Boss Life

Surviving My Own Small Business

By: Paul Downs

Narrated by: Jonathan Hogan

Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

When columnist Paul Downs was approached by the New York Times to write for their You're the Boss blog, he had been running his custom furniture business for 24 years strong - or mostly strong. Now he embarks on a book-length essay that intends to show a portrait of a real business, with a real boss, a real set of employees, and the real challenges they face, in hopes of promoting a better understanding of the behaviors of small-business owners.

In 1986, fresh out of college, Paul Downs opened his first and last business: a small company that built custom furniture. With no idea how to run a business or how to build custom furniture, Downs spent a year teaching himself the business, and in 1987 he hired his first employee. That was when things got complicated.

As his business began to grow, he had to learn about management, cash flow, taxes, and so much more. Furthermore, globalization and the arrival of the Internet made a big impact on the economy, causing him to have to reevaluate, restructure, and reinvent. Most important, Downs is keenly aware that every small business, no matter the product it makes or the service it provides, starts with people. He writes with tremendous insight about hiring employees, providing motivation to get the best jobs out of them and incentive to maintain their loyalty and respect, and the difficult decisions he's made to let some of them go.

With honesty and conviction, Downs tells the true story behind building and sustaining a successful company in an ever-evolving economy, often airing his own failures and shortcomings to unveil the difficulties that arise from being a boss and a businessperson. We've heard countless stories from employees about their managers; Boss Life seeks to tell the other side of that story.

©2015 Paul Downs (P)2015 Recorded Books

Very good story, but...

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who would like an insight to how a boss life is. However do not purchase it if your plan is to absorb any techniques etc to implement in your business as it's vague on that. I believe the writer is honest and genuine hence why I finished the audiobook.

Great.

It was insightful and candid. It kept me engaged and it was good to hear someone admit their struggles and shortcomings. I also liked the humanity portrayed, it really helps to pull for someone you feel like deserves to win.
I really enjoyed the book.

Additionally, the narration was really good. I usually only tolerate the reading, but Jonathan Hogan really brought it to life for me.

Great narration, great story.

As a small business owner myself, I share Paul’s anxiety each and every chapter. Narration was excellent and the story was wonderful to hear. Thanks, Paul!

Heartfelt memoir about real world business.

Would you listen to Boss Life again? Why?

Of course I would. Engaging story with a very honest narration. Nothing is left out, sales numbers, home problems, employee issues. If you have ever run a business (19 years for me!), it will bring back memories of how you thought it should be and what it has now become as well as how to think your way out of this. The part of the book that deals with him having 100K in the bank and that would only keep the doors open two weeks is just powerful stuff. It is not a business book per say, but I have learned many lessons for this book. In short.... Loved it and would recommend it to business owners or anyone starting a business.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The owner. His completely honest and open story of business and home life.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Hogan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never had a problem with narrators. I am from central Oklahoma and with my accent, everyone sounds funny.....

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How he keeps his head when everything is falling down around him.

Any additional comments?

Read the book. It is not a "how to" book on business but you learn many important sales and business tips just by following his chain of logic. Loved the book....

Numbers numbers numbers

This book is just so real, very dry, but at the same time this is what every business owner thinks every day. Cash on hand, sales, mistakes, damages, Shipping. This is not some high-level management mumbo-jumbo. This is as real as it gets.

Perfect example of common challenges to small business owners

Good story line with many principles and ideas that are useful for any small business. Well worth the time.

Gripping, suspenseful. Couldn't put it down

A business book that reads like a mystery, this book tells the compelling story of a year in the life of a small American manufacturer and its boss.

wow and thank you. Ilike you am a long time small

like you am a long time small business owner, with 2 decades of running climbing, jumping, and stumbling in the dark. Thx

Thoroughly enjoyable

No lessons or tips. Just how life really is for the typical small business owner. It is nice to know I’m not alone in the struggle. Very enjoyable casual book with some very funny parts. A good book to disuade wanna-be small business owners from trying their hand without a solid plan, a lot of determination, and a burning desire to learn and succeed.

Excellent!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. He talks his trials and tribulations I both business and life. I was surprised how much I related to the story. If you are looking for a fresh new perspective on how to achieve success this is your book.