If you have a heart to help, see a problem and have a solution, grab this book as a blueprint to put it in action.John Meese walks you from idea to product; from product to pricing; and even helps you understand how to make the most of your budget and financial management (with tons of resources to boot).Entrepreneurs adapt and innovate, so adapt to the idea that John Meese has captured the most innovative business ideas in one place.

John has a knack for sharing key concepts in a creative and interesting way that sticks with you. His writing style is down-to-earth and reads like you're having a conversation over a cup of coffee. The way the book is organized makes it easy to read one lesson per day in a few minutes. Each lesson challenges your assumptions and breathes life into the areas where you feel stuck or discouraged. Lots of simple to understand and apply "aha's" are waiting for you in Always Be Teaching.

Reading Survive to Thrive is like having a chat with a friend who is a successful entrepreneur. Unlike so many entrepreneur books, this one is written in a friendly, approachable style and concentrates on showing the how and why of getting the basics right, because a structure built on a strong foundation can weather many storms (such as we've recently seen, for example).John discusses everything from a working definition of 'entrepreneur' and the most future-proof accounting method, to the types of customers to attract and the 3-5 products types. Everything is explained simply, with real-world examples (and one fictional example just for the book).As a hobbyist looking to get more serious with my business, I found this book to be both immensely helpful and very inspiring.

Well worth the read in this current economic climate. No matter which stage of business you are at. Highly recommend.

John's style of writing is to be clear and concise. He doesn't complicate the subject with jargon talk and buzzwords. And because of this he gets the message over very well. This is not marketing and branding made easy; this is marketing and branding made clear. Follow the steps John has laid out and you are on your way.

Fantastic book, chalk full of practical tips and strategies for growing your business under any conditions—but especially during uncertain times. Worth a read!

This book triggered us to start asking the right questions. It has helped us have a deeper conversation about the possibilities, and a better vision for our future.

John really hits the nail on the head with this book. It is extremely insightful and has a crazy number of really practical tips for thriving in your business. I particularly like Chapter 6 on "Selling Strategy". The tiered pricing and business model he describes is brilliant. The other thing I found really helpful is the metrics-based approach he uses for everything. It is not shooting in the dark but rather creating solid strategies based on the numbers.

The media could not be loaded. John did an incredible job providing what it means to be a successful entrepreneur in this single book. It's one of the best I've ever read. I cannot speak highly enough about this! Do yourself a favor and read this book!!!

John Meese gives a wholesome/community building perspective through this book that inspires the average entrepreneur to reach into pockets of the market that are often overlooked. The emphasis on "real people" interaction with customers is such a crucial yet undervalued aspect in today's "big business" mentality of doing business. It is very easy to get lost in the pure numbers and statistics in today's market, and what this book does is readjust your mind to what is truly effective. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to shake up the norm and excel above the status quo.

The hardest part of starting a business is actually starting. Survive and Thrive helps you avoid the trap of "procrastilearning," (reading and researching from dozens of sources without making real progress) by giving you everything you need to get started in a single, easy-to-digest book. (I also love the illustrations! ;) You can survive and even thrive... and today's a great day to start!

I've heard it said there are three types of perspectives we can adopt as entrepreneurs: the Historian, the Reporter, and the Futurist. All are important: the Historian pulls insight from the past, the Reporter focuses on current events, and the Futurist focus on what is to come.This is a futurist book. I especially like the insight into how there will be no V-shaped recovery after COVID, and that things will not go back to what they were before (we didn't after 9/11, and we won't after COVID). Another key takeaway for me: Choosing the path of entrepreneurship means choosing a path of problems for the rest of your career. I've been quoting that line to my audience since I read it. Highly recommended title.

I would recommend this as the "so you want to start a business" book to anyone in the new, post-covid economy.

John simplifies business by eliminating unnecessary variables and focusing on the most critical elements. I wish I had this book 20+ years ago when I started, as it would have saved me 1,000s of hours and helped me to impact more people and make more money in less time and with less effort.

