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Your Business Sucks: Build a Business That Works Without Destroying Your Life
If every problem lands on your desk…
If your team can’t function without you…
If switching off feels impossible…
You don’t own a business.
Your business owns you.
In Your Business Build a Business That Works Without Destroying Your Life, Peter Boolkah delivers the brutally honest reality check most entrepreneurs desperately need—but rarely hear.
After more than 60,000 hours working inside businesses across five continents, Peter has seen the same pattern repeat itself over and over exhausted founders trapped inside companies they built to create freedom.
This book exposes the hidden reasons businesses stall, plateau, and burn their owners out—and shows exactly how to escape the cycle.
Through the stories of four business owners stuck on the revenue hamster wheel, you’ll
Why hard work alone keeps entrepreneurs trappedThe leadership habits silently limiting growthHow to stop becoming the bottleneck in your businessWhy most teams stay dependent on the founderThe systems and structures that create scalable freedomHow to grow revenue without sacrificing your lifeWhat it actually takes to build a business that runs without you
Direct, practical, and unapologetically honest, Your Business Sucks cuts through the motivational fluff and business clichés to focus on what really building a company that supports your life instead of consuming it.
Because success isn’t just about revenue.
It’s about creating a business that can grow, scale, and thrive—even when you’re not in the room.
If your team can’t function without you…
If switching off feels impossible…
You don’t own a business.
Your business owns you.
In Your Business Build a Business That Works Without Destroying Your Life, Peter Boolkah delivers the brutally honest reality check most entrepreneurs desperately need—but rarely hear.
After more than 60,000 hours working inside businesses across five continents, Peter has seen the same pattern repeat itself over and over exhausted founders trapped inside companies they built to create freedom.
This book exposes the hidden reasons businesses stall, plateau, and burn their owners out—and shows exactly how to escape the cycle.
Through the stories of four business owners stuck on the revenue hamster wheel, you’ll
Why hard work alone keeps entrepreneurs trappedThe leadership habits silently limiting growthHow to stop becoming the bottleneck in your businessWhy most teams stay dependent on the founderThe systems and structures that create scalable freedomHow to grow revenue without sacrificing your lifeWhat it actually takes to build a business that runs without you
Direct, practical, and unapologetically honest, Your Business Sucks cuts through the motivational fluff and business clichés to focus on what really building a company that supports your life instead of consuming it.
Because success isn’t just about revenue.
It’s about creating a business that can grow, scale, and thrive—even when you’re not in the room.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 5, 2026
I picked up “Your Business Sucks” expecting practical business advice, and that’s exactly what I got.
What I liked most is that the book doesn’t promise a quick fix. Instead, it challenges the idea that one strategy, one system, or one hire will suddenly turn a business around.
The biggest takeaway for me was simple: successful businesses are built by getting lots of small things right. Consistent leadership, clear processes, good communication, accountability, and a willingness to keep improving all matter more than searching for the next magic solution.
The writing is straightforward, easy to follow, and backed by real business experience rather than theory. It encourages you to step back, look honestly at your business, and focus on the fundamentals.
Whether you’re starting out or have been in business for years, there are plenty of practical ideas to reflect on and apply.
A worthwhile read for any business owner who wants sustainable growth rather than shortcuts. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
What I liked most is that the book doesn’t promise a quick fix. Instead, it challenges the idea that one strategy, one system, or one hire will suddenly turn a business around.
The biggest takeaway for me was simple: successful businesses are built by getting lots of small things right. Consistent leadership, clear processes, good communication, accountability, and a willingness to keep improving all matter more than searching for the next magic solution.
The writing is straightforward, easy to follow, and backed by real business experience rather than theory. It encourages you to step back, look honestly at your business, and focus on the fundamentals.
Whether you’re starting out or have been in business for years, there are plenty of practical ideas to reflect on and apply.
A worthwhile read for any business owner who wants sustainable growth rather than shortcuts. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Read
July 26, 2026This book is brutally honest, completely to the point and exactly what I needed to hear.
