Big Lucky

Serial Entrepreneur Jim Markham's Secret Formula for Success

By: Jim Markham

Narrated by: Jim Markham, Lauren Wild

With five successful companies to his name and over $1.2 billion in combined retail sales, serial entrepreneur Jim Markham has made an indelible mark on the hair care industry. Across six decades, he has built a legacy of innovation that has forever changed how people care for their hair.

But the path to success wasn't foregone, obvious, or easy. In his early years, nobody would have wagered on his success. Armed only with sheer determination and an unflappable confidence that he was meant for something bigger, Jim fought to make it from the bottom to the top - more than once.

Born into poverty in the barren oil towns of New Mexico to an absent father and an abusive, alcoholic mother, divorced twice with two children by age 20, Jim started cutting hair at age 15 to make ends meet. Within a few short years, his talent and drive propelled him to become the protege of the world's top celebrity stylist.

When the Manson murders gruesomely robbed him of his mentor and friend, superstar stylist Jay Sebring, Markham was thrust headlong into the high-flying celebrity culture of 1970s Hollywood. Taking on the mantle of the country's highest paid celebrity stylist, he counted luminaries such as Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen, and Paul Newman not only as clients, but dear friends.

At the peak of his early success, Markham lost it all to unscrupulous business partners and a catastrophic addiction to cocaine, which nearly cost him his life. Homeless and penniless, his belief in himself and vision fueled him as he built it all back, 100 times over. Jim went on to build more successful companies and pioneer the sulfate-free movement. In 2007, his company PureOlogy sold to L'Oreal for a record $280 million.

Today, Markham continues his legacy of innovation, bringing to market groundbreaking products which are silicone-free, 100 percent vegan, certified hypoallergenic, and packaged in 100 percent recycled plastics.

Jim's close friend and client Paul Newman once told him there are three kinds of luck in this world: big luck, little luck, and no luck. Reflecting on his meteoric rise, Newman told Markham he was "big lucky". But there’s more to it than just luck. With Jim Markham's 22 key ingredients to long-lasting success, self-belief, and a positive view of the world, you can be "big lucky", too!

©2020 Jim Markham Enterprises Inc (P)2020 Jim Markham Enterprises Inc

Loved it!

This was a cross between inspiration, motivation and beautiful story telling. I loved it! Really loved it!

I’M SPEECHLESS (A MUST READ)

As I delved into this book, I had only a fraction of an idea of the read I was getting into. I knew it included entrepreneurship and laws for success, but I had no idea I would get to fully embark on the transparent life of an industry icon. I normally enjoy reading self development, investment, and business style books. This was right up my alley and was suggested by a dear friend, so I downloaded it immediately. A couple days had passed and as I was on the way home from work (a 2 hour drive) I decided to press play. The book had just started, and within 5 minutes, I began to shed a tear. I thought I must have been extra sensitive that day so I grabbed a tissue and quickly wiped my face. And as the author continued, I was compelled by the tone in his voice. I could tell that he was full of wisdom, determination, and hope for anyone reading that book. If I were to write a full review, it would be novel length. On that note, if your considering reading this book, whichever field you are in, you will get an equivalent of a birds eye view to the life of celebrity hairdresser , hair care, and industry expert who didn’t let the odds of his upbringing or current situation hold him back from pursuing the life he had always dreamt of. Mark my words, this book will soon top the charts of the personal development + success categories.

A fabulous story by an incredible man!

In all honesty, I have met Jim and Cheryl Markman by doing work in their home recently. They were the kindest couple to do work for...which lead me to listen to his book. They never asked me to listen to it, or did they even mention the book..I saw the book listed on Cheryl's email signature. Once I experienced their kindness, I thought that his story was worth the listen...well....

If you do nothing else, listen to his story. It is honest, uplifting and motivating to hear his path to success. He had more failures than anyone can endure but he did and his perseverance paid off for all of us. I have been using his shampoo Pureology for years and now, after hearing why he invented this formula, I will never use another shampoo. But, this book is way more than his inventing a shampoo formula, it is about how he looked fear in the face and marched forward.

Once my husband and I finished listening to his story, I couldn't wait to see him again just to give them both a hug and to say "thank you" for writing this book. I too had a very hard childhood filled with alcoholic parents and hearing his story and how he healed his heart and made peace with his family, made me so happy. This book, and his story, touched my heart and I will always remember how he overcame adversity and won. Thank you, Jim and Cheryl, for sharing this story for all of us to be inspired by.

Truly Inspirational!

If you are looking for a book to take you through all the emotions, this ones for you! Inspiring and motivating, a must read for anyone wanting to live their best life!

We are all made to win!

So grateful for Jim sharing his story!

It’s such an moving read, it goes to show that determination, grit, courage, and loving what you do can change peoples lives !

Great Book!

Very inspirational for me not only because Jim Markham overcame a tremendous amount, but Jim Markham is my dad.

Lots of things that my dad endured during his childhood gave me an understanding of why he is the guy he is today. The thing that all of us must learn from the book is to never give up! The odds are in our favor so never give up!!

This book cleared up a lot of things for me personally and I am very proud of my dad for putting the book out!

Loved this book

An honest account of a bigger than life true story - Thank you Jim for sharing your story with all of us. Proof that all of us are made to succeed - we all have the opportunity to achieve our dreams if we are willing to do the work each day.

How to gain victory over life's Hard Knocks

A most interesting portrayal of the life and times of Jim Markham, a man of talent, discipline, and unending perseverance. All despite, or perhaps because of, a very tough, difficult childhood. Jim's lessons learned, presented here as "Take Aways," provide most useful guidelines for any young person striving to get ahead. The narrator was quite good, natural and as comfortable to listen to as a favored member of one's own family!

Pure Inspiration, Loved!

It’s all about the why for me. This book gives you the why you want to choose a path like Jim’s. Even skeptics will become believers after diving into Jim’s journey through life. It shows you that ones choices and true grit can turn the worst times into the best times and you’ll never choose to change your life’s story. The blessing is in the journey and how we react to our circumstances. Perfect time for a read like this book.

Inspiration surprise

Wow! This book is amazing. There is a lesson in every chapter. Jim has overcome some many things in life. I’m inspired to continue to work hard, stay focused and achieve my goals.