Small business owners have way more questions than answers, particularly in the beginning. John's keen insight and experience provides answers to virtually every significant question posed by exploring, early stage and experienced owners alike. Trust me, place this book in the top of your reading list and don't dally.

I've been kicking around the idea of starting my own business, but having been in the corporate world for the last 20 years and always working for someone else I had no idea where to start. Then I was introduced to Survive and Thrive by John Meese. It not only quickly frames up the "how" but also the why behind small business! It's not just about making money for the sake of money. It's also about meeting your clients (once you identify who they are) where they are and solving a problem they have, all while living a life of empathy toward your clients problems. Will definitely be recommending this book to others looking to take the leap of small business ownership!

This book was an absolutely incredible read that is already affecting how I run my business. John distills broad ideas into easily understandable and actionable concepts, and he does this without talking down to reader. It's funny, informative, and—most importantly—implementable in these odd economic times.This book is a must ready for any entrepreneur or business-owner! Five Stars.

From beginning to end, I underlined, starred and dog-eared this book! It is so full of practical, applicable advice. Every chapter takes you closer to a fully functioning business! Just the chapter on "Prioritize Profit First" will completely change how I do business. Thank you, thank you for writing this book that indeed helps us " build a profitable business in any economy"!!

John does a phenomenal job of offering practical and actionable guidance that is not only valuable to anyone in any phase of building a business, but especially to those who are looking for that extra 'nudge' to launch their business (especially in THIS economy), or simply put forth the extra effort to push their business to the next level. I found John's advice on structuring business finances and dealing with financial transactions with clients (striving to be a "cash positive" business as much and as often as possible) particularly convicting. And while I've been implementing SOME of John's business practices SOME of the time, Survive and Thrive gave a swift reminder of how much better I could/should be doing. John Meese has easily earned his place next to the other great authors I've read, such as Simon Sinek, Donald Miller, Seth Godin, and other predominant authors writing about business strategy.

I first thought this book would be about just economics of building a business, but wow was I wrong!John shares incredibly insightful entrepreneurial frameworks, along with a healthy dose of vision, mission and heart which all entrepreneurs need to be successful.John's approach and obvious caring for others shines through and makes this book an easy and insightful read, as well as a blueprint for deeper insight and implementation that every entrepreneur needs.So please, don't think about it - just click now and get this book!Stephanie Frank4x Int'l Best Selling AuthorThe Accidental Millionaire

I appreciated that this book contained a comprehensive set of business advice in an accessible format. While I had heard most of the teachings before in other places, having it all in a single place helped me see how the pieces connect. I still came away with helpful advice, such as the best practice of budgeting to spend what I already have in the bank rather than on the sales I hope to generate. I also appreciated the MTO (Minimum, Target, Outrageous) framework for thinking about goals. Overall, I would recommend this book for people looking for a one-stop shop for how to create and sustain a business.

This book by John Meese is a great amalgamation of some of the best business processes I've read in quite a while. John takes the best recommendations from many sources (podcasts, books, and training courses) and puts them together in an easy-to read format with humor and lightness. He provides endnotes for all his references. If you read this book and want to dig deeper into any of the subjects, the other books are referenced and quoted. This book is a clear and succinct overview of how to build a profitable business in any economy (including this one!)I've already recommended it to one of my personal clients and expect to recommend it, alongside The E-myth Revisited, for those who aspire to create and build a profitable business.

In his book, Survive and Thrive, John Meese captures the essence of what should motivate entrepreneurs. He clearly defines an entrepreneur as one who solves problems for a profit, but emphasizes that the motivating factor behind solving problems is in order to help and to serve people. One of his mantras that is repeated throughout his book is that an entrepreneur creates real solutions to real problems to help real people. A full chapter is given and developed about each of his nine principles in developing a successful business model. Yes, of course an entrepreneur will make a profit, but the principles presented in this book will help an entrepreneur make the world a better place. I loved the book and learned a great deal about entrepreneurship. I recommend this book to not only entrepreneurs, but also to leaders, authors, and artists. It is also a great book for individuals and families to learn how to set reasonable personal goals and develop a well-balanced financial plan and personal budget.

