Purpose & Profit

by Dan Koe

Money, even if it doesn't buy happiness directly, controls most people's lives. I refuse to believe that money is the source of your problems. In fact, I believe that solving your problems is the source of meaningful money.

If happiness—or enjoyment—is the combination of progress being made and contribution to something greater than yourself, and both are accomplished by solving problems—for yourself and others—and problems are solved through creativity, then the only logical and fundamental life path for those who want a good life is to become a creator.

Most people’s definition of money was adopted from their parents, teachers, and society which benefits from narrow minds working on narrow tasks. Money is only superficial to the superficial. If you have even the slightest belief that meaning and money can be merged, there is a sequence of steps you can take to reach that point, but nobody can teach you those steps. You must create them.

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Finance, Personal Development

138 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2025

Reviews

[Shevaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire premise of this book is based on Dan's quote within:

"All pursuits are materialistic until a philosophical sense of mastery is formed, even the most “spiritual” pursuits. Then, it becomes your vehicle into the unknown. A vessel to expand and evolve."

As always, great writing and an encouraging sense of calm.

He busts the uncomfortable bubble of

"if we don’t have high-agency parents who also understand how the mind works, we become subservient to the dominant paradigm. In this case, that’s going to school, getting a job, and retiring at some age with far less than what you were promised."

All while doing it gracefully and with meaning.

[sawaaiiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In a world where most people are worried about what skills they should learn, start writing. The mark of a free individual is that they do many things throughout their life. This requires them to learn how to learn, how to think, and how to earn. Writing checks the boxes of all three. Schools and jobs tell us what to learn, hinder our ability to think, and prepare us to earn within narrow boundaries. Writing is how you solidify understanding of your studies, mold your thoughts in physical form, and create something worth paying for."

[Yasar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel perspective.
Clear roadmap.
Deep meaning.

I already know a lot about Dan's work, yet this helps me see the bigger picture and adds valuable context.
Considering its length and value-density, it would also make a great gift for someone starting their entrepreneurial journey.

Can't recommend it enough.

[David McGill-Soriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read about creating a life you want to live.

[Andrew Lisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve spent the last 10 years building what Dan Koe describes in this book: a life where purpose and profit aren’t in conflict but in sync.

A life designed around contribution, systems, and time freedom—not just passion or identity.

What surprised me about Purpose & Profit wasn’t the novelty of the ideas, but how clearly and succinctly Koe captures a path I’ve walked through years of trial and error.
He names what some of us have lived but struggled to explain.

This isn’t just another business mindset book. It’s a reframing of how to live, earn, and grow in alignment with what matters—while staying rooted in reality, not wishful thinking.

I wrote a full reflection on my journey (including critiques and highlights from the book) here:
https://occhipervedere.com/2025/04/19...

[Diana25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read my first time is a good essay for one solo business person and gave u hacks about it

[Marwan Elnakeeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan is a good thinker and I love his ideas. He’s just getting started and soon will be a household name as a successful writer and entrepreneur. Great book.
Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nuru Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated Dan Koe's insights on how our beliefs about money influence our earning potential. If we view money as evil, we may subconsciously avoid working hard to earn it, believing it to be inherently negative. Conversely, if we see money as a necessary tool, we are more likely to pursue it and embrace opportunities for financial growth.

Additionally, I found it crucial to understand the importance of writing in today's era of artificial intelligence. Effective communication remains a vital skill, even as technology evolves

[Ravi Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book. It's a call to action to all those worried about Replacement™. Replacement by advances in technology. Replacement by corporate greed, layoffs, and offshoring. Replacement by cheaper labor. Replacement orchestrated by the elite who are looking for cheaper labor. It's also a call to action to those who have a greater calling than being part of the workforce. This isn't a book. It's a solution. The solution being entrepreneurship. The biggest contribution of this book is how it marries purpose and profit. Find something that truly speaks to you. Then find a way to monetize it. Otherwise, you're consigning yourself to a life of working for someone else's profit, laboring for someone else's dream, susceptible to someone else's whim. Another big contribution of the book is that it doesn't ask you to categorically start a business. You can be someone's employee, a researcher, even a full time stock trader, and yet be entrepreneurial. It's a mindset shift toward taking ownership and solving real problems that people would benefit from. Because, to paraphrase: life, tools, and money will evolve, but problems will always be there - problems that need to be solved. This isn't a book. It's common sense that isn't so common. People would hate on money and the rich, and hate selling, but then go and work their whole lives for someone who's rich and is selling something. It sounds better instead to try to earn selling something that's deeply meaningful to someone. Some sentences and phrasing felt a little off to me, but that doesn't take away from the purpose (ahem) of the book.

[J.R. Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super and succinct take on how to think (not what to think/do) in pursuit of the good life. Koe's writing is always engaging, well paced and prescient. I love his modern translation of Alan Watts and other philosophers while making it intensely practical for our modern world of 'work'.

I've made plenty of highlights already on this one and only intended to enjoy it first!

"Nobody wants to be a monkey in a cubicle."

[Lucas Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro simples, curto e com uma mensagem poderosa sobre como podemos (e devemos) criar.

Crie. Qualquer coisa. O que estiver dentro da sua mente, da sua alma, coloque pra fora e transforme o mundo num lugar melhor.

Não pare, não escute os outros (na medida do possível) não se autosabote. Crie.

[Ferhat Elmas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short coherent essay for a call to entrepreneurship, especially now considering much lower barrier to entry. It also emphasizes writing as a force-multiplier meta-skill, the ideal launchpad for anyone still undecided about where to start.

[Mateusz Brudnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read for people who struggle with spiritual beliefs according to earning money. It certainly helped me clarify some mental models which aren’t optimal in today day and age.
Thanks Dan and be well my friend!!!

[Kristy Boxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, that helped me to get my entropic mind into a sharp, focused and creative machine.

Love the fabulous combination of philosophy, psychology, finding purpose & generating profit type of mindset and many more.

Dan Koe's reads never disappoint.

[Secretdada · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good

[Abdi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan's outlook on differentiating yourself is sound and exciting to think about. It makes you think outside the box when it comes to solving problems -> earning money.

[Nopadol Rompho · Rating 4 out of 5]

เป็นหนังสือที่ให้ความรู้เกี่ยวกับ Purpose และ Profit ตามชื่อเลยครับ

[Ainomira Ilario · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure I'll come back and give it five stars, but I'll do that when I get paid by my first client. This is how confident I am that it will hapen.

[Shanmugavedhan Manimaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

a gold-mine of insights and wisdom on taking the unconventional path...

[Sumit Prasad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the way Dan Koe connects purpose and money together. It's a must twice or thrice read book. Yes, it's futuristic.

[Furkan Torun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Eye opening.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

lol i learnt how to write more than anything else

[Chris Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep and heady stuff but really insightful

[Lyubomir Yanchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening. My most valuable read this year.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Sydney Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire as hell be revisiting 100%

[Cody Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Dan Koe and his ideas. This book isn’t terribly revolutionary, but I’d say it’s a distillation of all his work to this point. So if you want the cliff notes on all things Dan Koe, this is your book.