I’ve realised that I’m currently running on a hamster wheel, trying to do everything, please everyone and carry everybody else’s problems. This book has properly kicked me into touch. It gives real-life advice from someone who clearly understands the pressure of running a business, managing a team and trying to hold everything together.
It’s one of those books you finish and immediately feel like you need to start again. You hear something, think, “I’m doing this completely fucking wrong,” and then decide it’s time to rebuild the way you work and think.
There is an unbelievable amount of information in this book. Honestly, it feels like 35 business books condensed into one. The author tells you when to pause and work through the exercises, but I haven’t managed to pause yet because I couldn’t stop listening. On my next listen, I’m going to slow down, pause properly and work through every tool and exercise because the practical advice is immense.
I’ve read and listened to plenty of business books before, and you can hear elements of those ideas in this one, but this book makes everything relevant to real life and to my own business. It puts me into the right business mindset.
One of my biggest problems is that I try to do too many things and please too many people. This book made me realise that I need to look after the business properly, because the business also needs to look after me.
The biggest lesson I’ve taken from it is that I haven’t been looking after myself at all. I’ve been putting the oxygen mask on everybody else while ignoring the fact that I’m not okay. I’m the one carrying the stress, picking up the crap, covering for everyone and making sure everybody else is all right.
That has to change.
From this day forward, this book has changed how I see my identity, my mindset, my team and my businesses. I’ll keep listening to it, referring back to it and building many of its lessons into the systems and AI prompts I use to manage my companies.
Some parts were also surprisingly emotional. They genuinely brought a tear to my eye. Hearing someone describe the stress, responsibility and emotional weight I’ve been carrying made me realise that somebody else understands it. As soppy as that might sound, it changed the way I think about myself.
I’ve already recommended this book to around 14 people, and everyone who has read or listened to it has said how good it is. When a book really clicks, you want to tell everyone about it. It’s almost like finding a new religion!
What makes this different is that it isn’t written by some prick talking rubbish, repeating empty theories or pretending to have all the answers. It comes across as real experience from someone who genuinely knows what he’s talking about. There’s no pointless philosophy or fluffy business nonsense. It’s practical, honest and based on real situations.
Sorry this review is so long, but this book deserves more than a quick sentence saying, “Great book.” It has genuinely made me stop, think and realise that I need to sort my stuff out.
Thank you, Peter Boolkah, for writing it. I’ll continue reading it, listening to it and putting the lessons into practice.
Highly recommended.
Peter, when’s the next one?
I’ve realised that I’m currently running on a hamster wheel, trying to do everything, please everyone and carry everybody else’s problems. This book has properly kicked me into touch. It gives real-life advice from someone who clearly understands the pressure of running a business, managing a team and trying to hold everything together.
It’s one of those books you finish and immediately feel like you need to start again. You hear something, think, “I’m doing this completely fucking wrong,” and then decide it’s time to rebuild the way you work and think.
There is an unbelievable amount of information in this book. Honestly, it feels like 35 business books condensed into one. The author tells you when to pause and work through the exercises, but I haven’t managed to pause yet because I couldn’t stop listening. On my next listen, I’m going to slow down, pause properly and work through every tool and exercise because the practical advice is immense.
I’ve read and listened to plenty of business books before, and you can hear elements of those ideas in this one, but this book makes everything relevant to real life and to my own business. It puts me into the right business mindset.
One of my biggest problems is that I try to do too many things and please too many people. This book made me realise that I need to look after the business properly, because the business also needs to look after me.
The biggest lesson I’ve taken from it is that I haven’t been looking after myself at all. I’ve been putting the oxygen mask on everybody else while ignoring the fact that I’m not okay. I’m the one carrying the stress, picking up the crap, covering for everyone and making sure everybody else is all right.
That has to change.
From this day forward, this book has changed how I see my identity, my mindset, my team and my businesses. I’ll keep listening to it, referring back to it and building many of its lessons into the systems and AI prompts I use to manage my companies.
Some parts were also surprisingly emotional. They genuinely brought a tear to my eye. Hearing someone describe the stress, responsibility and emotional weight I’ve been carrying made me realise that somebody else understands it. As soppy as that might sound, it changed the way I think about myself.
