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Black Founder: The Hidden Power of Being an Outsider
An empowering, inspiring, instructive, and essential blueprint for success from the award-winning entrepreneur who USA Today named one of the 21 most influential Blacks in technology and is the co-founder and former CEO of the nation’s first mobile theatrical subscription company, MoviePass, and founder of the Urbanworld Film Festival. Bracingly honest, as well as entertaining, this inspiring business memoir includes outrageous anecdotes featuring the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Eddie Murphy.
From the award-winning entrepreneur USA Today named one of the 21 most influential Blacks in technology comes an empowering, bracingly honest, entertaining blueprint for success in life and work—including the true story of what really happened to MoviePass, the nation’s groundbreaking first-ever theatrical subscription service—straight from the co-founder and former CEO himself…
Stacy Spikes knows what’s it like to be an outsider. He certainly knew he didn’t fit the mold of a successful future tech entrepreneur. But he marshaled his resilience and ultimately set out to shatter that mold—along with the glass ceiling that came with it. Finding his footing in the tech world was an education in the complexities of being an outsider—but as Stacy came to see, rather than a hindrance, it afforded him a unique position of power.
Beginning as a film studio gopher, Spikes quickly rose through the industry ranks, being named one of the Hollywood Reporter’s 30 Under 30. Still, he was an outsider looking in. So he set out to make his own dreams a reality. Defying expectations, Spikes effectively disrupted the status quo and reinvented himself from junior executive to CEO Tech Founder. What ensued was an escalating adventure with bigger stages, bigger risks, and a roller-coaster ride of exhilarating ascent—unpredictable collapse—and a story book return.
Now Spikes shares his challenges, pitfalls, and keys to personal and professional fulfillment. He shows how the seemingly impossible can be overcome by having faith in oneself and creating from a place of confidence. Taking readers inside the battles of the boardroom and beyond, Black Founder is a business memoir that will inspire every outsider who has a dream.
From the award-winning entrepreneur USA Today named one of the 21 most influential Blacks in technology comes an empowering, bracingly honest, entertaining blueprint for success in life and work—including the true story of what really happened to MoviePass, the nation’s groundbreaking first-ever theatrical subscription service—straight from the co-founder and former CEO himself…
Stacy Spikes knows what’s it like to be an outsider. He certainly knew he didn’t fit the mold of a successful future tech entrepreneur. But he marshaled his resilience and ultimately set out to shatter that mold—along with the glass ceiling that came with it. Finding his footing in the tech world was an education in the complexities of being an outsider—but as Stacy came to see, rather than a hindrance, it afforded him a unique position of power.
Beginning as a film studio gopher, Spikes quickly rose through the industry ranks, being named one of the Hollywood Reporter’s 30 Under 30. Still, he was an outsider looking in. So he set out to make his own dreams a reality. Defying expectations, Spikes effectively disrupted the status quo and reinvented himself from junior executive to CEO Tech Founder. What ensued was an escalating adventure with bigger stages, bigger risks, and a roller-coaster ride of exhilarating ascent—unpredictable collapse—and a story book return.
Now Spikes shares his challenges, pitfalls, and keys to personal and professional fulfillment. He shows how the seemingly impossible can be overcome by having faith in oneself and creating from a place of confidence. Taking readers inside the battles of the boardroom and beyond, Black Founder is a business memoir that will inspire every outsider who has a dream.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2023
15 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 22, 2023
Black Founder (MoviePass)
As a former movie pass subscriber, I was I intrigued why such a great product was discontinued. I was glad to learn about the journey and how tenacity and faith made it possible to bring back Movie Pass alive again. This book is an inspiration for all entrepreneurs out there. I felt the sincerity and the heart breaks of Mr. Spikes every time he try a new endeavor. I pray and wish this time around for a huge success and can not wait to see what happens next.
As a former movie pass subscriber, I was I intrigued why such a great product was discontinued. I was glad to learn about the journey and how tenacity and faith made it possible to bring back Movie Pass alive again. This book is an inspiration for all entrepreneurs out there. I felt the sincerity and the heart breaks of Mr. Spikes every time he try a new endeavor. I pray and wish this time around for a huge success and can not wait to see what happens next.
March 9, 2024
Good guys finish first
I can't wait until this documentary come it. Spikes is a great story teller who told a perfunctory but gripping story of his rise to fame. I will be joining MoviePass this time Joy
I can't wait until this documentary come it. Spikes is a great story teller who told a perfunctory but gripping story of his rise to fame. I will be joining MoviePass this time Joy
February 10, 2025
Enjoyable
This was an easy read. It was interesting to hear about being at the top of your game at a young age in a competitive industry. His ability to connect and impress was a lesson in how to succeed in business.
This was an easy read. It was interesting to hear about being at the top of your game at a young age in a competitive industry. His ability to connect and impress was a lesson in how to succeed in business.
October 28, 2024
Talk about an interesting and engaging story!
Stacy Spikes’ book is one of the most transforming that I’ve read this year. It was witty, funny, and enlightening. His journey from moving to LA up until he launched movie pass is a movie in and of itself.
I loved every page of this book and it gave me a jolt for the things I’m pursuing as a fellow entrepreneur.
The book is an easy read and is a blueprint for achieving success and the hard work and effort it takes to get there.
When you get knocked down, get back up and continue what you are after.
A motivating/enjoyable read.
Thanks for making such a work of art Stacy.
Stacy Spikes’ book is one of the most transforming that I’ve read this year. It was witty, funny, and enlightening. His journey from moving to LA up until he launched movie pass is a movie in and of itself.
I loved every page of this book and it gave me a jolt for the things I’m pursuing as a fellow entrepreneur.
The book is an easy read and is a blueprint for achieving success and the hard work and effort it takes to get there.
When you get knocked down, get back up and continue what you are after.
A motivating/enjoyable read.
Thanks for making such a work of art Stacy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews