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Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart – Practical Tools for Building Your Business While Nurturing Mental Health and Joy
The former CEO of Clif Bar, Co-founder of Plum, and serial entrepreneur offers insights about launching and growing a business while maintaining a fulfilled life in this practical guide filled with hard-won advice culled from the author’s own sometimes dark, raw experiences. With a foreword by Steve Blank.
Aspiring entrepreneurs are told that to launch a business, you must go all in, devoting every resource and moment to making it work. But following this advice comes at an enormous personal cost: divorce, addiction, even suicide. It means sacrificing the intangibles that make life worth living.
Sheryl O’Loughlin knows there is a better way. In Killing It, she shares the wisdom she’s gained from her successful experiences launching a company from the ground up (Plum), running two fast-growing companies (Clif Bar and REBBL), and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs (Stanford University). She tells it like it is: If you don’t invest in your wellbeing, your business will not succeed, nor will you.
Sheryl knows firsthand the difficulty of balancing the needs of her growing family with her physical and mental health, while managing other work and life challenges. In this warm, honest, and wise handbook, she gives you the essentials for killing it in business—without killing the rest of your life.
Filled with real-life examples and anecdotes, Killing It addresses common questions including:
How do you prepare your significant other for your business venture
How do you time launching and growing your business with the ebb and flow of family life
How do you find joy in the day-to-day
How do you maintain meaningful, supportive friendships
How do you walk away and start again
The ultimate life and business course, Killing It gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to start their enterprise and thrive—both in the office and at home.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published December 6, 2016
18 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl O'Loughlin
2 books2 followersAs a child, Sheryl O'Loughlin was best known for rushing everywhere and being too impatient to pour milk into a glass before drinking it. As an adult, Sheryl is no less eager. She served as the CEO of Clif Bar, where she introduced the world to Luna bars; she was the cofounder and CEO of Plum Organics; and she is currently CEO of REBBL super herb beverages. One of her favorite roles was mentoring budding entrepreneurs when she was the executive director at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. With her book, Sheryl is able to share her advice with a wider group of current and aspiring entrepreneurs all at once, which delights her because, well, it's faster. And that means more time for drinking wine at her Santa Rosa home, and hanging out with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 24, 2017
Possibly the most high value, honest, and essential book of entrepreneurship I’ve ever read. Sheryl has created an amazing book with actionable items and advice on how to tastefully navigate sensitive circumstances. This book is full of not only her own experiences, but the experiences of other entrepreneurs who have faced challenges to much success or failure. Never before has a business book so necessarily addressed how entrepreneurs overcome those failures, or how they move past their crowning success. This book is pure gold and is something every serious business person should read the entire way through. No skipping, no skimming, but to fully absorb everything she discusses: partnerships, personal relationships, and self care included. This woman has imparted all the wisdom I’ve been looking for in dozens of business books. Read this book for the love of yourself.
February 1, 2017
Do you want to start your own business or are you thinking of starting your own business? In that case, you need to get yourself a copy of Killing It by Sheryl O'Loughlin. For entrepreneurs and those who wants to be but are skeptical to take the first step, Killing It is well written and easy to understand. Sheryl O'Loughlin is experience in business, in launching her own company and running fast growing companies. She knows what she's talking about, and she is candid about it. She doesn't sugar coat it. Starting and running a business is hard work. It takes dedication and sacrifice. You need to want it, and willing to make it work.
The author is smart, funny and relatable. She speaks to you as the reader with confidence as well as the struggles in balancing work and personal life, providing examples to further explain her point. I find this book can almost relate to those in any leadership role, not necessarily in business, but it definitely will benefit those in the business sector. This is one of those books that I will want to share with others, as well as keep it handy around.
This review first appeared on my link text blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
The author is smart, funny and relatable. She speaks to you as the reader with confidence as well as the struggles in balancing work and personal life, providing examples to further explain her point. I find this book can almost relate to those in any leadership role, not necessarily in business, but it definitely will benefit those in the business sector. This is one of those books that I will want to share with others, as well as keep it handy around.
This review first appeared on my link text blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
July 1, 2017
I have read many business books and memoirs of entrepreneurial leaders but this on resonated with me at a whole different level. It examines the life of an entrepreneur from a professional AND personal level in such a beautiful way. I highly recommend to any one going into business to read - not just the traditional entrepreneur!
November 16, 2016
I received the ARC book through Goodreads giveaway and HarperCollins for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down!!! I love how it shows you to have balance in your life while still running a business.