I’ve already recommended this book to around 14 people, and everyone who has read or listened to it has said how good it is. When a book really clicks, you want to tell everyone about it. It’s almost like finding a new religion!
What makes this different is that it isn’t written by some prick talking rubbish, repeating empty theories or pretending to have all the answers. It comes across as real experience from someone who genuinely knows what he’s talking about. There’s no pointless philosophy or fluffy business nonsense. It’s practical, honest and based on real situations.
Sorry this review is so long, but this book deserves more than a quick sentence saying, “Great book.” It has genuinely made me stop, think and realise that I need to sort my stuff out.
Thank you, Peter Boolkah, for writing it. I’ll continue reading it, listening to it and putting the lessons into practice.
Highly recommended.
Peter, when’s the next one?
July 26, 2026
I've read a lot of business books over the years, but Your Business Sucks stood out because it's so direct and practical. Peter Boolkah doesn't waste time with fluff or theory—he gets straight to the point and challenges you to think differently about how you're running your business.
I've also had the opportunity to see Peter speak, and what really struck me is that he's exactly the same in person as he is in the book: straightforward, honest, and refreshingly empathetic. He tells you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear, but it always comes across as someone who genuinely wants to help business owners succeed.
What I liked most was that the book made me stop and honestly assess what was working and what wasn't. There were several moments where I caught myself thinking, "That's exactly what we're doing." Rather than just pointing out problems, Peter offers practical ideas and frameworks that you can actually implement.
The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, with plenty of real-world examples that make the advice feel relevant rather than generic. It's the kind of book that makes you want to grab a notebook and start making changes before you've even finished reading.
If you're a business owner who's feeling stuck, wants to improve profitability, or simply wants to build a better business, I'd highly recommend giving this a read. It's honest, thought-provoking, and full of actionable advice that I'm already putting into practice.
I've also had the opportunity to see Peter speak, and what really struck me is that he's exactly the same in person as he is in the book: straightforward, honest, and refreshingly empathetic. He tells you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear, but it always comes across as someone who genuinely wants to help business owners succeed.
What I liked most was that the book made me stop and honestly assess what was working and what wasn't. There were several moments where I caught myself thinking, "That's exactly what we're doing." Rather than just pointing out problems, Peter offers practical ideas and frameworks that you can actually implement.
The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, with plenty of real-world examples that make the advice feel relevant rather than generic. It's the kind of book that makes you want to grab a notebook and start making changes before you've even finished reading.
If you're a business owner who's feeling stuck, wants to improve profitability, or simply wants to build a better business, I'd highly recommend giving this a read. It's honest, thought-provoking, and full of actionable advice that I'm already putting into practice.
July 27, 2026
Peter Boolkah has written the book that so many business owners need but don’t realise they’re looking for.
Your Business Sucks is refreshingly honest, practical and packed with real-world advice. Rather than offering vague business theory, Peter provides a clear framework for building a business that delivers growth, profit and freedom—without sacrificing your health, family or sanity in the process.
What I particularly enjoyed was the balance between mindset and execution. The stories, examples and actionable strategies make it easy to reflect on your own business and identify exactly where things need to change. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, trapped in the day-to-day, or simply want to build a business that can thrive without relying on you for every decision, this book gives you a practical roadmap.
Peter’s experience shines through on every page, and his straightforward, no-nonsense style makes complex business concepts easy to understand and implement.
If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner or leader who wants to build a business that works for you rather than because of you, buy this book. It could save you years of frustration and completely change the way you think about running your business.
Highly recommended.
August 23, 2026
As a coach, I was keen to hear from the world's top-ranked ActionCOACH. The title gives you a hint of what's coming: the honest truth about how most SMEs are run — on a wing and a prayer.
For me, the heart of the book is getting business owners to recognise they're running things in an unsustainable way, and then showing them they can fix it by applying small, bite-sized actions consistently over time. I also liked Boolkah's portraits of different business owners: the stressed-out solopreneur going it alone, the friends who went into business together, and the family business owner desperate to leave a legacy. Each one felt recognisable, and each comes with its own lessons.
