Book Review - From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership

About the Book
In From Founder to Future, learn how to transition leadership, implement shared ownership, and preserve your organization's core values—setting the stage for your business to thrive for generations to come.

This visionary but practical handbook offers mission-driven business owners a roadmap for ensuring their company's lasting impact, building leadership internally, and fostering participatory management.

Through inspiring real-world stories of B-Corps, worker co-ops, ESOPs, and employee ownership trusts, this book demonstrates how to create resilient organizations that benefit workers and communities.

Drawing on his 50-year journey with South Mountain Company and extensive research, Abrams outlines five critical transitions for mission-driven businesses to become what he calls a CommonWealth company:

• From founder to next-generation leadership
• From sole ownership to widely shared
• From hierarchical control to democratic management
• From unprotected mission to preserved purpose
• From business-as-usual to B Corp force for good

From Founder to Future is an essential guide for mission-driven leaders seeking to reshape their businesses for inclusivity, longevity, and positive impact. Whether you're a retiring owner planning your exit, a young entrepreneur building for the future, or an employee working in a purpose-driven business, this book offers a blueprint for creating enduring, values-driven enterprises in the emerging regenerative economy.

As 3,000,000 U.S. small business founders over 55 prepare to retire, $10 trillion in assets will change hands over the next two decades. This timely guide shows how to preserve your company's mission and legacy while empowering the next generation.

My Take on the Book

From Founder to Future is one of the most thoughtful and actionable books I’ve read on building a lasting business that doesn’t just survive—it evolves with purpose. As someone who’s been thinking deeply about leadership transitions and sustainable impact, I found Abrams' insights incredibly relevant. What struck me most was how clearly he lays out a path for companies to move from founder-centric to collectively led, while staying true to their original mission.

Rather than offering vague inspiration, the book is full of practical tools and examples from real companies that have shifted ownership and leadership in creative, equitable ways. I especially appreciated the nuanced discussion of employee ownership models—not just why they matter, but how to make them work.

If you're building something that matters and want it to outlast you in the best way possible, this book provides both a compass and a detailed map for the journey ahead.

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Book Review - Gold In Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership and the Power of a Dream

About the Book
How to succeed in business and in life? How to take the first seeds of an idea and grow them into an exciting and prosperous company? And how do you create a company culture that prizes innovation and inspires your employees to become the very best they can be? These are just a few of the questions that author Ron Rubin answers for us in this brilliant new book. And Ron is a true expert in entrepreneurship and business leadership. He took over The Republic of Tea in its infancy and built it into an industry leader and a pioneer in innovation, healthy living, and corporate social responsibility. Then, in his 60s, Ron Rubin did it again. He bought a small winery in Sonoma County and built it into the River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, another bold, pioneering venture—and for Ron it was a decades-long dream come beautifully true. As readers will see, GOLD IN YOUR BACKYARD is not a typical business book. It is a book of rare wisdom and inspiration, shining a bright light on how to live your life to the full and how to help others all along the way. It's a jewel, don't miss it!

My Take on the Book
Reading Gold in Your Backyard felt like being mentored by someone who’s seen success, failure, and everything in between—and wants you to benefit from all of it. Ron Rubin doesn’t just share business insights; he opens a window into a life lived with purpose, creativity, and care. What stood out most to me were the short, focused chapters—each one packed with a story, a lesson, and a clear takeaway. I appreciated how personal it felt, like a calm conversation with someone who genuinely wants to help you succeed, whether in business or just navigating life. The book is stunning in design, but it’s the content that lingers. It reminded me that leadership doesn’t have to be loud—it can be thoughtful, intentional, and deeply human. I’ve already flagged several sections to revisit, and I know this is a book I’ll return to again and again.

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Book Review - The Biggest, Highest Wave

About the Book
In The Biggest, Highest Wave you get a  graceful, gritty, and courageous female surfer faces the mighty force of nature's waves -- inspired by the world-famous, record-breaking swells that occur in Nazaré, Portugal. It's a testament to the human spirit and a young girl's ability to get back up after being turned upside down.Ages 3 to 8.

• Full color picture book.
• Hardcover with dust jacket.
• Picture book measures 7'' wide x 12'' high.
• 32 pages.

My Take on the Book

The Biggest, Highest Wave instantly became a favorite in our home. I read it with my young daughter, and we were both swept up in the story—her by the exciting action and bold illustrations, me by the quiet strength of the message. The main character’s determination in the face of towering waves isn’t just about surfing; it’s about bravery, falling down, and finding the will to rise again.

The tall book format adds drama to each scene, making the ocean feel truly immense. My daughter gasped at the size of the waves and cheered every time the little surfer got back up. The rhythm of the text carries the flow of the sea, and the vibrant images are frame-worthy.

It’s more than just a bedtime story—it’s a reminder that courage often comes in small packages. I’d recommend this to any parent looking for a beautiful, empowering read for their child.

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Book Review - The Career Game Loop

About the Book
Design a more fulfilling, resilient career for the new world of work

In The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy, veteran gaming, education, and workforce executive, Jessica Lindl, and her team at Unity Technologies deliver an exciting playbook for navigating today's dynamic career landscape inspired by an unlikely source - gaming. Drawing parallels between gaming and career advancement, you'll explore why learning, earning, and advancing are continuous, interwoven, and life-long processes, and how you can navigate a fulfilling career in the 21st century economy.

Lindl dives deep into the data of modern job hunting, training, networking, recruitment, and more as she tells the stories of real people who have overcome daunting obstacles to find the career they've always dreamed of. She also explains the mindsets, behaviors, and practice tips drawn from gaming you can implement immediately to create resilient, future-proof careers in a world where adaptability is the ultimate power-up.

