What do you think?
Rate this book
Lucky or Smart?: Secrets to an Entrepreneurial Life
At twenty-seven, Bo Peabody was an Internet multi-millionaire. In the heady days of the late 1990s, though, when every cool kid had an IPO, that wasn’t very remarkable. What is remarkable is that he’s even more successful today. He has co-founded five different companies, in varied industries, and made them thrive during the best and worst of economic times. Through it all, the one question everyone asks is: Was it his smarts that made him an entrepreneurial leader, or was it just plain luck? The truth is, Bo was smart enough to know when he was getting lucky. And he wants you to have the same advantage.
With proven methods for success and a witty, conversational voice, Bo takes the reader through the lessons his experiences as an entrepreneur have taught him. At the heart of Bo’s manifesto is a mantra that everyone, whether working for a multinational corporation or a solo start-up, should heed: If you want your business to be successful, make sure your work is fundamentally innovative, morally compelling, and philosophically positive.
Lucky or Smart? will teach you how to put yourself in a position to get lucky, create the right situations for success, and take advantage of every opportunity. It is the first truly authentic guide to an entrepreneurial life, a must read for anyone looking for his or her own road to fulfillment.
With proven methods for success and a witty, conversational voice, Bo takes the reader through the lessons his experiences as an entrepreneur have taught him. At the heart of Bo’s manifesto is a mantra that everyone, whether working for a multinational corporation or a solo start-up, should heed: If you want your business to be successful, make sure your work is fundamentally innovative, morally compelling, and philosophically positive.
Lucky or Smart? will teach you how to put yourself in a position to get lucky, create the right situations for success, and take advantage of every opportunity. It is the first truly authentic guide to an entrepreneurial life, a must read for anyone looking for his or her own road to fulfillment.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published December 28, 2004
35 people are currently reading
1949 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 11, 2009
Even though I am not a first time entrepreneur, I decided to pick up this little book as I am interested in starting up yet another business.
Fairly interesting, definitely easy to read.
His answer to the title question is: "I was smart enough to realize I was getting lucky." He talks a lot about the differences between entrepreneurs and managers. He says that entrepreneurs want results immediately, while managers are happy to wait. Entrepreneurs understand everything about nothing and a little bit about a lot of things. They tend to get bored quickly with any one task. That definitely describes me!
"Train yourself not to shut down when you hear the word "no." That is in fact just the time to really start fighting." "Always be gracious." I have a hard time with that one, I can get sarcastic when angered and do things that are definitely NOT in my best interests!
"Entrepreneurs are born. not made." Hmmmm, I think I was born this way, I can remember thinking like this as a child. I am not so sure that I totally agree with this as a blanket statement however!
Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to explore their entrepreneurism!
Fairly interesting, definitely easy to read.
His answer to the title question is: "I was smart enough to realize I was getting lucky." He talks a lot about the differences between entrepreneurs and managers. He says that entrepreneurs want results immediately, while managers are happy to wait. Entrepreneurs understand everything about nothing and a little bit about a lot of things. They tend to get bored quickly with any one task. That definitely describes me!
"Train yourself not to shut down when you hear the word "no." That is in fact just the time to really start fighting." "Always be gracious." I have a hard time with that one, I can get sarcastic when angered and do things that are definitely NOT in my best interests!
"Entrepreneurs are born. not made." Hmmmm, I think I was born this way, I can remember thinking like this as a child. I am not so sure that I totally agree with this as a blanket statement however!
Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to explore their entrepreneurism!
July 27, 2011
Very quick read (58 pages total) and very simple concepts, such as the author's belief in starting "fundamentally innovative, morally compelling and philosophically positive companies," that "B-students" start companies and "A-students" are hired to manage those companies, and that is important to understand "the difference between being lucky and being smart."
While I appreciate the candor and simplicity of the book, and stories of the author's successes are mostly entertaining, it's a bit too falsely modest and self-congratulatory at some points (e.g., the author relates a story where he had started to answer a question that he didn't know the answer to, but then his partner stops him and says, "We don't know," and then the author uses that as an example of his own ability to admit when he doesn't know the answer to a question). And, as the author points out himself in the concluding chapter, what worked for him might not work for others.
Still, he's a millionaire and a published author, and I'm not, so there's that.