What sets this apart from a lot of business books is that it doesn't leave you with theory alone — Boolkah backs it up with practical workbooks available to download from his website, so readers can actually put the bite-sized actions into practice rather than just nodding along.
If you're a coach or an SME owner who suspects things are held together with tape and good intentions, this is worth your time.
For me, the heart of the book is getting business owners to recognise they're running things in an unsustainable way, and then showing them they can fix it by applying small, bite-sized actions consistently over time. I also liked Boolkah's portraits of different business owners: the stressed-out solopreneur going it alone, the friends who went into business together, and the family business owner desperate to leave a legacy. Each one felt recognisable, and each comes with its own lessons.
What sets this apart from a lot of business books is that it doesn't leave you with theory alone — Boolkah backs it up with practical workbooks available to download from his website, so readers can actually put the bite-sized actions into practice rather than just nodding along.
If you're a coach or an SME owner who suspects things are held together with tape and good intentions, this is worth your time.
August 23, 2026
I recently read this book and found it incredibly relatable as a business owner.
What I liked most about the book is that it doesn’t sugar-coat the realities of running a business. It makes you look honestly at the areas where you may be holding your business back, particularly when it comes to trying to do everything yourself rather than building the right systems and team around you.
There were so many points that made me stop and reflect on the way I currently run my own business and where I could make changes. It’s practical, easy to read and, most importantly, actually makes you want to take action rather than just giving you more business theory.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has built a successful business but feels overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or knows that the next stage of growth requires them to start thinking differently.
What I liked most about the book is that it doesn’t sugar-coat the realities of running a business. It makes you look honestly at the areas where you may be holding your business back, particularly when it comes to trying to do everything yourself rather than building the right systems and team around you.
There were so many points that made me stop and reflect on the way I currently run my own business and where I could make changes. It’s practical, easy to read and, most importantly, actually makes you want to take action rather than just giving you more business theory.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has built a successful business but feels overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or knows that the next stage of growth requires them to start thinking differently.
August 25, 2026
I'm a colleague of Peter (the author) and whilst the book is definitely easy to read, freely shares Peter's extensive knowledge built up over 15+ years of working with SMEs and is very relatable to most business owners, the real value for me is in how easy Your Business Sucks makes it to start the change.
I've read hundreds of business books over the years and implemented the principles of a fair few in multiple businesses but this is without doubt the clearest, simplest handbook of how to build the business that works for you (not the other way around) that I've come across.
If you're ready to make a change and build a business asset worthy of all your hard work - this is a great place to start.
I've read hundreds of business books over the years and implemented the principles of a fair few in multiple businesses but this is without doubt the clearest, simplest handbook of how to build the business that works for you (not the other way around) that I've come across.
If you're ready to make a change and build a business asset worthy of all your hard work - this is a great place to start.
August 10, 2026
Your Business Sucks has really opened my eyes as a new business owner, especially to the importance of putting my own oxygen mask on first. By looking after myself and creating the right structure around my business, I’m learning that I’m in a much better position to support my clients, my family and the people around me.
August 26, 2026
I recently read this book and was surprised by just how much I could relate to it.
Rather than offering generic motivational advice, it provides practical insights and a clear perspective on how to build a successful business that can grow without sacrificing your time, health, or personal life.
It’s engaging, easy to understand, and packed with valuable lessons that can genuinely make you rethink the way you approach and run your business.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has built a successful business but feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about what comes next.
Rather than offering generic motivational advice, it provides practical insights and a clear perspective on how to build a successful business that can grow without sacrificing your time, health, or personal life.
It’s engaging, easy to understand, and packed with valuable lessons that can genuinely make you rethink the way you approach and run your business.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has built a successful business but feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about what comes next.
July 26, 2026
A must read for all business owners.
You will easily identify yourself with the situations addressed.
A very clear message. Very practical. Focus on solutions we can all apply immediately
You will easily identify yourself with the situations addressed.
A very clear message. Very practical. Focus on solutions we can all apply immediately
August 3, 2026
taking off the gloves
A practical, no nonsense system to implement to make your business run without you. You provided me with the very necessary mirror to objectively look at my business. Thank you Peter Boolkah.
