I’ve Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They’ve Got Nothing on You! Business Secrets from the Ultimate Street-Smart Entrepreneur: Jake Steinfeld
Editorial Reviews
After a brief career in professional bodybuilding, Jake Steinfeld found his calling in helping others pump themselves up. Beginning as a personal trainer to Hollywood celebrities, he soon started his remarkably successful Body by Jake brand of health and fitness programs. Now he hopes to motivate readers to start their own businesses. His experience of learning on the fly and following his instincts led him to believe that street-smart, self-taught entrepreneurs like him have a unique perspective on starting, running, and growing a business that MBA teachers and graduates don’t have. And he must be on to something–in addition to his workout videos and exercise products, he also started a 24-hour fitness television network (that he later sold for $500 million), a profession lacrosse league, and many other ventures.
In a humorous, down-to-earth way, Steinfeld offers practical tips on writing a business plan, building a team of partners, hiring and training employees, securing start-up money, branding and marketing, and even working with philanthropic organizations. Though the information he offers is not groundbreaking, the way he tells his own success story should inspire would-be entrepreneurs. Steinfeld obviously loves what he does and his enthusiasm is contagious. He wants people to not just build a career, but to build a life; something that makes them excited to go to work, or better yet, to not think of it as work at all. Breezy and fun to read, the book strives to help people find their motivation, pick a goal, learn from failures, and most importantly, never quit. Good advice for business or any other pursuit. –Shawn Carkonen
From Publishers Weekly
Here’s a book where the title really sets the tone—as the reader quickly learns, the fitness trainer and Body by Jake founder really has seen a lot of famous people naked (or at least in their workout clothes), including Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford. Of course, Steinfeld’s point is that everyone is pretty much the same underneath it all, and therefore business success is attainable to anyone willing to put in some dedicated effort. Indeed, Steinfeld himself proves an exemplary role model. Working his way up from an early career in bodybuilding, he started a personal training business that has since expanded to include a line of fitness products and a 24-hour cable station. While the book’s business start-up advice is basic and sometimes gets bogged down in details like how to register a Web site domain name, Steinfeld really hits his stride in the second half, where he talks about branding and marketing. Steinfeld’s goofy sense of humor also adds a down-to-earth honesty to the book and makes it a worthwhile read for those who need to get pumped up about starting a business. (Sept.)
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