January 5, 2024
Book #34 of 2021. "Killing It!" by Sheryl O'Loughlin. 3/5 rating.
With the title being my favorite, and most-used phrase, I definitely had to give this entrepreneurship book a read.
Sheryl uses her experience in a few different start-ups (Clif Bar, Plum, and REBBL) to talk all about being an entrepreneur. Having once had aspirations of starting my own company, I think her advice seems to be a great mixture of the optimism, and benefits of being an entrepreneur, mixed with the right amount of reality and humility for the difficulties that come with it.
I appreciated that Sheryl realizes how much of ourselves we put into our work and how important it is to be authentic in what you are trying to build. She has great talks of aligning your values with the company and its goals for measuring success. Her talk of the need to realize that it will take pre-planning, as well as a good amount of willpower to hold to a reasonable amount of hours and energy put into a start-up is really refreshing. Americans work way too much already, but if you look at many entrepreneurs, they are completely consumed by their businesses. This is understandable, and there are times when this might be necessary, but the importance of having your life grounded in non-work aspects cannot be overstated.
If you are looking to start your own company, or even if you are looking to join a start-up this is definitely a worthwhile book to read.
With the title being my favorite, and most-used phrase, I definitely had to give this entrepreneurship book a read.
Sheryl uses her experience in a few different start-ups (Clif Bar, Plum, and REBBL) to talk all about being an entrepreneur. Having once had aspirations of starting my own company, I think her advice seems to be a great mixture of the optimism, and benefits of being an entrepreneur, mixed with the right amount of reality and humility for the difficulties that come with it.
I appreciated that Sheryl realizes how much of ourselves we put into our work and how important it is to be authentic in what you are trying to build. She has great talks of aligning your values with the company and its goals for measuring success. Her talk of the need to realize that it will take pre-planning, as well as a good amount of willpower to hold to a reasonable amount of hours and energy put into a start-up is really refreshing. Americans work way too much already, but if you look at many entrepreneurs, they are completely consumed by their businesses. This is understandable, and there are times when this might be necessary, but the importance of having your life grounded in non-work aspects cannot be overstated.
If you are looking to start your own company, or even if you are looking to join a start-up this is definitely a worthwhile book to read.
October 18, 2020
All in all, the book achieved what the author set out to share - a guide to be an entrepreneur without losing your heart and more importantly your life. It's written structurally with each chapter covering different aspect of life i.e. self worth, family, friendship, health & emotional being, risk, etc and expressed like how a friend/mentor would remind you on the important things in life other than your "baby" business.
A casual yet essential read for entrepreneurs to continuously be reminded and questioned that there's more beyond achieving bottom line targets and investors' financial expectations.
A casual yet essential read for entrepreneurs to continuously be reminded and questioned that there's more beyond achieving bottom line targets and investors' financial expectations.
November 13, 2017
This is partly my fault for not reading the description close enough, partially the writer's fault for such a narrow theme. There are some great ideas in this book but it's specifically written for someone who WANTS to start a business, has an idea, and needs some ideas for how to get started. For anyone who has already started businesses, this book sounds like common sense with a little too much storytelling. If you're a fan of Sheryl, you'll enjoy reading about her journey, if you don't know who she is, you might feel a bit lost by the endless names of companies she was apart of.
January 2, 2018
A very smart, nuanced look at the journey of an entrepreneur it, and with a lot of heart.
May 15, 2018
Audio. I really appreciated Ms. O’Loughlin’s honest insight into the entrepreneurial adventure, from startup forward.
July 11, 2018
Perfect for business and life
August 7, 2018
good tips on trying to keep your way when carving a new course
April 25, 2020
Really enjoyed this book, especially written from a perspective of a female entrepreneur. It was very real, practical and sensitive. Will definitely re-read. Thank you!
January 20, 2024
Very insightful! This should be a best seller!
March 5, 2024
I enjoyed O'Loughlin's story and perspective as an entrepreneur and female executive. She's willing to be tough but also vulnerable in what she shares here and that made the book more valuable.
February 20, 2025
The greatest book on merging business with personal affairs I’ve ever read.