A practical, no nonsense system to implement to make your business run without you. You provided me with the very necessary mirror to objectively look at my business. Thank you Peter Boolkah.
August 31, 2026
Well worth reading, whether you’re just starting out or, like me, have been running a business for a long time.
August 18, 2026
You sometimes read books that open your eyes and remind you of the mess you are in. Other books are sometimes a confirmation you are on the right track.
This book is a complete mix of both emotions. Well written it tells the story of three businesses and their owners. Most situations and conversations in the book are spot on and paint a very realistic picture. So, whether you are a seasoned business owner with everything well under control, or a typical hamster wheel runner, this book will give you very valuable insights, tips and tricks on how to improve or on how to stay in control.
Comes highly recommended.
This book is a complete mix of both emotions. Well written it tells the story of three businesses and their owners. Most situations and conversations in the book are spot on and paint a very realistic picture. So, whether you are a seasoned business owner with everything well under control, or a typical hamster wheel runner, this book will give you very valuable insights, tips and tricks on how to improve or on how to stay in control.
Comes highly recommended.
July 27, 2026
Honest, candid, with loads of can-do. In this book, Peter challenges you to look at how your business is not working for you, then walks you through a series of strategies to fix it. Brilliant, straightforward and simple. I am relatively happy with my business, yet this book made me look at where else I can be simplifying my business and my life and thus getting more from both.
An absolute must-read for any business owner who is feeling stuck or not getting what they want from their business, or who simply wants to make it run a bit smoother.
An absolute must-read for any business owner who is feeling stuck or not getting what they want from their business, or who simply wants to make it run a bit smoother.
August 11, 2026
I particularly enjoy business books which are written with an underlying storyline. From my own perspective, I find it much easier to pinpoint the exact spot where I left off, so I was off to a winner from the get go! The author has very cleverly hit on the nerve of almost every business owner, the desire to build their a business which can work without completely taking over their life! I love the author’s no nonsense approach which causes you to take a long hard look at yourself before you start to tackle the business challenges ahead. I highly recommend this book for all small business owners hoping to get off the ‘hamster wheel’.
September 21, 2026
A must read for any small business owner. The book is full of strategies and tactics that you can immediately used to improve your business.
September 17, 2026
Reading this book during a 4 day break (the only break I’d managed to squeeze in during a very busy summer holiday and it couldn’t have been more perfectly timed (literally perfect). Peter’s first hand experience couldn’t be more apparent and with practical guidance to get you started I guarantee if you’re in the growth mindset you won’t want to put it down.
July 19, 2026
I met Peter several years ago and had the opportunity to be coached. He illuminated to me, much like this book, my business sucked, (though he used much more colorful language).
Peter artfully walks through many of the lessons I have learned and use in my coaching.
This is a must read for any who truly want to take their business to the next level.
A long awaited follow up to The EMyth Revisited.
Peter artfully walks through many of the lessons I have learned and use in my coaching.
This is a must read for any who truly want to take their business to the next level.
A long awaited follow up to The EMyth Revisited.
July 19, 2026
A great read and a great reminder of all the challenges a business owner faces every day. Simple and a great reminder of the basics, everyone running the business of their dreams needs to read this to turn it into the business of their dreams!
Highly recommended, you'll invest a few days in reading this thoroughly, but you'll benefit from it for a lifetime. Thank you.
Highly recommended, you'll invest a few days in reading this thoroughly, but you'll benefit from it for a lifetime. Thank you.
September 1, 2026
A Straightforward Business Book That Makes You Look at Your Own Business
I’ve just finished reading Your Business Sucks by Peter Boolkah, and I can honestly say it is one of the most straightforward and refreshingly honest business books I’ve read.
What I particularly liked is that Peter doesn’t hide behind complicated business jargon or theoretical concepts. The message is clear, direct, and sometimes uncomfortable, which is exactly what makes the book so valuable.
Throughout many of the chapters, I found myself recognising my own business, my own challenges, and some of the mistakes I’ve made along the way. It makes you stop, reflect, and look honestly at what isn’t working and, more importantly, what you need to change.