Survive and Thrive isn't your typical business book that uses dull language and mind-numbing stats to get its point across. John speaks as if he's in the room with you, giving you pointers on how to better pivot your business strategies. He explains the impacts of Covid, the Attention Economy, The Age of Insight, and The Great Reset on entrepreneurship. As he quotes venture capitalist Mary Meeker, "We are awash in data, but lacking connectivity and insight." Businesses and consumers have so much data at their disposal but need guidance on how to filter out noise to find what's relevant. John uses his training as an economist to be that filter. I broke out my highlighter when I started reading it, but realized that it was easier to turn down page corners instead of marking up entire pages. Buy the book, and as they say on NCIS New Orleans, "Go learn things."

Loved the book! It's a quick and easy read, great for busy business owners and entrepreneurs. It contains fascinating data, but not so much that you're bored or bogged down w/ it. The examples and story-telling aspects of the book were inspiring. The author's insights on what the pandemic means for the economy, particularly business owners and entrepreneurs are clear and powerful. The best part is the author's tips and practical advice on what it will mean to be an entrepreneur in the days ahead—truly practical tips to help owners not just survive, but thrive, in whatever is ahead for the global economy. This book is GOLD for new-ish leaders, but even as a seasoned leader and entrepreneur myself, I found myself re-evaluating all aspects of my companies and making practical changes to our marketing, sales, and finance areas based on John's advice. Highly recommend!He also has a podcast and follow-up assessment you can take for your business that are worth checking out.

Love John's insight but delivered like we're at coffee shop together. The "Charge up Front" chapter was my personal fave...

John Meese provides us with a step-by-step guide on building your own business. It is perfect for this economy when so many of us are now working from home. He guides us on how to find and reach an audience, make sales, retain customers and make adjustments as the marketplace changes. He speaks from his own experience and successes. This book is a life-saver and highly recommended.

This is Brian Lee Bauer from Mimic Music and I'm reviewing from my wife's Amazon account.I was introduced to John Meese by way of Platform University during the COVID onset. I had just completed board certification to become a music therapist. My 5 year plan was to move my entire music school online. Turns out, it only took me only 5 weeks, but I was still desperate for some basic business fundamentals. As a teacher, I knew that this was a unique moment and I had much to learn, and there is SO MUCH NOISE (and noise makers) out there.Over a year later, I'm glad that I read John's book. I found page 127 to be most helpful. As a musician, I like to think in terms of ratios and intervals, so this "Set Allocation Percentages" was really helpful.I also enjoyed page 110, "Growth is not all its cracked up to be." Then, "Growth by itself, is neutral." Yes. I needed to see that. My business has doubled in size for 8 years straight, but that doesn't mean I have much innovation and introspection to do. Explosive growth often seems to disguise major problems and incorrect assumptions. Look around.The podcasts are a great compliment to the book.I wish that Chapter 5 "Choose Your Path" was a bit more lengthy and detailed. Those concepts could be a book by itself, so let me know when I can preorder it, please?I also enjoy John's humor, and I almost chose to put this review in a music video format. Maybe after rereading.Thanks, John

This book gave a fresh perspective and holistic view of the opportunities available with the correct perspective and desire. The author's motivation as an encourager brought hope to a post COVID work place.

I liked John's ability to influence business decisions that are relevant to today's economy.

John walks through a practical approach to building a thriving business in the "new normal" after the Great Reset. As an acquaintance of John's (full disclosure), I've seen him put this into practice - he's not writing from a place of theory alone. For anyone looking to build or rebuild their business in the ongoing aftermath of the COVID-19 restrictions, here's your road map.

If you are a business owner, especiallyof a new business, I absolutelyrecommend this book. For mepersonally, I feel like this is a life-changing book and I'm so thankful thata friend gave me a copy. So many of theperspectives and ideas that Meesetalks about in the book struck a chordwith me on running this business ofmine. Shannon Pest Control has been inbusiness 6 years this month and I'mdoing my best to implement theinformation conveyed through this bookto run a tighter ship! I'm very thankfulfor John Meese.

In John's book, Survive and Thrive, you'll discover a clear success path that will generate business cash flow and growth. In any economy, John challenges us to embrace an important truth, "there is no shortage of opportunity today, but there is a shortage of execution." John simplifies what many have overcomplicated. He explains the five growth models and reveals the power of having cohesive products for long-term success. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to build a thriving and profitable business.

Try this book! It was very helpful in summarizing the beginning stages of a platform business, and it logically leads into the later financial steps that I need to take but hadn't thought or known about. I liked it so much that I bought another copy for a friend.

I am a new business owner and thought Survive and Thrive was a fantastic read!! I learned so much each chapter from John about how to grow a successful business from the importance of relationships, to taking risks, and trusting the process!! His honest and focused opinion is very helpful for business owners of all kinds!!

John has practical business steps that you can implement right away. I particularly like the chapter on making financial decisions. He has a fantastic perspective and you really can see that he is sharing real-world experience instead of theory. I recommend this book to anyone looking to start or scale a business that they be excited about.

I googled myself and found the author of the same name. I'm a CPA and majored in economics at Tennessee. I found that John laid out some technical concepts that I already knew (and some I didn't), but I it was more about the way he presented the information. He didn't try to dazzle with a bunch of jargon, but instead explained things you can take action on. As I continue my quest to transition from working at a big company to doing more direct accounting work I'll definitely reread John's book. Anyway, I was lucky that my vanity of googling my name lead to an inspiring read. :)

It seems like the scales during COVID either tilted way up or way down for people. John Meese helps the group of us that felt that sinking feeling, come up with a plan that not only keeps our business heads above water during trying times, but to actually thrive during those times. A message of hope for those of us who aren't Jeff Bezos!

I was hooked right from the intro. This approach to entrepreneurship makes a lot of sense and resonated with me immediately as an approach that works in the real world, written by someone who's "been there, done that".There's a lot to be said for learning to think like an entrepreneur, building from scratch, and learning lessons along the way. But the trial and error method alone can be long, costly, and painful. So I really appreciated John's conversational tone, without meaningless filler, taking the reader straight to the key elements you need to have in place that actually move the needle.This book feels like the privilege of meeting with a start-up mentor over coffee, as he encourages you, helps you maintain perspective, shows you what really matters, and what to focus on next.

John does an incredible job taking us step by step to starting or growing a successful business. I love how he breaks each step into specific actions that can be applied to any industry by anyone brand new to business or even experienced entrepreneurs. The lessons are timeless and he shares with the heart of a teacher. Unlike other books that are filled with fluff, the examples in this book expertly drive his points home. Definitely recommend for anyone who's trying to figure out the business landscape going forward.

From time to time, I find helpful to study (yet again) timeless principles of business. This book is chock full of ones like these: "No matter, the entrepreneur's job is the same: Solve problems for a profit." And "To build a thriving business, focus on solving problems for real people who are aware of the problem in question and engaged in actively seeking a solution to that problem." If you dream of being your own boss, John Meese has written a straightforward how-to guide for you. If you need a book for aspiring entrepreneurs in your life, recommend this one. And if you're already in the throes of growing a business and feeling stuck, these pages will help you return to the fundamentals.

While other authors dive deep into nuances of business, John does a great job of simplifying business. What are the basics? What are the 3 things to focus on. He helps demystify a business, gives you practical guidelines and gets you back to work.

Survive and Thrive is a great book for entrepreneurs. It is easy to read and to the point. Chapter 6 - The Selling Story is the chapter that was most applicable to me. In this chapter, John creates a framework for creating a gateway, flagship, and continuity product. It's important these products fit together into a cohesive "selling story". It's a highly recommended read for someone starting their own business.