You'll also find:

• Discussions of the Silicon Valley talent development model that helps make careers more resilient
• Cost-effective alternatives to the cost-prohibitive four-year degree model
• Resources you can access immediately to move quickly into more fulfilling, high-paying work

Perfect for new graduates and young professionals just entering the global workforce, The Career Game Loop is also a must-read for anyone considering a career change, people re-entering the labor force after an absence, HR professionals, and employers from around the world seeking new insights into how modern employees think about work.

My Take on the Book

I did not know a lot about The Career Game Loop when I picked it up, and it turned out to be a game-changer—literally. Jessica Lindl takes a brilliant approach, comparing career growth to the mechanics of gaming, and it just clicks. The book breaks down how learning, earning, and advancing aren’t separate phases but an ongoing cycle, much like leveling up in a game.

What I really appreciated was the real-world advice. Lindl doesn’t just throw theories at you—she shares stories of people who’ve navigated career challenges and come out ahead. The practical tips on adaptability, networking, and skill-building felt actionable, not just motivational fluff.

Whether you’re a new grad, switching fields, or just rethinking your professional path, this book offers a fresh perspective on career growth in today’s economy. If you’re ready to rethink the way you approach work, this is a must-read.

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DVD Review - Shameless - The Complete Series

About the Series

Meet Frank Gallagher (series star William H. Macy): proud, working-class patriarch to a motley brood of six smart, spirited and independent kids who, without him, would be... better off. In Frank's booze-addled view, parenting just eats into his hard-earned bar-crawling time around Chicago -- so he leaves it to eldest daughter Fiona (series star Emmy Rossum) to hold down the fort. Bearing the de facto parent badge/burden, she's donned the proverbial apron and makes sure her younger siblings do their chores, keep a clean-ish home, and everyone (no matter how small) works to keep the house lights on, as well as food on the table. Brothers Lip (series star Jeremy Allen White), Ian (series star Cameron Monaghan) and Carl (series star Ethan Cutkosky) use their intellect to break every rule in the book to survive and make the bank, while younger sister Debbie (series star Emma Kenney) would sooner steal her share. Toddler Liam, the youngest, is just happy to be along for the ride. The Gallaghers are irreverent, endearing, resilient -- and they're absolutely, wildly and unapologetically SHAMELESS.


My Take on the Series

Having just finished Shameless - The Complete Series, I can confidently say this show is a rollercoaster of raw emotion, dark humor, and unpredictable chaos. From the very first episode, the Gallagher family pulls you into their world of dysfunction and resilience. William H. Macy’s portrayal of Frank is both frustrating and mesmerizing—his drunken rants and questionable parenting make him one of television’s most complex characters. Meanwhile, Emmy Rossum’s Fiona is the glue holding everything together, her performance filled with heartache and determination.

What makes Shameless stand out is its ability to balance humor with gut-wrenching drama. Each character grows in unexpected ways, making it impossible not to get attached. While the show loses some of its charm after Fiona’s departure, it remains compelling through its final season. If you enjoy unapologetic storytelling with flawed yet loveable characters, this collection is a must-have. Just be prepared for an emotional ride!

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TV Series Review - The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series

About the Series
Shawn Wayans (In Living Color, Scary Movie, White Chicks) and Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie, In Living Color, White Chicks, The Ladykillers) — real-life brothers and members of the prolific Wayans family —star in this hilarious and physical comedy series as Shawn and Marlon Williams, two very different brothers who live together in New York City while searching for success. As the series begins, Shawn wants to be promoted from delivery man to dispatcher to impress his girlfriend, Lisa (Lela Rochon – Waiting to Exhale, Any Given Sunday). Marlon works in the diner operated by his and Shawn’s father, Pops (John Witherspoon – Friday, The Tracy Morgan Show, Boomerang, The Boondocks). The two brothers often get into trouble with their moneymaking schemes — but it’s always entertaining to watch! The series also features numerous notable guest stars.

 
My Take on the Series

The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series is pure comedy gold! I grew up watching reruns, so having the entire collection to watch whenever I want is a dream. Shawn and Marlon’s chemistry is unbeatable, and their antics never fail to crack me up. Marlon’s over-the-top energy mixed with Shawn’s smooth, straight-man act makes for the perfect balance.

John Witherspoon as Pops is hilarious—his one-liners alone are worth watching! The only downside is the lack of bonus features, but the episodes themselves make up for it. If you love classic ‘90s sitcoms, this set is a must-have for your collection!

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Book Review - Your Year of Wonders: Embrace Change, Grow Faster, Win Bigger!

About the Book

A practical guide to radical transformation through disruptive change, Your Year of Wonders, will give you a glimpse of your future self as you embrace change and air on the side of action instead of the side of caution. You’ll journey from “change is hard” to “growth is happening,” which will open up new perspectives and allow agile optimism to guide you through the most challenging and difficult times. A change management book for the boldest of leaders, it’s also a personal journey that each of us can take to move through change in the spirit of growth to win big and conquer our biggest fears.


About the Author: 

Nick Tasler is an internationally acclaimed thought leader, organizational psychologist, and a #1 bestselling author. Nick has helped hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world transform seasons of change into periods of unprecedented growth at the world’s most respected organizations ranging from FedEx, Microsoft, and JP Morgan Chase to Walmart, Hershey’s, Yale University, and more. Learn more about Nick here.

My Take on the Book
This amazing book will make you reconsider what it means to embrace change, take chances, and achieve even more in your life. While the size of the book is small, what you will learn will really open your eyes. The author does a great job at taking real-life examples and putting them to work to help you re-examine your own life and choices to see what you might be able to to to either incrementally or largely change the trajectory of your life.

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