This isn’t a book that simply makes you feel good about being a business owner. It challenges you to take responsibility and confront the areas of your business that may not be performing as well as you think.
If you're a business owner who is willing to be honest with yourself and genuinely wants to improve, I strongly recommend reading this book.
Clear, practical, honest, and straight to the point. Definitely worth reading.
I’ve just finished reading Your Business Sucks by Peter Boolkah, and I can honestly say it is one of the most straightforward and refreshingly honest business books I’ve read.
What I particularly liked is that Peter doesn’t hide behind complicated business jargon or theoretical concepts. The message is clear, direct, and sometimes uncomfortable, which is exactly what makes the book so valuable.
Throughout many of the chapters, I found myself recognising my own business, my own challenges, and some of the mistakes I’ve made along the way. It makes you stop, reflect, and look honestly at what isn’t working and, more importantly, what you need to change.
This isn’t a book that simply makes you feel good about being a business owner. It challenges you to take responsibility and confront the areas of your business that may not be performing as well as you think.
If you're a business owner who is willing to be honest with yourself and genuinely wants to improve, I strongly recommend reading this book.
Clear, practical, honest, and straight to the point. Definitely worth reading.
September 2, 2026
You don't get a to-do list. You get a mirror.
I've read a lot of business books. Most of them tell you what to do. This one tells you what you're doing — and that's a lot less comfortable.
The premise landed straight away: if every problem still ends up on your desk, you don't own a business, your business owns you. I've been that guy. Building the thing that was supposed to buy me freedom, and quietly handing it every hour I had instead.
What I appreciate is that Boolkah doesn't sell a single fix. Not one hire, not one system, not one good quarter. He puts the owner in front of the mirror first, and only then hands over the tools — and there are plenty of them. That also makes it clear what kind of book this is: not one you finish on a flight and feel good about, but one you work through, with a pen.
If your business can't survive a week without you, start here.
I've read a lot of business books. Most of them tell you what to do. This one tells you what you're doing — and that's a lot less comfortable.
The premise landed straight away: if every problem still ends up on your desk, you don't own a business, your business owns you. I've been that guy. Building the thing that was supposed to buy me freedom, and quietly handing it every hour I had instead.
What I appreciate is that Boolkah doesn't sell a single fix. Not one hire, not one system, not one good quarter. He puts the owner in front of the mirror first, and only then hands over the tools — and there are plenty of them. That also makes it clear what kind of book this is: not one you finish on a flight and feel good about, but one you work through, with a pen.
If your business can't survive a week without you, start here.
July 9, 2026
If this book doesn’t help you see things more clearly in your business and life, I’m honestly not sure what will. Peter has a way of telling you the ugly truth so directly that it almost hurts, but somehow he still makes you feel supported while doing it. That’s not easy to pull off, and it’s really well done.
There are some business books out there which have an arrogance to them "Trust me, I know this, I’ve made millions." This is definitely not one of those.
He helps you look beneath the surface and notice the things you may not have wanted to see, even though they’ve clearly been affecting you. And once you see them, he gives you a practical way to start dealing with them.
There are some business books out there which have an arrogance to them "Trust me, I know this, I’ve made millions." This is definitely not one of those.
He helps you look beneath the surface and notice the things you may not have wanted to see, even though they’ve clearly been affecting you. And once you see them, he gives you a practical way to start dealing with them.
September 3, 2026
A very relatable and practical read. I really enjoyed how the author turned common business struggles into an easy and engaging story. I could relate to many of the situations the business owners faced, and the advice felt practical rather than just theoretical.
Plenty of useful ideas and frameworks that you can actually apply. Definitely worth a read for any business owner looking to improve both their business and themselves.
Plenty of useful ideas and frameworks that you can actually apply. Definitely worth a read for any business owner looking to improve both their business and themselves.
August 31, 2026
This book really hit home, It makes you stop and think about how much time and personal energy your business eats up. The advice is simple, honest and practical and provides a fresh perspective on building a business that works. Definitely worth a read for any business owner.
August 25, 2026
I first gave the book a quick flip-through and immediately found a lot of frameworks and tools. It was immediately clear this book came with the expectation that work needed to be done. So it’s not for someone looking for filler reading or something to ponder over. It’s for someone who has a business not yet ready for Good to Great and instead needs to go from Suck to Good.
So onto reading… this book doesn’t pull punches. You meet characters who are everyday folks pursuing the dream of owning their own business. And while there is a high growth startup and a decades old manufacturing business in the mix, their stories are very relatable. Seems business ownership comes with a universal truth: if you aren’t careful, the business will end up owning you. And boy, that’s been my experience. Some chapters read right out of my own personal experiences I’ve lived through and other chapters were immediately relevant. As someone who has done much of the work presented and still working towards having a finished business, I can tell you this book is worth buying, reading, and putting to action. I’ve already referred others to it as well as sent it to a few folks who will benefit greatly from its story and guidance. Become the person who has a business that’s good and ultimately great. The transformation begins with you reading and putting this book to action. As the book so cleverly makes evident: Your business sucks because you do.
So onto reading… this book doesn’t pull punches. You meet characters who are everyday folks pursuing the dream of owning their own business. And while there is a high growth startup and a decades old manufacturing business in the mix, their stories are very relatable. Seems business ownership comes with a universal truth: if you aren’t careful, the business will end up owning you. And boy, that’s been my experience. Some chapters read right out of my own personal experiences I’ve lived through and other chapters were immediately relevant. As someone who has done much of the work presented and still working towards having a finished business, I can tell you this book is worth buying, reading, and putting to action. I’ve already referred others to it as well as sent it to a few folks who will benefit greatly from its story and guidance. Become the person who has a business that’s good and ultimately great. The transformation begins with you reading and putting this book to action. As the book so cleverly makes evident: Your business sucks because you do.
July 19, 2026
As someone who has built and run businesses for many years, I have read a great number of business books. Many offer useful ideas, but few genuinely make you stop and reconsider how you are operating.
Your Business Sucks did that for me.
Peter Boolkah captures the realities of business ownership extremely well, particularly the pressure, constant decision-making and tendency to become so involved in the day-to-day that you lose sight of the business you originally wanted to build.
What made the book valuable for me was its combination of relatable stories, honest questions and practical frameworks. It helped me reflect on areas of my own business where I had accepted complexity, busyness or frustration as simply part of the journey, rather than something that could be challenged and improved.
This is not a book filled with theory. It gives you practical ideas you can apply immediately and encourages you to take an honest look at your leadership, your systems and the role the business plays in your life.
It made a meaningful difference to the way I think about building a business that is more scalable, valuable and fulfilling. I would highly recommend it to any business owner who wants their business to work for them, rather than allowing it to consume them.
Your Business Sucks did that for me.
Peter Boolkah captures the realities of business ownership extremely well, particularly the pressure, constant decision-making and tendency to become so involved in the day-to-day that you lose sight of the business you originally wanted to build.
What made the book valuable for me was its combination of relatable stories, honest questions and practical frameworks. It helped me reflect on areas of my own business where I had accepted complexity, busyness or frustration as simply part of the journey, rather than something that could be challenged and improved.
This is not a book filled with theory. It gives you practical ideas you can apply immediately and encourages you to take an honest look at your leadership, your systems and the role the business plays in your life.
It made a meaningful difference to the way I think about building a business that is more scalable, valuable and fulfilling. I would highly recommend it to any business owner who wants their business to work for them, rather than allowing it to consume them.
July 26, 2026
Peter Boolkah’s Your Business Sucks is a direct, practical and uncomfortable read in the right way.
The title is deliberately provocative, but the real value of the book is the issue underneath it. Many business owners have not built a bad business. They have built a business that depends too heavily on them. Every decision, problem and escalation still finds its way back to the founder, until the business that was meant to create freedom quietly starts taking it away.
What I appreciated is that Peter does not overcomplicate the message. He writes plainly about founder dependency, leadership habits, weak systems and the discipline required to build a business that can function properly without the owner constantly holding everything together.
