Build the Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business If You're Not a Rich White Guy

by Kathryn Finney

The Wall Street Journal Bestseller featured in Bloomberg, Fast Company, Masters of Scale, the Motley Fool, Marketplace and more .

An indispensable guide to building a startup and breaking down the barriers for diverse entrepreneurs from the visionary venture capitalist and pioneering entrepreneur Kathryn Finney.

Build the Damn Thing is a hard-won, battle-tested guide for every entrepreneur who the establishment has left out. Finney, an investor and startup champion, explains how to build a business from the ground up, from developing a business plan to finding investors, growing a team, and refining a product. Finney empowers entrepreneurs to take advantage of their unique networks and resources; arms readers with responses to investors who say, “great pitch but I just don’t do Black women”; and inspires them to overcome naysayers while remaining “100% That B*tch.”

Don’t wait for the system to let you in—break down the door and build your damn thing. For all the Builders striving to build their businesses in a world that has overlooked and underestimated this is the essential guide to knowing, breaking, remaking and building your own rules of entrepreneurship in a startup and investing world designed for and by the “Entitleds.”

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Self Help

272 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

Tech pioneer and investor Kathryn Finney is the founder and CEO of Genius Guild, a venture capital fund and studio. As the founder of social enterprise digitalundivided and its groundbreaking ProjectDiane report, Kathryn has invested in dozens of startups and venture funds led by founders and investors of color. Kathryn started digitalundivided after selling her company The Budget Fashionista, and she was one of the first Black women to have a successful seven-figure internet startup exit. A Yale-trained epidemiologist, she has been recognized for her pivotal work by the Aspen Institute, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Marie Claire, EBONY, Inc., Black Enterprise, and more

Reviews

[Shannon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the D**m book…. Even if like myself you are the rich(kinda) white guy. This is a fantastic book on how to build a startup (in any field) especially if you aren’t a rich white guy.

I’m a white guy in tech who has been a founder and who has worked with countless startups in a wide array of positions and roles. I still, even after decades in tech, learned many useful lessons from this book. Some serving as reminders of facts known but all to often forgotten or ignored.

Building a business of any scale is hard and often thankless. And while there are many more opportunities today than in many previous decades for innovative businesses there are also many traps along the way to success.

[Deb Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!!! I have to re-listen to this audiobook five more times. That’s how amazing it is; real, strategic,
Informative, and encouraging. It provides hope to become a successful business owner! It’s the best business book I’ve ever read and plan to re-read follow the steps laid out.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was refreshed to see someone not white and not male writing a book on business. It does break down some concepts.
However, I feel like lot of the advice was a little redundant and It had more self development/leadership aspects than I care for. If that makes any sense.

[LaQuetta Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Build the Damn Thing by Kathryn Kinney is a keeper.

Finney, an investor and startup champion, provides the insight and expertise needed to build a business from the ground up. She discusses the intimate details ranging from developing a business plan to finding investors, growing a team, and refining a product.

She gives the advice on the good, the bad, and the ugly as she empowers entrepreneurs. She advises and reminds entrepreneurs at all stages to to take advantage of their unique networks and resources. One of the best things about the books is the direct advice and insight for black people and people of color, especially for investors who say “they just don’t do black women/people/etc.”

Excellent book. Highly recommend. This book should be on the shelves of entrepreneurs everywhere as a business strategy reference guide.

[Rachel Cottam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great primer on how to build a startup—and I loved the perspective of the black female founder. She reinforces that you don’t need the fancy degree or venture capitalists to be a builder, while still acknowledging the real barriers that exist for underrepresented founders.

A few notes:
* Smart successful entrepreneurs have no problem prioritizing their mental and physical health
* Get your mind right before launching your business
* Is my idea a problem looking for a solution? Or a solution looking for a problem?
* Builder trap: If your business doesn’t solve a repeatable problem that people are willing to pay for—that’s not an idea, that’s a hobby
* As a leader, find joy in your work so you’re enjoyable to be around

[Naya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book as soon as it became available!!!

