Shark Tales

How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business

By: Barbara Corcoran, Bruce Littlefield

Narrated by: Barbara Corcoran

Length: 5 hrs

Publisher's summary

In Shark Tales, Barbara shares her hilarious stories about growing up, getting into trouble, failing miserably, and then starting over again. In each chapter, she comes back to one of her mom's unconventional lessons, and how it applies in the real world of business. Whatever your calling, the homespun lessons that work for Barbara will help you use what you've got to create success in your life. Whether you're just starting out, fighting your way up the career ladder, or re-entering the workforce, Shark Tales is an owner's manual to your most valuable asset.

Growing up, author Barbara Corcoran shared one floor in a three-family house in New Jersey with her parents and nine brothers and sisters. She had few luxuries, but she was blessed with a mother who taught her to have self-confidence. Barbara's mom didn't know much about business, but she understood how the world works and how to make the most of what you've got. After failing at 22 other jobs, Barbara borrowed $1,000 from a boyfriend, quit her job as a diner waitress, and started a tiny real-estate office in New York City. Today, with over $2 billion in revenues, The Corcoran Group in New York's premier real-estate company, and Barbara is richer than her wildest dreams.

©2011 Barbara Corcoran (P)2011 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Part memoir, part rough guide to business and 100 percent in-your-face glee." ( Working Mother)

"A practical, funny compendium of advice that should stick with any reader." ( USA Today)

"I love this book." (Judge Judy)

Entertaining and valuable read for entrepreneurs!

I binged this audiobook within a couple of days because it was so entertaining and educational. What a creative way to incorporate your childhood stories with your business learnings, Barbara!

I found the story behind the Corcoran Report especially enlightening and the 88 apartment 1-day sale extremely impressive.

Thanks for sharing your mother's wisdom and your own – you're a true inspiration!

Gobbled it up

Highly recommended.
Barbara’s a real person!
Warm, genuine, positive and lively.
She gives credit to her moms simple but deep lessons in life- love this!

Authentic

Her authenticity and charm comes through in a way that you'd like to invite her over for dinner. A real class act.

Must read for any business owner in any industry

I am full time professional photographer, this book has helped me further my career by learning from the experiences shared in this book. I highly suggest this book as it helped me find a clarity in my goals and in the decisions that I was making in my life/business.

Mom's lessons

I absolutely love Barbara Corcoran's Shark Tales book as she made me, the reader, feel as though I was along side her as she was growing up and growing her businesses. She is wise, personable and wonderfully perceptive. I have four adult daughters as different as north, south, east, and west; but so close I could not tell one of them a secret. They are each beyond extraordinarily successful, healthy and happy. After reading Barbara's book, I asked each of them what lessons they remembered from me that might have contributed to their amazing lives. Each response was a hand-to-heart moment. I read, listened to, Shark Tales while working on a prototype that I intend to license. I expected another small business advice book. Beyond excellent advice, I was left feeling that I had spent an enriching time with a truly great friend and mentor. Thank you Barbara Corcoran!
Judy W

Fell in love with Barbara Corcoran

If I ever meet Barbara Corcoran, I hope she doesn’t consider it any kind of overreach if I give her a giant kiss. After listening to this book, I just want to spend time with her, and I mean regularly. Practical, unpretentious advice, and great storytelling, in her own voice. Thanks Barbara!

I really enjoyed listening to this book!

I loved the fact she narrated the book herself. Barbara took the time out of busy schedule to make this happen.

Looking for tips for success

She has some great ideas that inspired me to start my own real estate business.

Fun bio and business education

A fun rags-to-riches biography that provides a backdrop to sharing the business practices that Barbara followed to achieve her many successes. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Fantastic!

The way this book was written keeps you interested and entertained throughout the entire book! So many details that you can picture every story Barbara shares! Fantastic insight!