If you have a heart to help, see a problem and have a solution, grab this book as a blueprint to put it in action.John Meese walks you from idea to product; from product to pricing; and even helps you understand how to make the most of your budget and financial management (with tons of resources to boot).Entrepreneurs adapt and innovate, so adapt to the idea that John Meese has captured the most innovative business ideas in one place.

John has a knack for sharing key concepts in a creative and interesting way that sticks with you. His writing style is down-to-earth and reads like you're having a conversation over a cup of coffee. The way the book is organized makes it easy to read one lesson per day in a few minutes. Each lesson challenges your assumptions and breathes life into the areas where you feel stuck or discouraged. Lots of simple to understand and apply "aha's" are waiting for you in Always Be Teaching.

Reading Survive to Thrive is like having a chat with a friend who is a successful entrepreneur. Unlike so many entrepreneur books, this one is written in a friendly, approachable style and concentrates on showing the how and why of getting the basics right, because a structure built on a strong foundation can weather many storms (such as we've recently seen, for example).John discusses everything from a working definition of 'entrepreneur' and the most future-proof accounting method, to the types of customers to attract and the 3-5 products types. Everything is explained simply, with real-world examples (and one fictional example just for the book).As a hobbyist looking to get more serious with my business, I found this book to be both immensely helpful and very inspiring.

Well worth the read in this current economic climate. No matter which stage of business you are at. Highly recommend.

John's style of writing is to be clear and concise. He doesn't complicate the subject with jargon talk and buzzwords. And because of this he gets the message over very well. This is not marketing and branding made easy; this is marketing and branding made clear. Follow the steps John has laid out and you are on your way.

Fantastic book, chalk full of practical tips and strategies for growing your business under any conditions—but especially during uncertain times. Worth a read!

This book triggered us to start asking the right questions. It has helped us have a deeper conversation about the possibilities, and a better vision for our future.

John really hits the nail on the head with this book. It is extremely insightful and has a crazy number of really practical tips for thriving in your business. I particularly like Chapter 6 on "Selling Strategy". The tiered pricing and business model he describes is brilliant. The other thing I found really helpful is the metrics-based approach he uses for everything. It is not shooting in the dark but rather creating solid strategies based on the numbers.

The media could not be loaded. John did an incredible job providing what it means to be a successful entrepreneur in this single book. It's one of the best I've ever read. I cannot speak highly enough about this! Do yourself a favor and read this book!!!

John Meese gives a wholesome/community building perspective through this book that inspires the average entrepreneur to reach into pockets of the market that are often overlooked. The emphasis on "real people" interaction with customers is such a crucial yet undervalued aspect in today's "big business" mentality of doing business. It is very easy to get lost in the pure numbers and statistics in today's market, and what this book does is readjust your mind to what is truly effective. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to shake up the norm and excel above the status quo.

The hardest part of starting a business is actually starting. Survive and Thrive helps you avoid the trap of "procrastilearning," (reading and researching from dozens of sources without making real progress) by giving you everything you need to get started in a single, easy-to-digest book. (I also love the illustrations! ;) You can survive and even thrive... and today's a great day to start!

I've heard it said there are three types of perspectives we can adopt as entrepreneurs: the Historian, the Reporter, and the Futurist. All are important: the Historian pulls insight from the past, the Reporter focuses on current events, and the Futurist focus on what is to come.This is a futurist book. I especially like the insight into how there will be no V-shaped recovery after COVID, and that things will not go back to what they were before (we didn't after 9/11, and we won't after COVID). Another key takeaway for me: Choosing the path of entrepreneurship means choosing a path of problems for the rest of your career. I've been quoting that line to my audience since I read it. Highly recommended title.

I would recommend this as the "so you want to start a business" book to anyone in the new, post-covid economy.

John simplifies business by eliminating unnecessary variables and focusing on the most critical elements. I wish I had this book 20+ years ago when I started, as it would have saved me 1,000s of hours and helped me to impact more people and make more money in less time and with less effort.

