I just finished reading the most incredibly uplifting book: Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (CEO of Zappos). This is one of the few books I’ve ever read that presents itself in such a way that you have the feeling you are watching a movie.
Tony takes his readers on a journey from his childhood where he was reared in a progressive Asian family where his parents had very high expectations of their children. Tony knew from the time that he was a youth that he was to excel academically, master more than one instrument, and get into a top university.
The culture of excellence that was instilled in Tony as a young child followed him throughout his life and the book literally is an adventure in what it means to believe in and be true to yourself—-even when circumstances appear dire.
During this adventure, the reader witnesses Tony as he catches the entrepreneurial bug—-a bug that he was never able to shake. That bug led him to purchase his first ant farm when he was a little boy. It led him to his first paper route and then to his first money making venture—-his button making machine.
It was interesting to note that at no time did Tony’s parents attempt to “cure” him of the bug. They supported him in every venture and never tried to quench his imagination.
The bug was with Tony at Harvard where he opened up a pizza shop in his dorm building. And it was at Harvard that he met some of the life long friends who would eventually assist him in his success that he appreciates today.
Tony attempted to join the corporate world after graduation but—as you have probably guessed, the bug was still with him. He and his room mate [a Harvard friend] went on to create his first serious success—-Link Exchange which they eventually sold for multi-millions.
And finally, Tony shared the rough road that led him to success at Zappos. This book is great not only for entrepreneurs but for anyone who wants to receive a lesson in not giving up. Because in the end that’s what it is about. It’s about not allowing any obstacle to stand in the way of your dreams and exhausting every resource—-and even after that, not giving up.
It is impossible to capture the beauty and essence of this book via one review. You would simply need to read it yourself. Tony spent the latter part of the book discussing the culture that he and his employees built at Zappos and the role that the established culture plays in their continued success. And of course he discussed the fact that Amazon now owns Zappos, but his is now a billion dollar business, built from nothing!
Rush out and get this book TODAY. And be inspired!
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book to review and two copies to give away.
LINK and I’m happy to note that there is an “advance copy giveaway” program for those who have blogs. Check it out HERE
Photo Credit HERE