For me, the book is not just about growth. It is about the harder question of whether the business is becoming stronger as it grows, or simply more dependent on the person who created it.
A valuable read for founders, owner-managers and advisers who work with business owners.
The title is deliberately provocative, but the real value of the book is the issue underneath it. Many business owners have not built a bad business. They have built a business that depends too heavily on them. Every decision, problem and escalation still finds its way back to the founder, until the business that was meant to create freedom quietly starts taking it away.
What I appreciated is that Peter does not overcomplicate the message. He writes plainly about founder dependency, leadership habits, weak systems and the discipline required to build a business that can function properly without the owner constantly holding everything together.
For me, the book is not just about growth. It is about the harder question of whether the business is becoming stronger as it grows, or simply more dependent on the person who created it.
A valuable read for founders, owner-managers and advisers who work with business owners.
July 28, 2026
There are times in your life when you see/hear/read something and think “I really wish I’d seen this before”. Your Business Sucks is one of those moments.
As someone who’s run several businesses and coaches other businesses I think this is a no-nonsense and very realistic view of what it’s actually like to run a business. It takes EOS type systems along with Actioncoach frameworks )both valid systems by the way) and explains what it actually takes to run a business while avoiding the common pitfalls.
Ive often said you need a licence to drive a car but a poorly run business (must are!) can damage or destroy your health, family, friendships and more.
Until it is mandatory to get a licence to run a business Books like this should be compulsory reading for anyone thinking of starting their own, and every caring friend and relative should gift one to their loved ones!
As someone who’s run several businesses and coaches other businesses I think this is a no-nonsense and very realistic view of what it’s actually like to run a business. It takes EOS type systems along with Actioncoach frameworks )both valid systems by the way) and explains what it actually takes to run a business while avoiding the common pitfalls.
Ive often said you need a licence to drive a car but a poorly run business (must are!) can damage or destroy your health, family, friendships and more.
Until it is mandatory to get a licence to run a business Books like this should be compulsory reading for anyone thinking of starting their own, and every caring friend and relative should gift one to their loved ones!
August 15, 2026
Your Business Sucks is a masterpiece of communication in making the complex simple. Peter Boolkah has produced a a very unique work. He uses the questioning style of James, the lead character, to create dialogue with Sarah, Marcus, Elena and David to give us a deeper understanding of the challenges we face and also how we are the solution. By “we” I mean all of us, whether in business or in the professions, who find our lives being uncomfortably controlled or even compromised by our work, instead of our work being comfortably controlled by us.
You get the most critical message early when you are asked to complete your Personal Sustainability Audit! Trust in itself is a motivator to read and re read this book, as we shift from being a passenger to the driver in our journey to achieving sustainable success, whatever our chosen field of endeavour.
You get the most critical message early when you are asked to complete your Personal Sustainability Audit! Trust in itself is a motivator to read and re read this book, as we shift from being a passenger to the driver in our journey to achieving sustainable success, whatever our chosen field of endeavour.
October 3, 2026
A must-read for any business owner
As both a business owner and a business coach, I genuinely believe this is a must-read.
This book can completely change the way you think about where you are in your business and in your life. It challenges you to question whether the business you’ve built is actually giving you the freedom you wanted when you started it, or whether you’ve simply created a job that you can’t escape from.
But this isn’t just a book to read and put back on the shelf. If you actually apply what Peter talks about, it can change the way you run your business and ultimately help you create the life that so many business owners dream of, but don’t always believe is possible.
A brilliant book, thought-provoking, practical and one I’ll definitely be recommending to the business owners I work with.
As both a business owner and a business coach, I genuinely believe this is a must-read.
This book can completely change the way you think about where you are in your business and in your life. It challenges you to question whether the business you’ve built is actually giving you the freedom you wanted when you started it, or whether you’ve simply created a job that you can’t escape from.
But this isn’t just a book to read and put back on the shelf. If you actually apply what Peter talks about, it can change the way you run your business and ultimately help you create the life that so many business owners dream of, but don’t always believe is possible.
A brilliant book, thought-provoking, practical and one I’ll definitely be recommending to the business owners I work with.
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