blog post of my own. Check it out if you’re interested…
Learn to be Proud of Your “Bad” Grades if You Earned Them
Leave a Comment