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You Only Have to Be Right Once: The Unprecedented Rise of the Instant Tech Billionaires
The ultimate insider look at the newest titans of tech—and what you can learn from their success
In 2007, twenty-one-year old David Karp launched Tumblr, a simple micro-blogging platform, on a whim. By 2012, it had become one of the top ten online destinations, drawing 170 million visitors. By 2013, Yahoo had acquired Tumblr for over $1 billion. Just like that, a kid who hadn’t even earned his high school diploma was worth over a quarter billion dollars. And he’s not the only one . . .
Silicon Valley’s newest billionaires represent a unique and unconventional breed of young, bold, and taking the world by storm with their extreme speed, insatiable hunger, and progressive leadership. These whiz kids (and, to be fair, a few adults) have the hottest companies in the world. They are all turning just one brilliant insight or hook into money at a rate never before seen in human history—creating companies that, even with no revenue, garner insane valuations.
With unique insider access to the world’s most influential and wealthy entrepreneurs, Forbes has dug in to find what these super-entrepreneurs say about their own success. This book, introduced, edited, and updated by Forbes editor Randall Lane, is the first comprehensive look at who these instant tech billionaires are and how they achieved their quick wins. With sixteen illuminating pieces, including two never-before published features, we get behind-the-scenes examinations of the founders of Spotify, Airbnb, Tumblr, Twitter, and more,
You Only Have to Be Right Once is the definitive collection of everything we can learn from these incredible game changers and what their next moves spell for the future of business.
In 2007, twenty-one-year old David Karp launched Tumblr, a simple micro-blogging platform, on a whim. By 2012, it had become one of the top ten online destinations, drawing 170 million visitors. By 2013, Yahoo had acquired Tumblr for over $1 billion. Just like that, a kid who hadn’t even earned his high school diploma was worth over a quarter billion dollars. And he’s not the only one . . .
Silicon Valley’s newest billionaires represent a unique and unconventional breed of young, bold, and taking the world by storm with their extreme speed, insatiable hunger, and progressive leadership. These whiz kids (and, to be fair, a few adults) have the hottest companies in the world. They are all turning just one brilliant insight or hook into money at a rate never before seen in human history—creating companies that, even with no revenue, garner insane valuations.
With unique insider access to the world’s most influential and wealthy entrepreneurs, Forbes has dug in to find what these super-entrepreneurs say about their own success. This book, introduced, edited, and updated by Forbes editor Randall Lane, is the first comprehensive look at who these instant tech billionaires are and how they achieved their quick wins. With sixteen illuminating pieces, including two never-before published features, we get behind-the-scenes examinations of the founders of Spotify, Airbnb, Tumblr, Twitter, and more,
You Only Have to Be Right Once is the definitive collection of everything we can learn from these incredible game changers and what their next moves spell for the future of business.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2014
37 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 6, 2017
Не бях чела досега нищо, представено от материали на Forbes, и да си кажа трудно свикнах с острия и някак си мачовски стил на изразяване. Привикнала съм към бизнес книги, посветени повече на психологическата нагласа и личностните качества, които е нужно да развиеш, отколкото на самия "корав" свят на инвестирането в Силициевата долина.
Обаче, струваше си да надникна в този свят. В рамките на двеста страници успях да добия обща представа за какво иде реч, когато се касае за рисково инвестиране и финансиране. Вече няма ми изглеждат като черна дупка тези неща. Книгата може да има вид на обикновен сборник със статии на Forbes, но са подбрани блестящо, за да ти създадат плавно усещане за представяне на това как се случват нещата. И това го правят не със скучни теоретични обяснения, а чрез истории на реални личности с реални идеи. Страхотно четиво, което ти разбужда апетит за още.
И да си призная, за някои от продуктите не бях чувала въобще, а други просто не ползвам, но пак ми беше любопитно да прочета и да се опитам да разбера защо, аджеба, хората са луди по тях. :)
Никога няма да ми омръзне и да казвам, че такъв тип книги са много по-образователни от какъвто й да е учебник. Особено, ако човек е натрупал опит като читател на бизнес книги, започва да вижда повтарящите се елементи и модели, които обединяват историите. Като например, че всъщност всяка една идея (проект, продукт), която е представена, е реално решение на проблем, който са имали самите й създатели. Те са се отдали на решението на този проблем и после са го споделили с всички останали.
И... истината е, че една успешна идея не е достатъчна. Нито пък решението на един проблем. Този своеобразен сборник с истории на успели IT милиардери, го доказва. Доказва, че трябва си готов да падаш, да имаш здрави нерви и стомах, да си готов да не спиш, да нямаш социален живот, за да превърнеш своята идея в реалност. Ако обаче е правилната идея и вярваш в нея, то това няма значение, защото спираш да забелязваш тези неща и да имат значение за теб. :)
Обаче, струваше си да надникна в този свят. В рамките на двеста страници успях да добия обща представа за какво иде реч, когато се касае за рисково инвестиране и финансиране. Вече няма ми изглеждат като черна дупка тези неща. Книгата може да има вид на обикновен сборник със статии на Forbes, но са подбрани блестящо, за да ти създадат плавно усещане за представяне на това как се случват нещата. И това го правят не със скучни теоретични обяснения, а чрез истории на реални личности с реални идеи. Страхотно четиво, което ти разбужда апетит за още.
И да си призная, за някои от продуктите не бях чувала въобще, а други просто не ползвам, но пак ми беше любопитно да прочета и да се опитам да разбера защо, аджеба, хората са луди по тях. :)
Никога няма да ми омръзне и да казвам, че такъв тип книги са много по-образователни от какъвто й да е учебник. Особено, ако човек е натрупал опит като читател на бизнес книги, започва да вижда повтарящите се елементи и модели, които обединяват историите. Като например, че всъщност всяка една идея (проект, продукт), която е представена, е реално решение на проблем, който са имали самите й създатели. Те са се отдали на решението на този проблем и после са го споделили с всички останали.
И... истината е, че една успешна идея не е достатъчна. Нито пък решението на един проблем. Този своеобразен сборник с истории на успели IT милиардери, го доказва. Доказва, че трябва си готов да падаш, да имаш здрави нерви и стомах, да си готов да не спиш, да нямаш социален живот, за да превърнеш своята идея в реалност. Ако обаче е правилната идея и вярваш в нея, то това няма значение, защото спираш да забелязваш тези неща и да имат значение за теб. :)
October 15, 2016
Хареса ми книгата. Огромни благодарности за бележките на преводача. Накараха ме да се замисля, колко съм далече от това поколение, което не помни времето преди компютрите и Интернет.
Книгата е написана вдъхновяващо и правдиво. Убеди ме в Американската мечта, предприемачеството, силата на идеите и това да вярваш в тях , плюс минус някой бизнес ангел и милиони долари :) Благодаря !
Книгата е написана вдъхновяващо и правдиво. Убеди ме в Американската мечта, предприемачеството, силата на идеите и това да вярваш в тях , плюс минус някой бизнес ангел и милиони долари :) Благодаря !
October 29, 2015
Милионерите по тениски:
Рядко до почти никога чета такива книги, твърде откъснат съм от технологичния свят, макар да се възползвам от крайните продукти на въображението на неговите властници. Определено обаче вече виждам в себе си зараждащото се консервативно мрънкало, което по никой начин не желае да бъде на върха на вълната с последните новости � примерно съзнавам колко безнадеждно демоде е списването на блог, но да се занимавам с влог ми се струва ужасна досада. Така и не прочетох прословутата биография на Стив Джобс, макар да ми я подариха в оригинал, а и едва ли щях да посегна към “Едн� успешна идея е достатъчна�, ако преводачката на книгата не ми я беше описала с оня налудничав блясък в очите, който така обичам и който рядко срещам. Но когато човек наистина се радва на това, което върши, е лесно да предаде това вълнение на околните � и срам, не срам, използвах тази книга, за да си наваксам годините нарочно вкнижаване и отказ от по-широк поглед към случващото се в дигиталния (и не само) свят.
Издателство "Еднорог"�
Рядко до почти никога чета такива книги, твърде откъснат съм от технологичния свят, макар да се възползвам от крайните продукти на въображението на неговите властници. Определено обаче вече виждам в себе си зараждащото се консервативно мрънкало, което по никой начин не желае да бъде на върха на вълната с последните новости � примерно съзнавам колко безнадеждно демоде е списването на блог, но да се занимавам с влог ми се струва ужасна досада. Така и не прочетох прословутата биография на Стив Джобс, макар да ми я подариха в оригинал, а и едва ли щях да посегна към “Едн� успешна идея е достатъчна�, ако преводачката на книгата не ми я беше описала с оня налудничав блясък в очите, който така обичам и който рядко срещам. Но когато човек наистина се радва на това, което върши, е лесно да предаде това вълнение на околните � и срам, не срам, използвах тази книга, за да си наваксам годините нарочно вкнижаване и отказ от по-широк поглед към случващото се в дигиталния (и не само) свят.
Издателство "Еднорог"�
August 31, 2018
A comprehensive compilation of the new tech billionaires of our current generation. Covering stories of Sean Parker of Napster/Facebook/Spotify; Daniel Ek of Spotify; Alex Karp of Palantir; Jan Koum and Brian Acton of Whatsapp; Drew Houston of Dropbox; Aaron Levie of Box; Elon Musk of Tesla/SpaceX; Kevin Systrom of Instagram; Jack Dorsey of Square/Twitter; David Karp of Tumblr; Nick Woodman of GoPro; Brian Chesky of AirBnb; Evan Spiegel of Snapchat; Lucky Palmer of Oculus Rift. The journeys, growth, acquisitions, especially the way they were approached by prominent investors and leaders like Mark Zuckerberg reaching out to buy out Whatsapp and Instagram, or Sundar Pichai and Larry Page trying to buy Whatsapp, is exciting to read.
July 19, 2015
"Technology has blown everything wide-open." It’s the stories of new tech versus the old tech (i.e. Gates, Jobs, Ellison, etc.) � and we’re talking billionaires, not just millionaires!
I never had a clue about this stuff � Square, Tumblr, Twitter, SpaceX, Tesla, Napster, Facebook, Spotify, GoPro, Dropbox, Airbnb, Palantir (now THIS is fascinating!), Snapchat, Oculus! Hockey stick growth! (Can you imagine? WhatsApp cofounder went from welfare to a $6.8 Billion payday AFTER TAXES!)
Like the Sean Parker character in the movie “The Social Network� said, “A million dollars isn't cool, you know what's cool? � A billion dollars.�
OMG!!
I never had a clue about this stuff � Square, Tumblr, Twitter, SpaceX, Tesla, Napster, Facebook, Spotify, GoPro, Dropbox, Airbnb, Palantir (now THIS is fascinating!), Snapchat, Oculus! Hockey stick growth! (Can you imagine? WhatsApp cofounder went from welfare to a $6.8 Billion payday AFTER TAXES!)
Like the Sean Parker character in the movie “The Social Network� said, “A million dollars isn't cool, you know what's cool? � A billion dollars.�
OMG!!
January 29, 2016
A good read for somebody who looks at Silicon Valley with some degree of envy. If you've dreamt of being the founder of a great (and valuable) company, it's valuable to get a clear picture of how others have done it.
Fun read.
Fun read.
December 4, 2016
This book has short bios about the various tech innovators. Some of them were interesting, some not so much; overall, the book was good. The amount of money that these people make on their innovations is mind boggling, as is their creativity and dedication to the product/app. I can honestly say that I have not had an urge to create something that was so strong that I felt the need to feed myself intravenously and pee outside of a window to avoid having to take breaks for meals and the bathroom as one of these guys did! The book was a quick read, and it was the right length; if it was any longer, I think I would have been bored. I listened to it on audio, which probably also made it more interesting to me; not sure I would have been able to stick with it in print.
April 24, 2018
Very interesting to see how one good idea along side hard work can turn into a Billion dollar company. I loved how the author captured that all these amazingly smart people are just normal people like us! We just need good ideas and work harder and harder trying to achieve something good in our lives.
January 17, 2019
This book is interesting in parts, but I'd caution people not to have high expectations for it to deconstruct why these top performers were so successful. It's a very surface level recount of their route to success, a tiny bit about their personalities and mostly about the glamour of their companies' valuations. It was a bit superficial for me, but that said, super quick read.
March 5, 2015
Repurposed puff-pieces from Forbes, with a frustrating lack of depth. There are some interesting insights to be gleaned, but mostly only by reading between the lines, and comparing the similarities and differences of the various stories.
April 10, 2015
Completely devoid of the socioeconomic commentary the title suggests. Good bio pieces, but never addressed the most interesting question: what does it mean that a single good move can lead to outrageous wealth, and should we as a society be concentrating wealth on the basis of a single great idea?
June 9, 2015
Forbes editor Randall Lane brings interesting insights into the lifes of today's biggest and youngest tech entrepreneurs. In 16 short chapters, each focused on one entrepreneur, you will have a chance to follow them on their journey from childhood to success and learn some lessons.
July 31, 2015
More like 3.5 stars. This was an interesting look into the 20 something billionaire app startup generation. Now if I can just design something out of nothing, sell it to Mark Zuckerberg, and make my billions I'll be all set.
September 3, 2015
If you want a short history on the history of founders in the past 5 years this would be the book for you. It very recent and went into a bit of back story. Kind of like founders at work, but def not as good.
April 20, 2016
Inspirativní příběhy. Nejvíc mě asi překvapil popis Palantiru, kde jsem konečně trochu pochopil, čím se vlastně zabývají. Jinak kniha je podle mě složená z článků, již napsaných pro Forbes, a k tomu nějaké doplnění navrch.
September 10, 2016
Tak trochu nechápu proč má tato kniha tak vysoké hodnocení. Nepřináší nic zajímavého, je to jen sumarizace životopisů CEO ... není to v žádném případě inspirativní čtení. Jednou prolistujete a už nikdy neotevřete. Kniha je z dílny Forbes, což by mělo být jakousi známkou kvality, není.
January 3, 2015
Very inspiring
June 5, 2015
A really great book if you are interested in how different start-ups have developed themselves to their present stage. Very inspirational and very engaging.
June 19, 2015
Crisp and straight. A good read.
June 25, 2015
Bio of companies and CEOs
It is just a BIOs of companies and CEOs nothing special. It is a 1 read book. I believe not worth the money.
It is just a BIOs of companies and CEOs nothing special. It is a 1 read book. I believe not worth the money.
July 18, 2015
Full of puff pieces lacking any factual or insightful substance. Don't waste your time.
November 26, 2015
Great stories, could have been told more interesting
January 3, 2016
Snad někdy....
March 27, 2018
Great inspirational stories!
Read
August 7, 2016informative on the latest, although i noticed a few typos which were offputting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2018
Well written compact stories.
October 8, 2018
Just alright, many snapshots of different people.
June 30, 2022
Exciting read like your watching a PPV prize fight.
What my 👂 herd 👇
These guys are the bloated prey I'm the hungry predator
Reap adulation
1 in 10 success is fine as long as that one is a Blockbuster
Can I show you my unlimited wealth machine
He's a big ass visionary
I appreciate any conversation where I can walk away questioning myself and my ideas
Wheels up at 7:30 sharp
Cool cocky opportunist
Ari will sue you out of existence if you don't show
I stretched my deal definition to get in
I have to learn how to be big
People counting me out which gave me proper motivation
Hot chicked...replaced with a better offer
I'm wearing the clarity of my personal life with ease
I like your humble confidence
His voice is weak and scratchy
Picture me replying with a satisfied nod
He's an adept battle commander
Crushing disadvantage
Give a big vision pitch
Gesticulate definition
Bifurcate definition
It wasn't a massive drag
You have the peppered hair look of one of the money guys
Top investors take my calls
He will dilute whatever you have to a pittance
The deal flow is amazing
I'm far from wealthy but living a proper American dream
I'm pitching you for funds
A wine soaked dinner
I'm here living this life
We stuck together like a high school click
I invest in amazing people
We can call b** on each other which makes our ideas better
It was a genius investment
I want my due
What my 👂 herd 👇
These guys are the bloated prey I'm the hungry predator
Reap adulation
1 in 10 success is fine as long as that one is a Blockbuster
Can I show you my unlimited wealth machine
He's a big ass visionary
I appreciate any conversation where I can walk away questioning myself and my ideas
Wheels up at 7:30 sharp
Cool cocky opportunist
Ari will sue you out of existence if you don't show
I stretched my deal definition to get in
I have to learn how to be big
People counting me out which gave me proper motivation
Hot chicked...replaced with a better offer
I'm wearing the clarity of my personal life with ease
I like your humble confidence
His voice is weak and scratchy
Picture me replying with a satisfied nod
He's an adept battle commander
Crushing disadvantage
Give a big vision pitch
Gesticulate definition
Bifurcate definition
It wasn't a massive drag
You have the peppered hair look of one of the money guys
Top investors take my calls
He will dilute whatever you have to a pittance
The deal flow is amazing
I'm far from wealthy but living a proper American dream
I'm pitching you for funds
A wine soaked dinner
I'm here living this life
We stuck together like a high school click
I invest in amazing people
We can call b** on each other which makes our ideas better
It was a genius investment
I want my due
July 26, 2021
DNF
Short biographies of the big tech people.
Most of the time I didn't know any of these people and didn't know half of the tech companies. I'm not a tech person and thought I wanted to learn about the founders of these programs, but I was wrong. I couldn't care less now. And I didn't really like the writing.
So I got through 4 chapters and decided I'd had enough. Plus, book really isn't current now.
Short biographies of the big tech people.
Most of the time I didn't know any of these people and didn't know half of the tech companies. I'm not a tech person and thought I wanted to learn about the founders of these programs, but I was wrong. I couldn't care less now. And I didn't really like the writing.
So I got through 4 chapters and decided I'd had enough. Plus, book really isn't current now.
July 7, 2019
Well written compact stories.
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