John Warrillow author photo
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John Warrillow

John Warrillow is a business writer and entrepreneur focused on company valuation, recurring revenue, and exit strategy for small-business owners. He wrote Built to Sell, The Automatic Customer, and The Art of Selling Your Business. Built to Sell was named among the best business books of 2011 by Fortune and Inc.

Biography & Author's Journey

John Warrillow built his reputation by turning a private business frustration into a widely used framework for entrepreneurs. Educated at Queen’s University and based in Toronto, he first established himself as the founder of Warrillow & Co., a research and advisory firm that helped large companies understand and reach small-business customers. A decisive turning point came when, while exploring the sale of one of his own companies, he was told that a business overly dependent on its founder was worth far less than he assumed. That lesson stayed with him. He went on to build Warrillow & Co. into a subscription-based business, which was later acquired by Corporate Executive Board, giving him both the experience and the authority that would define his later writing. ((https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/237142/john-warrillow))

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Quotes

quote
If your goal is to build a more valuable company, stop selling your time
-Stop Selling Your Time
quote
Whatever you do well, know that it might become your Achilles’ heel
-How Your Greatest Strength Becomes Your Weakness
quote
Foxhole leaders are often known for getting in the trenches with their teams
-The Downside of “Foxhole Leadership”
quote
The more you step in, the less valuable your company will be
-Why Your Employees Don’t Get It
quote
Yet the idea is the easy part
-Less Thinking, More Doing
quote
While being a local provider may have gotten you into business, it’s not going to be enough to get you out for a decent multiple
-The Downside of Being a “One-Stop Shop”
quote
When building a valuable company, social media is a double-edged sword
-How to Build a Personal Brand Without Compromising the Value of Your Business
quote
If you want to transform your service business into a valuable company, develop something you do that nobody else offers
-Why Service Businesses Are Less Valuable

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Books Recommended by Matt Risinger
BOOKS

Books Recommended by Matt Risinger

Book recommendations by Matt Risinger to boost business, sharpen leadership, and build smarter—essential reads for builders and entrepreneurs.

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Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders
BOOKS

Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders

Discover Y Combinator CEO's picks for mastering startups, strategy, and meaningful living.

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Street-Smart Company Valuation Mastery
LEARNING PLAN

Street-Smart Company Valuation Mastery

This comprehensive path bridges the gap between academic theory and Wall Street reality, making it essential for aspiring analysts and serious investors. It provides the technical rigor of DCF modeling alongside the timeless wisdom of value investing to help you value companies with confidence.

5 h 15 m5 Sections
Lead, Grow & Market: Business Strategy Guide
LEARNING PLAN

Lead, Grow & Market: Business Strategy Guide

This guide is designed for entrepreneurs and managers looking to transition from daily operations to strategic growth. It provides a comprehensive roadmap for balancing leadership, marketing, and operational scaling to build a resilient business.

5 h 16 m4 Sections
Do Trade ao Business: O Guia do Fundador
LEARNING PLAN

Do Trade ao Business: O Guia do Fundador

Este guia é essencial para empreendedores que desejam parar de apagar incêndios e começar a construir uma empresa real. Ele beneficia fundadores que buscam transformar operações manuais em sistemas escaláveis, lucrativos e independentes.

2 h 1 m4 Sections
10 Small Business Owners Quietly Rewriting Business in 2025
LEARNING PLAN

10 Small Business Owners Quietly Rewriting Business in 2025

This plan is designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to scale sustainably in a post-ad-spend era. It provides a blueprint for those who want to increase profit margins through automation and psychological differentiation rather than brute-force spending.

3 h 50 m4 Sections
The Writerpreneur Business Blueprint
LEARNING PLAN

The Writerpreneur Business Blueprint

This blueprint is essential for writers looking to escape the freelance treadmill and build a sustainable business. It is designed for professionals who want to leverage their expertise into scalable digital assets while maintaining a consistent creative practice.

3 h 4 m4 Sections
Business, Entrepreneurship & Investing Tips
LEARNING PLAN

Business, Entrepreneurship & Investing Tips

This comprehensive guide is designed for aspiring founders and professionals looking to bridge the gap between startup agility and corporate leadership. It provides a holistic roadmap for anyone seeking to master both the art of building a business and the science of growing personal wealth.

4 h 56 m4 Sections

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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