Small business owners have way more questions than answers, particularly in the beginning. John's keen insight and experience provides answers to virtually every significant question posed by exploring, early stage and experienced owners alike. Trust me, place this book in the top of your reading list and don't dally.

I've been kicking around the idea of starting my own business, but having been in the corporate world for the last 20 years and always working for someone else I had no idea where to start. Then I was introduced to Survive and Thrive by John Meese. It not only quickly frames up the "how" but also the why behind small business! It's not just about making money for the sake of money. It's also about meeting your clients (once you identify who they are) where they are and solving a problem they have, all while living a life of empathy toward your clients problems. Will definitely be recommending this book to others looking to take the leap of small business ownership!

This book was an absolutely incredible read that is already affecting how I run my business. John distills broad ideas into easily understandable and actionable concepts, and he does this without talking down to reader. It's funny, informative, and—most importantly—implementable in these odd economic times.This book is a must ready for any entrepreneur or business-owner! Five Stars.

From beginning to end, I underlined, starred and dog-eared this book! It is so full of practical, applicable advice. Every chapter takes you closer to a fully functioning business! Just the chapter on "Prioritize Profit First" will completely change how I do business. Thank you, thank you for writing this book that indeed helps us " build a profitable business in any economy"!!

John does a phenomenal job of offering practical and actionable guidance that is not only valuable to anyone in any phase of building a business, but especially to those who are looking for that extra 'nudge' to launch their business (especially in THIS economy), or simply put forth the extra effort to push their business to the next level. I found John's advice on structuring business finances and dealing with financial transactions with clients (striving to be a "cash positive" business as much and as often as possible) particularly convicting. And while I've been implementing SOME of John's business practices SOME of the time, Survive and Thrive gave a swift reminder of how much better I could/should be doing. John Meese has easily earned his place next to the other great authors I've read, such as Simon Sinek, Donald Miller, Seth Godin, and other predominant authors writing about business strategy.

I first thought this book would be about just economics of building a business, but wow was I wrong!John shares incredibly insightful entrepreneurial frameworks, along with a healthy dose of vision, mission and heart which all entrepreneurs need to be successful.John's approach and obvious caring for others shines through and makes this book an easy and insightful read, as well as a blueprint for deeper insight and implementation that every entrepreneur needs.So please, don't think about it - just click now and get this book!Stephanie Frank4x Int'l Best Selling AuthorThe Accidental Millionaire

I appreciated that this book contained a comprehensive set of business advice in an accessible format. While I had heard most of the teachings before in other places, having it all in a single place helped me see how the pieces connect. I still came away with helpful advice, such as the best practice of budgeting to spend what I already have in the bank rather than on the sales I hope to generate. I also appreciated the MTO (Minimum, Target, Outrageous) framework for thinking about goals. Overall, I would recommend this book for people looking for a one-stop shop for how to create and sustain a business.

This book by John Meese is a great amalgamation of some of the best business processes I've read in quite a while. John takes the best recommendations from many sources (podcasts, books, and training courses) and puts them together in an easy-to read format with humor and lightness. He provides endnotes for all his references. If you read this book and want to dig deeper into any of the subjects, the other books are referenced and quoted. This book is a clear and succinct overview of how to build a profitable business in any economy (including this one!)I've already recommended it to one of my personal clients and expect to recommend it, alongside The E-myth Revisited, for those who aspire to create and build a profitable business.

In his book, Survive and Thrive, John Meese captures the essence of what should motivate entrepreneurs. He clearly defines an entrepreneur as one who solves problems for a profit, but emphasizes that the motivating factor behind solving problems is in order to help and to serve people. One of his mantras that is repeated throughout his book is that an entrepreneur creates real solutions to real problems to help real people. A full chapter is given and developed about each of his nine principles in developing a successful business model. Yes, of course an entrepreneur will make a profit, but the principles presented in this book will help an entrepreneur make the world a better place. I loved the book and learned a great deal about entrepreneurship. I recommend this book to not only entrepreneurs, but also to leaders, authors, and artists. It is also a great book for individuals and families to learn how to set reasonable personal goals and develop a well-balanced financial plan and personal budget.

Survive and Thrive isn't your typical business book that uses dull language and mind-numbing stats to get its point across. John speaks as if he's in the room with you, giving you pointers on how to better pivot your business strategies. He explains the impacts of Covid, the Attention Economy, The Age of Insight, and The Great Reset on entrepreneurship. As he quotes venture capitalist Mary Meeker, "We are awash in data, but lacking connectivity and insight." Businesses and consumers have so much data at their disposal but need guidance on how to filter out noise to find what's relevant. John uses his training as an economist to be that filter. I broke out my highlighter when I started reading it, but realized that it was easier to turn down page corners instead of marking up entire pages. Buy the book, and as they say on NCIS New Orleans, "Go learn things."

Loved the book! It's a quick and easy read, great for busy business owners and entrepreneurs. It contains fascinating data, but not so much that you're bored or bogged down w/ it. The examples and story-telling aspects of the book were inspiring. The author's insights on what the pandemic means for the economy, particularly business owners and entrepreneurs are clear and powerful. The best part is the author's tips and practical advice on what it will mean to be an entrepreneur in the days ahead—truly practical tips to help owners not just survive, but thrive, in whatever is ahead for the global economy. This book is GOLD for new-ish leaders, but even as a seasoned leader and entrepreneur myself, I found myself re-evaluating all aspects of my companies and making practical changes to our marketing, sales, and finance areas based on John's advice. Highly recommend!He also has a podcast and follow-up assessment you can take for your business that are worth checking out.

Love John's insight but delivered like we're at coffee shop together. The "Charge up Front" chapter was my personal fave...

John Meese provides us with a step-by-step guide on building your own business. It is perfect for this economy when so many of us are now working from home. He guides us on how to find and reach an audience, make sales, retain customers and make adjustments as the marketplace changes. He speaks from his own experience and successes. This book is a life-saver and highly recommended.

This is Brian Lee Bauer from Mimic Music and I'm reviewing from my wife's Amazon account.I was introduced to John Meese by way of Platform University during the COVID onset. I had just completed board certification to become a music therapist. My 5 year plan was to move my entire music school online. Turns out, it only took me only 5 weeks, but I was still desperate for some basic business fundamentals. As a teacher, I knew that this was a unique moment and I had much to learn, and there is SO MUCH NOISE (and noise makers) out there.Over a year later, I'm glad that I read John's book. I found page 127 to be most helpful. As a musician, I like to think in terms of ratios and intervals, so this "Set Allocation Percentages" was really helpful.I also enjoyed page 110, "Growth is not all its cracked up to be." Then, "Growth by itself, is neutral." Yes. I needed to see that. My business has doubled in size for 8 years straight, but that doesn't mean I have much innovation and introspection to do. Explosive growth often seems to disguise major problems and incorrect assumptions. Look around.The podcasts are a great compliment to the book.I wish that Chapter 5 "Choose Your Path" was a bit more lengthy and detailed. Those concepts could be a book by itself, so let me know when I can preorder it, please?I also enjoy John's humor, and I almost chose to put this review in a music video format. Maybe after rereading.Thanks, John

This book gave a fresh perspective and holistic view of the opportunities available with the correct perspective and desire. The author's motivation as an encourager brought hope to a post COVID work place.

I liked John's ability to influence business decisions that are relevant to today's economy.

John walks through a practical approach to building a thriving business in the "new normal" after the Great Reset. As an acquaintance of John's (full disclosure), I've seen him put this into practice - he's not writing from a place of theory alone. For anyone looking to build or rebuild their business in the ongoing aftermath of the COVID-19 restrictions, here's your road map.

