The Big Idea: How to Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True, From the Aha Moment to Your First Million

by Donny Deutsch

It's the moment when you say, "There's gotta be a better way." It's the moment when you ask, "How can I solve this problem"Donny Deutsch's hit CNBC show The Big Idea has put the spotlight on that ordinary moment and the people who have the courage and stamina to make their dreams come true.

Some people think a big idea is like a lightning bolt striking out of the blue that slams you in the head. But it's hardly ever like that. The big idea isn't an act of God. It's an act of daily life. Simply put, the idea that will make millions starts with an observation.

A carpenter gets tired of almost losing a finger every time he slices a bagel. Bam! The Bagel Guillotine. A mother is frustrated that her pantry is full of stale food because the packages don't close. Bam! Quick Seals. Howard Schultz notices on a trip to Italy that there are coffee bars on almost every corner. Bam! Starbucks. None of them had a barrel of cash. None of them had a ton of experience. They had a big idea and the will to follow through.

In The Big Idea, Deutsch draws not only on his own tremendous focus and expertise, but on that of dozens of the successful entrepreneurs whom he has interviewed, to help you create your own enterprise. From the "Gut Check Moment" to "Mom Power," The Big Idea takes aspiring entrepreneurs along every step of the way. The Big Idea is your road map to the American dream.

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Donald Jay "Donny" Deutsch is an advertising executive and host of the CNBC talk show The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.

Deutsch is the chairman of Deutsch, Inc., a $2.7 billion marketing company founded by his father that is the 10th-largest U.S. advertising agency. In 2000, Donny sold his agency to the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG) for a reported $265 million.

He is also the managing partner of Deutsch Open City, an independent production company.

In 2005, Harper Collins published Deutsch's business motivation book, Often Wrong, Never in Doubt, written with co-author Peter Knobler.

Currently, Deutsch is the host of the CNBC's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. He has also made appearances on the NBC show The Apprentice, starring Donald Trump.

Deutsch is a 1969 graduate of P.S. 188 (Queens, NY, USA), Martin Van Buren High School.

He is a known resident of Trump Park Avenue, as reported in the December 2006 issue of Haute Living. He and his wife, Stacy Josloff, whom he married in 2000, are presently separated.

He was also one of the contestants on the classic game show Match Game, appearing in an episode that originally aired on January 2, 1979.

He is a potential Democratic candididate of the 2009 New York City mayoral election.

Deutsch graduated from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok, but he tells people to max out their credit cards and take out personal loans and all that stuff, which is financially irresponsible. Then he says that if you don't do those things, then you aren't committed. I can be committed and produce something without debt, thanks.

[Raquel Curvacheiro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Li este livro de um fôlego… ou, se quiser ser mais precisa, em três dias e meio. Achei que era um “livro inteligente”. Não pelo seu conteúdo, ou a temática que aborda, mas pela maneira como está escrito. Este é um perfeito exemplo de magistralidade comercial. O autor consegue convencer-nos a lutar por algo de que nem sequer temos a certeza de querer! Eu, que nunca ambicionei a megalómana meta do empreendedorismo milionário, dei comigo a pensar: “Ok, agora SÓ PRECISO DE UMA IDEIA”!
Infelizmente, aqui acabam os pontos positivos desta obra (na minha, muito, humilde opinião). Ao folhear as páginas um pensamento recorrente teimava em surgir… “isto é um livro de auto-ajuda… para empresários”. Os princípios dos livros de espiritualidades estão aqui presentes e gritam ao leitor… cada página tenta insuflar-nos a auto-estima através de frases feitas como “não aceite NÃO como resposta”, ou “se algo é possível de ser pensado é possível de ser conquistado”. Este tipo de frase serve sempre como prólogo (ou, por vezes, epílogo) a exemplos de “bravos” anónimos que não se coibiram de sonhar… Mulheres que colocam os separadores de talheres da máquina de lavar loiça na mala e “inventam” uma mala compartimentada que lhes dá milhões a ganhar… Mães que, aos quarenta anos, são corajosas ao ponto de iniciar uma carreira milionária no competitivo mundo do Rock… Homens que se tornaram milionários de um dia para o outro graças às suas t-shirts com o slogan “Life is Good”. Ou seja… Demonstrações palpáveis de que os milhões “andam aí”, só à espera que nós tenhamos uma ideia!
A minha avaliação é simples e simplista: este é um livro escrito para o povo norte-americano! Aqueles que, toda a vida, ouviram falar do “sonho americano” e que, desde crianças, são alimentados na esperança de que esse sonho lhes seja atingível. Na realidade portuguesa, perde-se! Torna-se um conto de fadas dos tempos modernos em que, nem o mais crédulo e esperançoso consegue acreditar!

[Imran Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't worry about the "idea". Find your story, who you are and what change you want to bring into this world. What is your idea of making the world better in any way. All will come from your daily habits. Thus, it's not about finding the right idea, but it's about living up to your core values. It' about who you are and what you do on daily basis. A business idea, plan, and execution come later and that's pretty auto thing. Craft a good story, and share with the world that story, and be passionate about telling that story again and again until everyone believes it because you believe it. People who believe your story are your future customers.

[Cleber Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super inspiring!

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pretty biased when it comes to Donny Deutsch's books; after all, I consider him one of my heroes after I read his first book (Often Wrong, Never in Doubt) and watched his show "The Big Idea" avidly in 2008. He has a certain charm to him that draws a lot of people in.

Anyway, aside from my bias, I think Deutsch's writing style is very easy to follow; he doesn't make the reader feel stupid. In this book, he presents a lot of examples from entrepreneurs he'd met on his show and throughout his life. Of course, starting a business is easier said than done, but after reading this book, I feel more motivated with my business plan and knowing that it doesn't necessarily need to take a ton of money to start a business.

One thing that bothered me about the book (personally) was that Deutsch does have a slant on the whole entrepreneurial dream: he gears the book towards people looking to invent/create tangible products rather than services. That's fine and probably more people want to create products than services, but it would have been nice to see a balance of the two aspects. Personally, I don't believe in creating more products for the world market, but that's just how I feel. Others may feel differently.

Anyway, the book is 200+ pages, but I flew through it within a week. I'd recommend this book for any kind of entrepreneur, no matter what stage in life you are--Deutsch has special chapters for mothers, retired persons, etc. So read this book and be inspired to pursue your dreams.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more of a motivational book then practical, full of things you could apply to your life/business right now kind of thing. Also it applies more to people who are inventing some new product or coming up with a brand new never thought of service. He comes across as really cocky, which he readily admits he is. He also uses some foul language which is completely unnecessary in a book like this.

[Virterpreneur · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Idea is based on the CNBC show that Donny Deutsch hosts each week which spotlights aspiring and successful entrepreneurs. The book is not big on hard facts so if that's what you're looking for this is not where you're going to find it.
On the other hand, if what you need is a shot of self confidence in a fuzzy format, you may enjoy it as a light read.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stays high level and fast paced. The pro's are that it's an easy read and great entry-level book for aspiring entrepreneurs who just want to be inspired by other people's "big ideas." The cons are that it's just not that in-depth; it's a bit too peppy and the focus is in some ways more on how other people's cool ideas took off than on how to get your own to take off.

[Robert DaGasta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Donny's show and was sorry when it got cancelled. I just picked this book up at local library book sale for a $1. Can't beat that price for the amount of positive, inspiring advice contained in its pages. Quick read and loaded with success stories, smart tips and resources to help any aspiring entrepreneur or anyone with a "big idea" get the ball rolling.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. I found it fascinating and learned a lot, (simple things like don't focus on the competition-only on yourself), even though I am not starting a business. I also enjoyed the stories of the various businesses, and Deutsch's admonition that "there is nothing wrong with kids having a sense of entitlement"-they should. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting, short read. It kindof targets the "one idea to get rich fast" mentality, which has obviously worked for many people. It starts to get the ideas flowing as you hear about the people that have been on the author's show The Big Idea. Because it's so short, it's worth the read. ~NR

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A three-star book, really, but one worth reading if you've any entrepreneurial inclination at all. Demoted to two stars for difficulty working with the author (and really, he's lucky he got that many).

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. I read it in a single sitting and took about 16 pages of notes. The anecdotes were always on-point and the advice was solid. I would recommend this for the beginner entrepreneur.

[David Rosage · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching the show until it was canceled I had to pick up this book. With all these pent up dreams and desires it inspires me to read the stories of people who have done what I hope to do.

[Justus · Rating 2 out of 5]

loud inspirational business book. I'll do the exercises this weekend, a fun quick read, not much of a keeper I fear.

[Lear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this because I loved the show, very inspiring but the book was a little fluffy, and short on details

[Gina Quigley]

This is pretty cool and full of some awesome stories of amazing people, pretty much the whole book is the stories. I like it.

[Lee Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any entrepreneurial spirit at all, you will enjoy this book!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little generic but still has useful tips. A good book to listen to to jump start a person's entrepreneurial thoughts and process.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely inspired me in my new venture.

[Lori Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A should-read book on entrepreneurship for knowledge workers and aspiring entrepreneurs.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

High energy and inspiration for those with an idea and a dream.