It feels like a hybrid of a mini MBA and a coaching session from a seasoned entrepreneur friend. It covers ALL aspects of what it takes to build and business.

I loved hearing a bit about Kathryn's technical and family background and her real-life entrepreneurial experience.

Most advice about building a business is meant for an audience that doesn't look like us or may not have the experiences and obstacles as people of color. This book is a must-read for people of color seeking to build a business or startup and are seeking realistic advice.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important and necessary book, and it was very refreshing to read a business book written by someone who is neither white nor male. I found the footnotes a bit annoying in the audio version, but I understand the formatting is probably different in the physical book. Also, I understand the author was trying to make things accessible to people who aren't as familiar with the startup/business world, but defining some of the simplest concepts (elevator pitch, for example) felt condescending? Idk maybe I'm being unfair if I'm not the target audience. It was a decent book but not very memorable or essential for me personally.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea why this was in my tbr bookshelf. But i enjoyed the title, so i decided to read it.
The read is easy and enjoyable, the information fantastic. I'm not starting a business, i'm not a rich white man, nor a black woman, but there are so many amazing tidbit that can be used in so many portions of you life.
I have friend of color that is starting a non profit - again not everything here will help her, but i love step 1 of your personal foundation. That is vital no matter what you are doing and the final step of mental health and taking care of you as the spoke of your business/situation.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did receive some good tips from this book, enough that I will listen to it a second time. The challenge for me personally was the nonstop highlighting of “entitleds” versus black women. I’m neither entitled nor black and had to repeatedly overlook the sense of assumption that I am entitled since I am not black nor an immigrant to my home country.

I understand why there was such emphasis here, but I had to overcome the sense of “falling through the cracks”. Still there was value in the details worth revisiting. And I will.

[Courtney Sieloff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The high-level motivation and smart approach that all of us not rich white guys need. Even just the writing itself is refreshing after reading all the (I joke that I'm getting my MBA via Amazon) "Just DO It! As I said in chapter 4, this book could have been a medium post" books. Kathryn Finney is an inspiration and invites us into what can seem confusing, even when we have been running businesses for years.

[Divyesh Sheth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book from a black woman entrepreneur on how to go about starting your own business and the obstacle you will face along the way and ways to overcome them. She has very practical advise and how to standout to VCs, investors and other relevant players when their biases are working against you. A must read for a budding business person who does not fit the stereotype of a startup founder.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and packed with great information. Love the writing style as well - felt like talking to a friend/mentor. Definitely recommend for anyone (who is not a rich white guy) considering starting their own business!

[Melvin G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book! The style of writing was very conversational and engaging, the information provided was actionable information vs theoretical information, and Mrs. Finney provided extra sources of information to expand upon what she shared in her book.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're only going to read one book about starting a business, this wouldn't be a bad book to pick up. It's clear, concise, and lays out the various steps on what to do (and gives some examples of what not to do) and it does touch on issues you might encounter if you're not a rich white guy.

[B]

Picked up because I am interested in learning more from BIPOC business owners as I consider my personal goals for life. Not for me as I do not actually consider myself a capitalist and this book seems to be of the "Black Capitalism will save us" school of thought.

[Shruti Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the insights Kathryn shared in the book. I especially loved the mindset piece of things which empowers people like me, brown women entrepreneurs who want to make a mark in the industry. I feel motivated and ready to take action!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good information and advice.

[Alanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for everyone. I really appreciate Kathryn’s approach and how she shares her insights, guidance, and experiences — all of which is incredibly helpful.

[Joy Donley]

Didn't actually finish the entire thing, but it's a great no-nonsense business book. I'll be checking it out again in the future, I'm sure.

[Sophie Albini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note to self: re-read this when I’m ready to start a business.

[Katherine Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well-written book on getting out there and taking risks.

[Ashley Berkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic realistic guide for building while being a person of color and having unique perspectives

[Maria Kahale · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid book! definitely gives its perspective of running a startup from a female Black american. Interesting perspective, and solid advice.