[Note from Caleb: Next week's episode of The Cubicle Renegade Podcast is with Chris Guillebeau. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes if you haven't already.]
Throughout life you have moments that shape your future more than any others. Bumping into your wife-to-be for the first time at a party, risking your hard-earned money to start your own business, or coming up with the perfect idea for a children’s book about a boy wizard with a lightningbolt scar on his forehead.
In the same fashion, there are people in your life that change your world more than they could ever know. I’m not talking about spouses, family members, or politicians though. I’m talking about people that are major influencers of the world-at-large.
They have hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people that read what they write and share online. They create content that resonates with you all week, products that completely change the way you work, and their followers are some of the coolest people you’ve ever met.
Chris Guillebeau is that person for me. He influenced the biggest change in my life so far: leaving my comfortable desk job to be an entrepreneur.
Before we jump into that though, let’s go back to the beginning (and by this I mean before the existance of Pocket Changed).
In the beginning…
You see, when I started diving into this whole “blogging” thing towards the end of 2010 it was because I had been reading a bunch of books and blogs about how you could “make money on the Internet” and quit your job. I was as skeptical as the next person, but as I started studying what Chris was doing at the Art of Non-Conformity with his Unconventional Guides store I saw how he was helping people create businesses around things that actually matter.
I quickly realized that blogging wasn’t about making a quick buck or scamming people into buying your overpriced eBook. It was about building a relationship of trust with thousands of people, one person at a time. (More on that in a bit.)
I found out that Chris was releasing his first book that fall and I rush ordered it so I could read it while I traveled for Thanksgiving. I practically finished it in a few hours of airport and airplane reading.
After devouring his book, I couldn’t wait to attend his book tour when he came to Seattle a couple weeks later. But, there was one catch: I didn’t even have a blog.
Over the next two weeks I spent most of my freetime trying to think of the perfect name and topic for a blog with my wife. (Fact: I almost went with LogicWithWojcik.com.) On 12/10/2010 I purchased PocketChanged.com and 4 days later I headed to Chris’s stop in Seattle with a URL to share with him and others in attendance.
At the event I not only met Chris, but other incredibly interesting people that I stay in touch with to date too. No, there was nothing on my blog at that point (okay, there was the cheesy “coming soon” post), but it was a huge first step.
That single event was the catalyst for the launch of this site, which eventually led to me connect with Corbett Barr, who I first met in person at Chris’s World Domination Summit, and who gave me the opportunity to leave my desk job behind to go work with him at Think Traffic and now Expert Enough. Because of this new position my wife and I then had the freedom to leave Seattle, road trip all over the United States for three months, and move to San Diego to start her southern California wedding & portrait photography studio.
That is impact.
Care More
But back to how important it is to care about every single person you come into contact with, online or off. Here is how much Chris cares about every single one of the people he comes in contact with.
During my lunch break at work the day after his book tour stop in Seattle I emailed Chris through the contact form on his website to thank him for the event and to say I enjoyed the book.
28 minutes later I got a response.
I have gotten similarly quick responses when I thanked him for quoting my “Why You Need to Go to The World Domination Summit” recap in both an email to all the conference attendees and a blog essay shortly thereafter plus when I reached out to him for an interview for the podcast I just started. (Despite the fact there there was only one episode live at the time.)
How many people do you think email or message Chris everyday? Hundreds?
Yet, here he is responding to every single one of them. The single most important aspect for building a strong following online is to care about every one of your readers. Pat Flynn does this really well too.
I guess the point of this is simply to say, “Thank you Chris Guillebeau. Without your initial and continued inspiration I would probably still be working a job that I dread.”
The $100 Startup Review
As I see it, there are two main ways to start a business. Get funding or bootstrap it. Chris Guillebeau’s latest book, The $100 Startup, focuses on the latter.
The book just came out yesterday, but I was able to receive an advance copy of it and spent the last week digesting it.
If you looking to or are in the process of starting your own business, this book is perfect read for you. In it, Chris describes the most important things you should be focusing on when you are working to get your business off the ground.
He profiles over 50 different microbusiness (small in employees, not revenue) that are growing profitable unconventional businesses and what you can learn from them.
Businesses do cost money to get going, but they don’t really have to be that expensive to start. $100 or $1,000 may be all you need to get started. This book will walk you through your first profitable idea and help you determine whether or not it has the potential for success.
This book is perfect for anyone trying to build a lifestyle business.
Consider this book #21 of the “20 Must-Read Books: The Cubicle Renegade’s Essential Library“. Pick it up here.
Interview with Chris Guillebeau Next Week
On Tuesday I’ll be publishing the next episode of The Cubicle Renegade podcast and it will feature a special interview with Chris Guillebeau. In it we talk about his new book, The $100 Startup, and what it takes to be an entrepreneur in today’s economy. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to automatically download the podcast when it goes live.
If you are interested in checking out his new book, The $100 Startup, I highly recommend it. I just finished reading it last weekend and am now going through it a second time with a notebook at the ready. 
***
If you’ve been following Chris Guillebeau for a while, how has he influenced what you are doing with your life? I’d love to hear in the comments below this post.
(Top Photo of Chris is from Chookooloonks)
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Chris has really gotten me to realize what’s possible when it comes to starting a business like the ones he details in The $100 Startup. I was totally new to this concept until I stumbled on to Chris’ blog in fall of 2010.
Since then, my life has taken a path similar to yours, Caleb. I’m quitting my job 2 weeks from today, and I’m already well on my way to building my own business. I owe a lot of where I am today to Chris.
I feel the same way. While I think I would have eventually found other people that inspired me to make the big changes, he was the first.
I’m on my way to becoming a cubicle renegade. I still work for a Fortune 500 corporation in marketing communications. On the side, I’ve started my own business. I’m working on growing the business to a point where I can comfortably walk away from the cube and focus on the business. With a mortgage and young family, the stakes are high, but I won’t give up.
Chris, along with others (Gary Vaynerchuck, Jonathan Fields, Pamela Slim, Caleb Wojcik
etc…) have provided a tremendous amount of guidance and inspiration for me. It’s tough swimming against the tide when you’re trying to start your own business. One of the biggest blockades is lack of support from friends and family. I shouldn’t say that my friends and family don’t support me… they’re just not good at hiding the fact that they are very skeptical about what I’m doing.
So folks like Chris keep my sanity in check and remind me that I’m not really nuts and that it’s totally possible to start a micro business and live the life I want to live… The life that I know is possible to live.
I plan on picking up a copy of the $100 Startup today and I can’t wait to read it.
I can already tell you have the right mindset Kevin. Believing in yourself when others hesitate is one of the hardest parts.
I hadn’t heard of Chris or his book until a few weeks ago, but once I did I was immediately inspired. I ordered the book and can’t wait to get it within the next few days. His story and his work is very motivating to me, so I can see how he would have a good impact on you as well. Great story!
I subscribe to your podcast, and can’t wait to listen to the interview
I hope you enjoyed the book and interview Carrie. Thanks for the kind words.
I didn´t know about Chris before this post. I’m totally looking forward to the next episode of your podcast (I just subscribed!
)
Thank you for your really nice post.
It is as you say. One day, you meet someone (in person, via his products…) that opens your eyes to a new reality. Who expresses in words, connected, ideas that were dispersed within your subconscious mind.
In my case, MJ harshly kicked my butt in his book The Millionaire Fastlane, not before I found Pat Flynn’s blog about building a passive income. Really, Pat was the white rabbit.
If you haven’t heard of Chris until now I would dive into the archives on his website and read his two books. He has been a huge inspiration for me to live an “unconventional life”. He fits a different role than Pat or MJ, but a great and needed one.
I share your enthusiasm for Chris’s work! I’ve been reading his blog for several years and he’s kept me motivated when challenges arise with self employment. (I’ve been running my own show for 5 years and sometimes the “good old days” of the automatic paycheck from the Man are appealing). But great examples like Chris make sure we keep our eye on the ball. I’ll be attending the World Domination Summit for the first time this summer and look forward to meeting you Caleb. Ciao!
Absolutely Erick. Sometimes it is easy to reminisce about the comfortable paycheck or benefits and forget about the soul-sucking grind parts of the job.
Reach out to me and say hi when you see me at WDS. Cheers!
Thanks for the review Caleb. I’ll be attending his book tour when it stops by in Columbus on the 22nd and I’m looking forward to meeting Chris. The Art of Non-Conformity was an amazing book and I have no doubt that The $100 Startup will be just as good. Looking forward to the podcast next week as it should be a good one.
Thanks John. I hope you had a chance to meet Chris on his book tour and enjoyed his book.
Inspiring story Caleb, for those of us who want to do this blogging thing the right way. His free ebooks are so good they leave you wanting to find him and stuff some cash in his pocket. can’t wait to read this.
Ha, great point. His free writing legitimizes the quality of his paid work. I completely agree.
I actually met Chris back on Jan 16, 2011 when he was on his book tour for TAONC, Chris is actually one the first bloggers that inspired me to want to start blogging in the first place.
After I met him, I wrote a blog post about meeting him on my blog, you can read it here if you’re curious:
http://www.turningpointmotivation.com/?p=49
I emailed him to let him know, and guess what? He responded! and though I don’t really visit TAONC often, I continue to hear about Chris all the time, and after many bloggers blogs that I visit come and go, TAONC and Chris are still top of mind.
I actually haven’t blogged lately but reading this post I’ve got the kick in the pants I need.
Thanks Caleb!
Awesome Zac.
Let me know whenever you need a kick in the pants!
I wish I remembered how I came across his blog, but I do remember reading his manifesto and really changed my attitude on what’s possible in life.
I think his 279 days to overnight success manifesto was one of the first things I read too.
Hey Caleb,
I first connected with you during Corbett’s Traffic School in 2011. I enjoy your content and your contribution to the world VERY MUCH.
But this is about Chris…. when I think about Chris Guillebeau and all the people he touches, connects with, and inspires, it makes me realize that I have nowhere to go but ‘up’ in my relationship building, informative (and inspirational) writing, and method of communicating he has that is just so darn authentic!
To put it simply, Chris is genuine, he is one of the good guys, and he has value beyond measure to offer us in terms of advice and his “he’s really been there and is doing it, making it happen right now” insight.
The fact that he received over 1,500 submissions to include as case studies shows each of us exactly how possible this is to do and just reading through the 50 that he selected for inclusion in the book will prove that any idea is a good idea and can be used to support someone’s financial means (and then some!).
Read this book, think about what you have to offer the world, then come share it with all of us!
Lisa
Hey Lisa!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing how Chris has influenced your life too.
“You are the person you will be except for the people you meet and the books you read.” ~Zig Ziglar
… one of my favorite quotes …
Chris Guillebeau is such an awesome person. His 279 days to over-night success free report is also something that keeps me going online. He’s such a great guy who’s eye is always on the goal. Way to go man!
Sheyi
I love that some of the people who responded also started on a new path. Like many I found Chris about a year ago and also through the comments found Benny’s blog. All great stuff. Looking forward to more from you and your work. Have a great week.
By the way Blog World is going back to Las Vegas this January and looks to be huge. Hope to make it and run into a few people there. It’s going to be January 6,7,and 8th. Hope that this was of some use.
I didn’t know that BlogWorld was coming to Vegas next year. Thanks for the heads-up.
Really pumped to check this book out, I think you might have sold me on digging into the book more than Chris has Caleb, heh.
Hah, well it is a great read so I wanted to give it “mad props”.
Caleb, this article perfectly articulates my feelings today about Chris. There are moments in your life that you know are life changing and people that give you those or contribute to those moments.
There have been many inspiring online resources that I have encountered but Chris by far is my biggest inspiration and I got to meet him last night! I started my escape from a real world job at the beginning of this year when I stumbled on Scott Dinsmore’s site while looking for a good goal setting template for 2012. That was the beginning of my ultimate decision to create a new life for myself and my daughter and I will never, ever go back. I’m still figuring it all out and there are several sites I have learned from and follow but there are three core sites that I have gotten the most out of - ThinkTraffic, Live Your Legend and Chris’ site. I like each of those sites for different reasons and Chris’ site invokes more of an emotional connection for me. He’s just such a down to earth, regular guy and it makes that lifestyle seem so possible. I can remember getting his articles while sitting at my desk and daydreaming of another life. I read 279 days, The Tower and his Manifesto several times.
Then when the pre-release $100 Startup came out, I ordered two copies and got really lucky and got a free early copy. I had a similar email experience with him as you and those little communications make such a huge impression on someone like me in the early stages.
I’m completely in awe over The $100 Startup and am going to be following the suggestions and templates over the next few weeks. I drove 2.5 hours to see him in Chapel Hill last night and it was awesome.
The best part of the evening was that after the talk and signing, some people there all walked over to a nearby bar for a few drinks. I was going to head home since it was a long drive for me but there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to hang out with him. I ended up at the opposite end of the table and was straining to hear the discussions so I was getting frustrated over not getting the chance to talk with him. His brother was there waiting to hang out with him and Chris had just gotten to Chapel Hill that afternoon and was flying to Atlanta the next day. I know Chris was exhausted and ready to wrap things up but he did something so awesome. He took a few minutes to get up and come down to my end of the table and I got to talk one on one. He ended by thanking me for driving there and said that it meant a lot and I told him that by the time I see him again I will have a definitive answer on what it is exactly that I’m doing.
Last night was a pivotal moment in my chaotic search and I respect Chris for his amazingly actionable book and his awesome blog and story… but way more powerful than that, I admire his concern for helping each one of us. It’s genuine, inspiring and life changing. He makes me want to not let him down, to prove that I used his suggestions in the book and succeed. Seriously, how do you even say thank you to someone who changes your life like that?
Thanks for sharing your story Toni. I am glad you got a chance to meet with Chris at his book tour and that he is inspiring you towards bigger and greater things.
How do you thank someone who changes your life like that?
By doing something awesome enough that influences others to eventually feel the same way about you.
That’s exactly right! Thanks Caleb and obviously he isn’t the only one out there that’s been inspiring on my journey. You gave your two cents on my website name and I ran with it! My logo contest is up on Crowdspring and I’m still working through the Start a Blog That Matters course. I’ll be up and running in about a month so bigger and better things are in the near future!
Awesome Toni.
Let me know when it is launched!
Just bought the audiobook of $100 Startup on Audible.com. I am more of a auditory learner. Thanks for the recommendation!
Fantastic Deacon. I hope you’re enjoying it.
Caleb, I want to see LogicWithWojcik.com happen! Love the rhyming
I’ve heard of Chris for a while but have only followed him recently. It will be my aim though to go to the WDS one of these days. Will def. have the book in my reading list!
Awesome Caleb. If you make it to another WDS hopefully we can meet. I plan to keep attending them.