Message Thread:
Paul Downs Book
8/11/15
When is the drop date Paul?
Where do we sign up?
8/12/15 #2: Paul Downs Book ...
Hot off the press, available at reputable bookstores and Amazon. Link below. Modesty kept me from tooting my own horn on this, but reviews have been very good, and I think that all of you would enjoy reading about my journey through a very difficult year. Plenty for fellow shop owners to relate to.
Boss Life by Paul Downs
8/12/15 #3: Paul Downs Book ...
Reputable books stores AND amazon?
8/12/15 #4: Paul Downs Book ...
We're all small business owners here, we can thank our lucky stars that there's no equivalent to Amazon entering our space. Big boxes aren't quite as difficult to compete with. Small bookstores should be patronized whenever possible. On the other hand, Amazon is real and they have e-books. So I'm trying to cut it both ways.
8/12/15 #5: Paul Downs Book ...
I think it is interesting that Amazon already lists 16 USED copies available.
By the way, what is that on the front cover? I can't figure it out.
8/13/15 #6: Paul Downs Book ...
Chewed up eraser end of a #2 pencil on the cover.
8/13/15 #7: Paul Downs Book ...
paul,
i saw this post, purchased the book for my kindle last night, and am 20% through it. you were kind enough to talk with me on the phone five or six years ago about independent reps when i first started to explore this for my company. i truly appreciated the time you took with me and, despite your woody allen performance and what i've read in the book so far, feel you're a very sharp guy.
struggling with cash flow (and money in general) is a common theme in our industry and definitely one that i can relate to, albeit, in smaller amounts. i'm just curious how you were able to continually loan your business money and avoid living on the street. the why is obvious, as you state early on, that your business is a personal extension of yourself and not just a place you go to work (same for other business owners and myself).
i'm seven years in but only on year two of being the sole breadwinner for the family. last year was well-time but this year has been a struggle with moving shop, and acquiring more machinery and guys ahead of potential work. the work is finally starting to trickle in to match our employee level and i'm in a hole for the year.
8/13/15 #8: Paul Downs Book ...
@Charles: there were used copies available before the book was even published. Apparently all of the big used booksellers will claim they have copies of every book that Amazon carries, figuring that they'll line some up if someone is interested, I guess. As for the cover photo, it is a chewed up pencil. My publishers chose that image, I think that anyone over 40 will get it but the younger folks will have no idea what it is. I didn't get to veto their choice.
@theGoogle: Where did the money come from? Customers, and some from my former partner. The business has collected about 27 million dollars from customers since the day I opened my doors, so there's cash flow to be directed this way and that even if I haven't been able to keep much of it. I spoke about this in detail in my Las Vegas lecture. I hope that I have a chance to speak to more woodworkers in the future, as it's more fun for me than speaking to a general audience.
8/13/15 #9: Paul Downs Book ...
@Paul
I'm over 40, but I never chewed pencils, so I did not recognize it. I learned to use a mechanical pencil (0.5mm) in a college drafting course and rarely pick up a yellow pencil.
Congratulations on the book and thank you for sharing!
8/14/15 #10: Paul Downs Book ...
Paul,
Congrats on the book. I will be putting in on my reading list for sure. I just missed you in Vegas, had a flight out Friday Morning.
8/14/15 #11: Paul Downs Book ...
22 pages in & I'm hooked!
8/15/15 #12: Paul Downs Book ...
Paul,
I have been listening to your book while out on our shop floor. I find audio books a great way to make the unavoidable mundane tasks we encounter some times, more enjoyable.
It is reassuring to be reminded that we are not alone in the struggle.
Thanks for sharing your story and sharing it so well.
8/15/15 #13: Paul Downs Book ...
paul,
great stuff. i finished it up earlier today. i learned plenty and am excited to get back to implementing some much needed changes in my business.
any update on the Europeans, Arabs, and/or your family? (that should entice others to read your book)
8/16/15 #14: Paul Downs Book ...
Thanks, readers, for the kind words. @the google: I no longer do business with Eurofurn, the Mideast has been fruitless so far, and my family is doing pretty well. Thanks for asking.
If any of you enjoyed the book and feel so inclined, please rate and/or review the book on Amazon or Goodreads. And recommend it to your colleagues.
Thanks again for the support!
8/18/15 #15: Paul Downs Book ...
Ordered the book after hearing about it from this post, came in yesterday and had a hard time putting it down last night!
Very well written, funny how we all deal with the same issues...here I thought it was only me!
Thanks Paul for putting it out there, well done
8/21/15 #16: Paul Downs Book ...
Website: http://thewoodlandmills.com
Very good reading Paul, I almost finished the whole book in one night. Look forward too meeting you in person one day!
Jerry
8/22/15 #17: Paul Downs Book ...
great book paul, I downloaded on sunday night and was finished by Tuesday,
I was cheering as I read as the sales turned around,
hope all is well with the family,
8/22/15 #18: Paul Downs Book ...
ok. I finished this book the other night and totally can relate to his experience but still not achieving my highest potential I feel.
Of the others who have read this book, what are 2-3 other books that you would suggest to read dealing with sale and running a small business like Paul's book.
Thanks for your suggestions.
8/30/15 #19: Paul Downs Book ...
Paul,
I finally had time to finish your book.
It was a great read, and like you said, a good description of Boss Life.
While I was reading this I couldn't help but compare it to your blog in the New York Times, as well as some of your writings here on the Woodweb. At the end of your book sales were finally turning around and you started to consider moving your production from the One-Man-Army approach to more of team/cell format.
I think it was about year ago that you described here how that transition took place. You spoke of how a young man (Kyle?) took interest in eliminating waste from your manufacturing processes. I was hoping that your book would talk about that phase.
Do you have another book in you? If so, I would like to learn more about how your company has evolved in this direction and what impact you think this has had on your business and business outlook. I hope you write some more.
8/31/15 #20: Paul Downs Book ...
HI Tim,
Thanks for the kind words. As for the rest of the story, we're continuing to grow, although not at the pace I want. Kyle is still with me, as are all of the other characters in the book except Emma.
If this book does well, I might get an opportunity to write about what happened next. I'm also going to move my blogging to Forbes - I'll be starting this week. I'll put up a link to the first posts when I publish.
8/31/15 #21: Paul Downs Book ...
Forbes is a much better venue, might give you a different perspective?
9/1/15 #22: Paul Downs Book ...
Sorry, I'll still be me, no matter where I publish.
9/1/15 #23: Paul Downs Book ...
Never implied otherwise, I look forward to reading your posts.
9/1/15 #24: Paul Downs Book ...
OK, first post published. Link below. So far, it doesn't feel different.
9/1/15 #25: Paul Downs Book ...
I MO Steve Forbes has is worth listening to, I have listened to him speak with an Austrian economist named Jim Grant who i have a lot of respect for.
9/1/15 #26: Paul Downs Book ...
Link?
9/1/15 #27: Paul Downs Book ...
Hmmm. It didn't appear. I'll try again.
Paul Downs First Post on Forbes
9/1/15 #28: Paul Downs Book ...
Ok I read the post, you asked a question, I saw the picture of the hot babe stating that she had the 11 secrets of irresistible people.
What were you saying again?
9/2/15 #29: Paul Downs Book ...
Never having published in Forbes before, I was introducing myself. It's hard to believe, but there are large numbers of people who have never heard of me and don't hang on my every word. Those of you who have basked in my magnificence already may not learn anything from this particular post ;-)
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