If you are a business owner, especiallyof a new business, I absolutelyrecommend this book. For mepersonally, I feel like this is a life-changing book and I'm so thankful thata friend gave me a copy. So many of theperspectives and ideas that Meesetalks about in the book struck a chordwith me on running this business ofmine. Shannon Pest Control has been inbusiness 6 years this month and I'mdoing my best to implement theinformation conveyed through this bookto run a tighter ship! I'm very thankfulfor John Meese.

In John's book, Survive and Thrive, you'll discover a clear success path that will generate business cash flow and growth. In any economy, John challenges us to embrace an important truth, "there is no shortage of opportunity today, but there is a shortage of execution." John simplifies what many have overcomplicated. He explains the five growth models and reveals the power of having cohesive products for long-term success. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to build a thriving and profitable business.

Try this book! It was very helpful in summarizing the beginning stages of a platform business, and it logically leads into the later financial steps that I need to take but hadn't thought or known about. I liked it so much that I bought another copy for a friend.

I am a new business owner and thought Survive and Thrive was a fantastic read!! I learned so much each chapter from John about how to grow a successful business from the importance of relationships, to taking risks, and trusting the process!! His honest and focused opinion is very helpful for business owners of all kinds!!

John has practical business steps that you can implement right away. I particularly like the chapter on making financial decisions. He has a fantastic perspective and you really can see that he is sharing real-world experience instead of theory. I recommend this book to anyone looking to start or scale a business that they be excited about.

I googled myself and found the author of the same name. I'm a CPA and majored in economics at Tennessee. I found that John laid out some technical concepts that I already knew (and some I didn't), but I it was more about the way he presented the information. He didn't try to dazzle with a bunch of jargon, but instead explained things you can take action on. As I continue my quest to transition from working at a big company to doing more direct accounting work I'll definitely reread John's book. Anyway, I was lucky that my vanity of googling my name lead to an inspiring read. :)

It seems like the scales during COVID either tilted way up or way down for people. John Meese helps the group of us that felt that sinking feeling, come up with a plan that not only keeps our business heads above water during trying times, but to actually thrive during those times. A message of hope for those of us who aren't Jeff Bezos!

I was hooked right from the intro. This approach to entrepreneurship makes a lot of sense and resonated with me immediately as an approach that works in the real world, written by someone who's "been there, done that".There's a lot to be said for learning to think like an entrepreneur, building from scratch, and learning lessons along the way. But the trial and error method alone can be long, costly, and painful. So I really appreciated John's conversational tone, without meaningless filler, taking the reader straight to the key elements you need to have in place that actually move the needle.This book feels like the privilege of meeting with a start-up mentor over coffee, as he encourages you, helps you maintain perspective, shows you what really matters, and what to focus on next.

John does an incredible job taking us step by step to starting or growing a successful business. I love how he breaks each step into specific actions that can be applied to any industry by anyone brand new to business or even experienced entrepreneurs. The lessons are timeless and he shares with the heart of a teacher. Unlike other books that are filled with fluff, the examples in this book expertly drive his points home. Definitely recommend for anyone who's trying to figure out the business landscape going forward.

From time to time, I find helpful to study (yet again) timeless principles of business. This book is chock full of ones like these: "No matter, the entrepreneur's job is the same: Solve problems for a profit." And "To build a thriving business, focus on solving problems for real people who are aware of the problem in question and engaged in actively seeking a solution to that problem." If you dream of being your own boss, John Meese has written a straightforward how-to guide for you. If you need a book for aspiring entrepreneurs in your life, recommend this one. And if you're already in the throes of growing a business and feeling stuck, these pages will help you return to the fundamentals.

While other authors dive deep into nuances of business, John does a great job of simplifying business. What are the basics? What are the 3 things to focus on. He helps demystify a business, gives you practical guidelines and gets you back to work.

Survive and Thrive is a great book for entrepreneurs. It is easy to read and to the point. Chapter 6 - The Selling Story is the chapter that was most applicable to me. In this chapter, John creates a framework for creating a gateway, flagship, and continuity product. It's important these products fit together into a cohesive "selling story". It's a highly recommended read for someone starting their own business.