About the book
Ed McLaughlin left a high-level corporate post to start two businesses, while colleagues told him he was crazy and would fail. One of them did fail; the other he bootstrapped into an Inc. 500 company that he later sold to a Fortune 100 buyer. Written with Wyn Lydecker, the book uses both outcomes to show what to do and what to avoid in a startup. It argues that distinctive competence beats passion, that profit belongs in every business decision, and that ethical conduct builds trust. It also covers funding without losing control and building a lasting brand, and includes two manuals: a 21-step Startup Roadmap and a Startup Funding Guide.
Larry King praised its focus on weighing profit in every business decision, and Barbara Corcoran endorsed it as a roadmap for winning the startup game. Grand Reserve Inn CEO Maggie Wilderotter likened it to an MBA in entrepreneurship.
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This book has 10 recommendations
Barbara Corcoran (Founder/The Corcoran Group)
The Purpose Is Profit provides the roadmap and motivation needed to win the startup game. It is required reading for every entrepreneur committed to building a profitable business.
Joel Peterson (Chairman/jetBlue Airways)
There are no shortcuts. Startup success requires a solid business model, disciplined execution, and a profound commitment. 'The Purpose Is Profit' provides blueprints and tools entrepreneurs need to start and scale a business.
Larry King (Worldwide Television and Radio Host)
Unlike so many books on entrepreneurship, 'The Purpose Is Profit' gets at the nub of what it takes to build a successful business. Ed talks the talk, and walks the walk, about the importance of factoring profit into every business decision.
Rohan Marley (Chairman/Marley Coffee)
Ed's book isn't just about profit - it's about following your inner voice and your destiny. It's about succeeding through integrity and giving back. It will put you on the path to responsible prosperity.
Michael Critelli (CEO/Pitney Bowes)
This is an excellent book. 'The Purpose Is Profit' powerfully describes the principles profitable businesses must follow and how failure to adhere to every one of those principles takes a business owner over that fine line into unprofitability. The book is exceptionally practical and candid, since, alongside his success story, one of the authors freely describes what caused his other start-up business to fail.
Maggie Wilderotter (CEO/The Grand Reserve Inn)
The Purpose Is Profit' is both entertaining and educational. It is like getting an MBA in entrepreneurship in 300 pages. This is a must-read book for any aspiring entrepreneur.
John ''Randy'' MacDonald (CFO/TD Ameritrade)
Ed McLaughlin's book, 'The Purpose Is Profit,' is a powerful guide for entrepreneurs at any stage. It combines the inside story with the tools you need to build a profitable business. I'll be encouraging everyone with a startup dream to read this book.
Pamela Newman (CEO/The Newman Group)
I run an entrepreneurially driven group within a large organization and have asked our team to read the book and share five key takeaways they will use to transform our business. I am betting on a 5% increase in year-over-year growth across my team from implementing the advice in 'The Purpose is Profit'
Mykalai Kontilai (Founder/Collectors Café)
The Purpose Is Profit' is direct and honest. It makes no excuses about the hard knocks you'll face in building your own business. The book puts you in the shoes of the entrepreneur, conveying the good, the bad, and the ugly of what it takes to scale your own business.
Bill Scheller (CEO/BlackHawk Industrial)
Building a business is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging experiences of a lifetime. If you are planning to start a business, why not mitigate your risk by reading 'The Purpose Is Profit?' No one can promise instant success, but following the proven roadmap in this book will substantially increase your probability of startup success.
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See more books recommended by
Barbara Corcoran, Joel Peterson, Larry King, Rohan Marley, Michael Critelli, Maggie Wilderotter, John ''Randy'' MacDonald, Pamela Newman, Mykalai Kontilai, Bill Scheller
See more books written by
Ed ''Skip'' McLaughlin, Wyn Lydecker