Inspiring feels like an understatement. This is a foundational text to my personal philosophy
Inspiring feels like an understatement. This is a foundational text to my personal philosophy
Read
June 12, 2025Seems like common sense to me
December 23, 2016
It's been three years this month since I launched my business and it has been full speed ahead since then. In Killing It, the author states the fact (taken from Deborah Gage's The Venture Capital Secret: 3 out of 4 Start-Ups Fail) that 95% of startups fail. Yeah...that's because being an entrepreneur is HARD work, requiring skills in many areas.
So when I read the full title of Killing It, I knew I wanted to read it. And I like what Sheryl had to say right from the very beginning. She addresses that being an entrepreneur is a calling, driven by passion, and because of this a lot of entrepreneurs get driven to the ground. Their health and relationships can suffer. So she tackles topics that business books don't. She helps you navigate the waters of launching and keeping a business when you have a significant other in your life as well as children.
It made me understand that a lot of my success was the unwavering support of my husband, his timely advice when I was stumped with a problem or racking my brain on how to handle a situation. Thinking back, he's been my faithful adviser and the voice of reason when I was too emotionally invested.
This year has been tough on my health. Anyone who knows me knows I am dedicated, driven and determined to establish a good business model with excellent customer service at its core. I've succeeded, but the time and the energy has also drained me. Sheryl knows what that's like, she gets it. And for this reason, as I was reading this book, I felt that she was my guide and a wake up call to take better care of myself so that I can continue to be successful without killing myself. I need to start investing in my well-being. It's a learning curve, that's for sure.
Sheryl's business experience, her woman's perspective and the many anecdotes she includes in this book are strong points for me. This book is far from dry or boring. Sheryl is honest and forthright, using examples of her own past mistakes, fears and insecurities. This resulted in my feeling reassured that I'm not alone in feeling this way, in having self-doubts or berating myself when I feel I messed up.
Killing It is one of those books that you should read if you are thinking of launching a business and then once again after you've launched the business and every year after that. Why? Because her advice will make sense during the different phases of your business' growth. And isn't that book cover clever? It looks like a post-it note, drawing one's eye to it. Simple and effective. I highly recommend this book for entrepreneurs and artists.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy. I have chosen to read and post an honest review of it here.
So when I read the full title of Killing It, I knew I wanted to read it. And I like what Sheryl had to say right from the very beginning. She addresses that being an entrepreneur is a calling, driven by passion, and because of this a lot of entrepreneurs get driven to the ground. Their health and relationships can suffer. So she tackles topics that business books don't. She helps you navigate the waters of launching and keeping a business when you have a significant other in your life as well as children.
It made me understand that a lot of my success was the unwavering support of my husband, his timely advice when I was stumped with a problem or racking my brain on how to handle a situation. Thinking back, he's been my faithful adviser and the voice of reason when I was too emotionally invested.
This year has been tough on my health. Anyone who knows me knows I am dedicated, driven and determined to establish a good business model with excellent customer service at its core. I've succeeded, but the time and the energy has also drained me. Sheryl knows what that's like, she gets it. And for this reason, as I was reading this book, I felt that she was my guide and a wake up call to take better care of myself so that I can continue to be successful without killing myself. I need to start investing in my well-being. It's a learning curve, that's for sure.
Sheryl's business experience, her woman's perspective and the many anecdotes she includes in this book are strong points for me. This book is far from dry or boring. Sheryl is honest and forthright, using examples of her own past mistakes, fears and insecurities. This resulted in my feeling reassured that I'm not alone in feeling this way, in having self-doubts or berating myself when I feel I messed up.
Killing It is one of those books that you should read if you are thinking of launching a business and then once again after you've launched the business and every year after that. Why? Because her advice will make sense during the different phases of your business' growth. And isn't that book cover clever? It looks like a post-it note, drawing one's eye to it. Simple and effective. I highly recommend this book for entrepreneurs and artists.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy. I have chosen to read and post an honest review of it here.
January 2, 2017
An honest account of a serial entrepreneur's lessons learned. Loved the REBBL tie-in and others. I liked the emphasis on applying heart, including social / environmental impact and meaning. And the gender experiences were key for men and women alike. Great for entrepreneurs who don't want to make all the same mistakes!
February 22, 2017
I received this book free from Goodreads Giveaways. I really enjoyed reading this book as a small business owner and entrepreneur. I liked that the book was geared toward more than just CEOs and boardrooms. I felt that there was a lot I could take away and learn from. I would highly recommend to any business owner or entrepreneur, new or experienced, there is something to be gained for everyone.
Want to read
October 19, 2017I think Otis and I were interviewed for this book! We should probably read it :)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews