Finding the Way: The Entrepreneur's Tale

by Cap Treeger

Wall Street Journal Bestseller

A tale of mentorship, hard truths, and the path to success

In this fictional account of an entrepreneur's rollercoaster ride to the top, Cap Treeger crafts a series of dynamic, well-drawn lessons for anyone that wants to start or build a business. The hero of the story, Ren, is fired up with ambition and has a strategic dream in place to build his own startup from the ground up, but he has a lot to learn about how this particular sector of the business world works. Fortunately, Ren has the guidance of generous and invested mentors, and their sound recommendations and warnings are chronicled as Ren makes decision after decision. With their advice, as well as his own encounters with trial and error, he discovers that who he chooses to employ and partner with, and how he engages with them, makes all the difference.

Ren's journey guides readers through numerous factors necessary for success, including building a solid team with strategic placement of individuals in carefully selected roles appropriate to their skill sets and crafting the all-important business model. Ren navigates the daunting process with grace and hands readers an account loaded with insight-rendering Finding the Way, told in a straightforward and reader-friendly manner, a valuable gem amidst business-building literature.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2023

About the author

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Cap Treeger (not his real name) is a serial entrepreneur and investor. He has been involved in various roles in building a number of businesses in multiple industries. The author has invested directly in several dozen early-stage ventures, and indirectly in hundreds more, through his engagement in local angel and venture funds. He enjoys “experience sharing” to pay forward what he has learned from his mentors, as well as his own successes and failures, to hopefully assist others in finding their way.

Reviews

[Dona's Books]

This just isn't for me.

[Lauren Pumpkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ups and downs. Every journey has them. This book captures the cycles of triumph, setback, and practical advice. Loved how it breaks down into so many individual chapters.

[Noel Hoxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cap Treeger in Finding the Way, spins a compelling narrative of a young entrepreneur’s journey to business success. Each of the 47 chapters have life and business tips that are practical, useful, and generally very insightful. The exercises at the end of the book, give the reader an opportunity to put into practice what they have learned and I highly recommend to spend as much time on the exercises as you do reading the book. It has truly inspired me to look at entrepreneurship in a new light. If you are interested in entrepreneurship or if you know of anyone around the entrepreneurial world, this book is for you. The narrative leaves you thoroughly entertained while life lessons and business tips provide many insights into the entrepreneurial life!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not interested in starting a business, however I found this book to be very engaging and alluring. I kept finding myself determining different ways to utilize the skills learned. I was intrigued. Nice read.

[Barbara Reiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one enters any problem-solving relationship- two heads or more heads are appreciably better than one. This book illustrates how the principal character learns, grows, and thrives when one enters into a mentorial relationship.

[Carolyn Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful information for entrepreneurs but surprisingly interesting for all readers. I loved it!

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so pleased to win a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I've worked in academic research most of my career, had opportunities to support entrepreneurs launching start-ups from different technologies and with very different outcomes, and I thought this was right in my wheelhouse.

It's a 2.5 for me, generously rounded up. Even though it isn't a terribly long book, I feel like I've been reading it forever. Here's why:

This shouldn't have been written as fiction.

If it must be written as fiction - I did read the Afterword (and every word) - then partner with a co-writer or editor who can make it good fiction.

We spend the entire book in Ren's head, and that isn't a very interesting place to be. Even the alleged dialog reads as Ren relating his recollection of the conversations. People don't speak this way. The narrative is so unfocused and redundant, it's easy to see why Ren has difficulty developing a business model and writing a business plan. The characters get names, but they are so undefined, they don't really matter. Tiffany is particularly flat. In the last 80 or so pages, David and Ren finally develop a little bit of personality. Had I not committed to provide a review, I would have DNFed this much earlier.

There are some outstanding nuggets in here, not just for business entrepreneurs, but for anyone managing people in any setting. I have little doubt that a sharper set of vignettes would have conveyed these lessons in a compelling way, even in the crowded market of business guides. As written, the narrative is so tortured and the character behavior made so erratic to force the lessons, it's tedious reading.

With some refined storytelling, the author's idea of imparting business lessons by getting readers to feel like they are living some of the start-up experience might work. Please, whoever you are, if you DO choose to write a sequel, follow your own advice and find a partner with complementary expertise in fiction writing. Or at least an editor who is as brutal as your mentor to get the best out of you.

[Chilsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway winner. I was very happy to have won this book. After reading the description and information about the book I was quite intrigued and have had an interest in entrepreneurial how-to books. In reading this book I have chosen to give it a three. Don’t get me wrong, I would recommend it to anyone interested in this informational subject.

There are many things I liked and a few others I didn’t like. I first wanted to point out that it has shown the ups and downs of life when pursuing something in life. It teaches the importance of having a mentor in entrepreneurship. I also believe it is important in many other adventurous we set out in.

I had a bit of a hard time with it as a fiction book. The conversation where a bit odd. Did seems to flow like a conversation normally would. I think that keeping in mind that it’s the story of the ups and downs with the turns being remembered by one person. And I can hardly remember a conversation I had last week.

So, go and read it. The joy of books is everyone has their own adventure reading each one. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

[Man Ha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Building a business with a business plan is an initial step, but planning to solve the upcoming challenge is the next level. Problems are continuous, and they will never stop. However, entrepreneurs will do research and collect brutal feedback constantly to stay competitive. Formulating the right team with a suitable business model after all the feedback is the final step. Saying is easy, but doing it is very challenging.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept but…

I really liked the concept of this book and how it can be good for everyone in terms of taking knowledge from people with experience and the hard work you need to put into everything you do. But I kept getting lost in the conversations and found myself reading multiple pages before realizing I had no idea what I had just read.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Finding the Way provides practical insights and strategies that are easy to understand and apply in real-world situations. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills and approach to business challenges.

[Trisha Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of the book was different/interesting but sometimes the writing was a bit tedious to get through.

[Chris Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story that shows realistic entrepreneurial journey

[Asa Bondeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

crazy book

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m excited to say that this was the first book I read in the new year. There is so much helpful and practical advice that is presented. Thank you Cap!