Synopses & Reviews
Former star of the classic TV series M*A*S*H, Wayne Rogers has, over the past four decades, become an enormously successful entrepreneur and businessman—and in Make Your Own Rules he shows you how to retain your own identity and reap tremendous rewards in your career and business while doing so.
Using fascinating examples from his wide array of experiences—all of which involved leaping into situations where he lacked the traditional background in a particular field— Rogers presents a clarion call to the creative-minded person who isn’t quite sure how to apply that creativity to the world of business. How do you make your way in the business world without becoming a robot? What are the secrets to distinguishing yourself and finding out-of-the-box solutions?
Make Your Own Rules encourages you to see things from a fresh perspective, color outside the lines, and avoid becoming a slave to convention. Whether you’re trying to move up the ranks, make a career transition, or develop your own business, the advice in this must-read book will help you realize your full potential.
“I’ve watched Wayne Rogers enjoy the excitement, adventure, and bliss of acting. He’s brought that same joy to a lifetime of adventure in the world of business, and the way he combines creativity in investment with a passion for being of service to the customer is inspiring. Reading his book will make you richer in more ways than one.” — Alan Alda
“When I first had Wayne Rogers on my show years back, people would say, ‘what does an actor know about money?’ Then they’d listen and remember his picks. Pretty soon, they would follow up: ‘You need more actors.’ That’s the thing about Wayne, he gets it. He’s no act. He’s the real deal, and this book? Pretty good deal. Darn good deal.” — Neil Cavuto, anchor, Fox News and Fox Business
“Make Your Own Rules grabs you by the title and keeps you to the end with the simple truth from an extraordinary person. It is must reading for anyone who has ever thought of pursuing their entrepreneurial dream. I read this book from cover to cover and will insist my entrepreneurial students read it as well. For the bright young nonconformists who want to be their own bosses, this book shows that if a person has entrepreneurial passion combined with a willingness to work, the ability to attract good partners, and the ability to see opportunity, there is nothing you can’t do—and do on your own terms. What the reader will receive here is not a ‘how to’ book, but a role model for pursuing your dream and a path to success in business outside the constraints of the corporate culture.”— W. Clay Hamner, Ph.D., Frank Hawkins Kenan Professor of Entrepreneurship, Kenan-Flagler Business School, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Review
"Thoughtful advice for current and aspiring entrepreneurs." --ALA Booklist
Review
"… fascinating and unconventional business book…discover how defying convention and setting yourself apart from the crowd can lead to both entrepreneurial and career success." --Blog Business World
Review
“…informal business memoir…sort of account that you might hear if you'd played golf with him and he decided to tell some business tales…An enjoyable read.” --Execupundit.com
Synopsis
ALA Booklist Top Ten Business Books 2011
It’s hardly a secret that the corporate ladder is no longer the path to success it once was. Wayne Rogers—star of the classic TV series M*A*S*H*—has had even more success as a businessman and entrepreneur than as an actor. Applying his own unique viewpoint to a wide range of businesses (a restaurant, a vineyard, a chain of convenience stores, the world of banking, real estate, a film distribution company, and even a famous bridal boutique), the iconoclastic star has steadfastly refused to accept limitations, and boldly forged a path for himself beyond the stifling constraints of the corporate system.
Filled with insights and engaging stories, Make Your Own Rules paints a fascinating portrait of how Rogers excelled precisely because he didn’t have prior experience in each of these businesses…or any preconceived notions of how they should be run. Rogers reveals the keys to his success over the past four decades—lessons that are even more important today. After all, in the current economic climate, learning to be creative, challenge convention, and seize unexpected opportunities is not only liberating—it can make all the difference to success.
Anyone who yearns to succeed without the burdens of corporate culture can thrive outside the establishment. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small business owner, changing careers, or just entering the workforce, Make Your Own Rules delivers the inspiration and guidance you need to climb the ladder of your choice.
Synopsis
ALA Booklist Top Ten Business Books 2011
It's hardly a secret that the corporate ladder is no longer the path to success it once was. Wayne Rogers--star of the classic TV series
M*A*S*H*--has had even more success as a businessman and entrepreneur than as an actor. Applying his own unique viewpoint to a wide range of businesses (a restaurant, a vineyard, a chain of convenience stores, the world of banking, real estate, a film distribution company, and even a famous bridal boutique), the iconoclastic star has steadfastly refused to accept limitations, and boldly forged a path for himself beyond the stifling constraints of the corporate system.
Filled with insights and engaging stories,
Make Your Own Rules paints a fascinating portrait of how Rogers excelled precisely because he didn't have prior experience in each of these businesses...or any preconceived notions of how they should be run. Rogers reveals the keys to his success over the past four decades--lessons that are even more important today. After all, in the current economic climate, learning to be creative, challenge convention, and seize unexpected opportunities is not only liberating--it can make all the difference to success.
Anyone who yearns to succeed without the burdens of corporate culture can thrive outside the establishment. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small business owner, changing careers, or just entering the workforce,
Make Your Own Rules delivers the inspiration and guidance you need to climb the ladder of your choice.
Synopsis
It’s hardly a secret that the corporate ladder is no longer the path to success it once was. Wayne Rogers—star of the classic TV series M*A*S*H*—has had even more success as a businessman and entrepreneur than as an actor. Applying his own unique viewpoint to a wide range of businesses (a restaurant, a vineyard, a chain of convenience stores, the world of banking, real estate, a film distribution company, and even a famous bridal boutique), the iconoclastic star has steadfastly refused to accept limitations, and boldly forged a path for himself beyond the stifling constraints of the corporate system.
Filled with insights and engaging stories, Make Your Own Rules paints a fascinating portrait of how Rogers excelled precisely because he didn’t have prior experience in each of these businesses…or any preconceived notions of how they should be run. Rogers reveals the keys to his success over the past four decades—lessons that are even more important today. After all, in the current economic climate, learning to be creative, challenge convention, and seize unexpected opportunities is not only liberating—it can make all the difference to success.
Anyone who yearns to succeed without the burdens of corporate culture can thrive outside the establishment. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small business owner, changing careers, or just entering the workforce, Make Your Own Rules delivers the inspiration and guidance you need to climb the ladder of your choice.
Synopsis
Rogers, star of the TV series "M*A*S*H*," has had even more success as a businessman and entrepreneur than as an actor. Filled with insights and engaging stories, "Make Your Own Rules" paints a fascinating portrait of how Rogers excelled precisely because he didn't have prior experience in each of these businesses--or any preconceived notions of how they should be run. Rogers reveals the keys to his success over the past four decades.
Synopsis
In today’s business environment—one where the traditional career path isn’t as readily available as it once was; the economy and the banking system are volatile; and government regulation makes it increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs and new business owners to get their ideas off the ground—more and more people are seeking an alternate path to success. It’s the kind of world where learning to be creative, challenging convention, and seizing unexpected opportunities are not only liberating but can also make the difference in whether or not you achieve personal and economic freedom.
Wayne Rogers should know. The former star of the classic television series M*A*S*H is a highly successful entrepreneur who, since graduating from Princeton University, has applied his own iconoclastic vision to a wide range of businesses including a vineyard, a famous bridal boutique, a chain of convenience stores, the worlds of banking and real estate, a restaurant, a film distribution company, and more. Rogers has made a name for himself in countless businesses where the only constant was that he lacked the traditional background and experience—proving time and time again that the secret to making it lies in tapping into your own creative viewpoint.
In Make Your Own Rules, Rogers shares the keys to his success over the past four decades, revealing that you don’t have to be “against the system” in order to succeed; you just have to avoid becoming a cog in a machine. Filled with insights and engaging stories, Make Your Own Rules encourages you to stop asking “Why?” and start saying “Why not?” when it comes to your career and business.
Whether you’re wrestling with how to transition from one career to another, seeking opportunities you can’t yet see, or looking for a bold new way to start or revitalize your own business, Make Your Own Rules provides you with realistic strategies that will enable you to achieve phenomenal success in any area…just by being yourself.
WAYNE ROGERS, aside from being known for his role as Trapper John on the TV series M*A*S*H, is an extremely successful entrepreneur in a wide variety of fields and has served as a financial adviser to actors, rock stars, and businesspeople. He is currently a panelist on Fox Business Channel’s top-rated weekly show Cashin’ In.
JOSH YOUNG is a bestselling writer whose work spans entertainment, business, science, and politics. As an author, he specializes in cowriting books of notable entertainment figures, most recently Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me with Howie Mandel. As a journalist, Josh has worked for Esquire, George, and LIFE magazines.
About the Author
WAYNE ROGERS aside from being known for his role as Trapper John on the TV series "M*A*S*H*", is an extremely successful entrepreneur in a wide variety of fields, and has served as a financial advisor to actors, rock stars, and businesspeople. He is currently a panelist on Fox Business Channel’s top-rated weekly show "Cashin’ In".
JOSH YOUNG is a best-selling writer. As an author, he specializes in cowriting books of notable entertainment figures, most recently, Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me with Howie Mandel. As a journalist, Josh has worked for Esquire, George, and LIFE magazines.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction: A Personal Constitution
1 The Playing Field: Know What You’re Up Against
2 Creativity Fuels Success in Both Art and Business
3 Finding People You Can Work With
4 The Magic of Creative Financing
5 Casting Off Conventions
6 Do Your Homework
7 Just Ask the Customer
8 Show Business Laid the Groundwork
9 Making the Most of the Banking System
10 Wedding Dresses: An Unexpected Case Study
Epilogue: The Free Market
Index
About the Author