While I appreciate the candor and simplicity of the book, and stories of the author's successes are mostly entertaining, it's a bit too falsely modest and self-congratulatory at some points (e.g., the author relates a story where he had started to answer a question that he didn't know the answer to, but then his partner stops him and says, "We don't know," and then the author uses that as an example of his own ability to admit when he doesn't know the answer to a question). And, as the author points out himself in the concluding chapter, what worked for him might not work for others.
Still, he's a millionaire and a published author, and I'm not, so there's that.
January 6, 2013
"Start a company that is fundamentally innovative, morally compelling, and philosophically positive." Bo shares this and other interesting tidbits in this quick read. He has several insightful takeaways from his "smart enough to know he was lucky" days as an entrepreneur. Some great tips, although I'd take with a grain of salt about entrepreneurs being "born" and not raised...I think there's a TED Talk arguing the latter...
May 7, 2007
Yay B students.
Boo A students.
Boo A students.
January 18, 2018
my only takeaway from this book was that as an entrepreneur you are a B student or B player. Good at many things. Jack of master trades, master at none. However you will need to hire A players, those who are specialized in certain areas that you need and can help you grow.
March 27, 2024
Inspiring!
October 22, 2012
I would call it a booklet rather than a book. If you are on a short haul flight or car ride - slip it into your coat pocket and you will be done during the journey a couple of times over. No jokes! The book is small and entertaining. It has harsh truths put too bluntly. Its been a book, i pick up often and just read a little and put it back into my library. If you are entrepreneurial you will love it. Here is a slightly longer review: http://rajshankar.wordpress.com/2012/...
February 18, 2012
I thought it was going to be simpleton stupid, but it was actually pretty interesting. Bo makes some decent points:
- surround yourself with smart people;
- trust their opinions and leadership;
- B students found companies, A students turn them into successful businesses;
- dont't burn your bridges, pay it forward, you'll never know when.
In the end it helped me see some mistakes I'm making...
- surround yourself with smart people;
- trust their opinions and leadership;
- B students found companies, A students turn them into successful businesses;
- dont't burn your bridges, pay it forward, you'll never know when.
In the end it helped me see some mistakes I'm making...
June 20, 2015
Short but full of ideas about what makes entrepreneurs succeed. It is both brains and luck. And as the author says it is in large part having the brains to figure out that you're lucky so that you know when to walk away.
May 8, 2009
This book was included in my book: The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. www.100bestbiz.com
November 15, 2010
I really enjoyed this book; it was very entertaining. Having worked at one of Bo's companies and eaten at his restaurants it hit home. I only wish it were 250 pages rather than 50
October 30, 2013
It's always good to be smart enough to know when your lucky. The challenge is to know the difference while it is occurring.
October 5, 2016
Good.
He is describing, How B student and A student will behave, Why the 95 Year old lady applied divorce after 75 years. What Good to Great says to entrepreneurs.
He is describing, How B student and A student will behave, Why the 95 Year old lady applied divorce after 75 years. What Good to Great says to entrepreneurs.
March 9, 2023
Other then bo implying he's with 500m I really enjoyed the book.
What my 👂 heard below
I was smart enough to realize I was getting lucky
Entrepreneurs are b students managers are a students
I do nothing but I do it well
There's nothing I do well but many things I do well enough
To this day you're very you're a very good friend your number three on my all time very odd people list
Curtis Winnie the master of disingenuous dramatics
Products are not bought they're
sold
Take one ear out of your ass and put it on the phone
Remain calm and gracious in all business situations
I'm looking for a transformative business not just a small concept one
What my 👂 heard below
I was smart enough to realize I was getting lucky
Entrepreneurs are b students managers are a students
I do nothing but I do it well
There's nothing I do well but many things I do well enough
To this day you're very you're a very good friend your number three on my all time very odd people list
Curtis Winnie the master of disingenuous dramatics
Products are not bought they're
sold
Take one ear out of your ass and put it on the phone
Remain calm and gracious in all business situations
I'm looking for a transformative business not just a small concept one
August 12, 2018
The only truly valuable review for this book can come from fellow entrepreneurs. I am not one by Peabody's definition. As a non- entrepreneur, I found the book highly entertaining and well structured. It was also concise with little fluff. Great work Bo!
September 25, 2022
It’s obviously a little dated since it was written in the early 2000’s, but, I’d say a lot of what the author says is still applicable today. A good book that reiterates how to properly conduct yourself when starting a business.
October 20, 2017
solid, quick read
February 26, 2018
Bueno
Un libro muy básico,muy pero muy básico,prefiero otro tipo de libro como technology venturas o steve blanck,no obstante como lectura está bien
Un libro muy básico,muy pero muy básico,prefiero otro tipo de libro como technology venturas o steve blanck,no obstante como lectura está bien
March 5, 2018
Well-balanced book on entrepreneurship.
April 22, 2018
A quick, light read that has a couple of useful notes. Reign in your ego, don't believe your own press and recognize when you have just plain been lucky.
September 20, 2018
Now I know, among other things, to ask of all the other books on my biz reading list whether the book is for entrepreneurs or for managers. Neat.
February 17, 2019
A short little book with some inspiring thoughts on being smart enough to know when you're being lucky.
April 15, 2020
Not bad, but enough for that not to matter too much.
July 24, 2020
Quick read book. Awesome and worth reading... You'll find what mistakes are you making.
July 26, 2020
作者是Tripod（知名免費網頁提供者）的創辦人，也是在網路泡沫化之前便獲利了結的受益者。這本書講述了一些他個人創業的一些類似通則的心得，不可諱言帶有其個人體驗的主觀認定，並不見得適合各種行業。至於他是幸運還是聰明，說實在的我是覺得幸運多一些，但也有人說運氣是實力的一部份，不是嗎？
January 25, 2024
well dang
September 27, 2025
3.5 - good stuff, short and sweet. You are always working for someone, managers vs entrepreneurs, A students are managers, B students are entrepreneurs.
April 14, 2025
Success is a mix of preparation, humility, timing, and recognizing opportunities.
February 22, 2017
While I am very interested in the concept that much business success is tied to luck, I found the book somewhat scattered and lacking rigor. In the end, though, the author brought it back to the importance not of being lucky but of being aware of such luck when success in business happens.
October 5, 2013
This books asks the entrepreneur to focus on few core skills like attracting and keeping the best minds to work for you for low salary. Because you are a start up company, the author encourages the reader to acquire the needed funding by repeatedly calling the angel investors or loan sharks even while you hear the word "NO".
These are his following statements:
• Make the world a better place.
• Increase the quality of life.
• Right a terrible wrong.
• Prevent the end of something good.
• Can you work long hours at low wages?
• Can you deal with rejection after rejection?
• Can you handle the responsibility of dozens of employees?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My take on this book:
It is a decent book, but the author misses on very important topics like ...............
New or rapidly developing industries, whether glamorous or not, very often
provide more opportunities to get rich than established sectors. The three reasons for
this are availability of risk capital, ignorance and the power of a rising tide.
The author does not mention any of the above practical steps.
Luck is the most important in life from my opinion.
The filthy rich are not gods. They are men and women who put on their
underwear in the morning pretty much as we do. It is true that they were in the right
place at the right time and did the right thing. The difference is that in some way they
placed themselves in fate’ s way, then grasped her by the forelock as she sprinted
past. (‘ Lady Luck is bald behind’ , says the old proverb.)
These are his following statements:
• Make the world a better place.
• Increase the quality of life.
• Right a terrible wrong.
• Prevent the end of something good.
• Can you work long hours at low wages?
• Can you deal with rejection after rejection?
• Can you handle the responsibility of dozens of employees?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My take on this book:
It is a decent book, but the author misses on very important topics like ...............
New or rapidly developing industries, whether glamorous or not, very often
provide more opportunities to get rich than established sectors. The three reasons for
this are availability of risk capital, ignorance and the power of a rising tide.
The author does not mention any of the above practical steps.
Luck is the most important in life from my opinion.
The filthy rich are not gods. They are men and women who put on their
underwear in the morning pretty much as we do. It is true that they were in the right
place at the right time and did the right thing. The difference is that in some way they
placed themselves in fate’ s way, then grasped her by the forelock as she sprinted
past. (‘ Lady Luck is bald behind’ , says the old proverb.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews