Shark Tales by Barbara Corcoran

Synopsis: Vignettes of an entrepreneur’s experiences building a billion dollar business from scratch.

Pacing: Fast!

Writing: Clear. Transparent. Revealing.

Personal Highlights: The sheer volume of storytelling is fabulously presented! The layout is first class and the writing down-to-earth, passionate-edgy, and humorous. This actually surprised me. Barbara recollecting her vulnerabilities was unexpected, particularly her early bout with stage fright and  encounters with moguls such as Trump (to name one). It also was a treat to read content (stories) so genuine and grounded. When it came to the Ray ordeal, Barbara’s strength really resonated. No pity party whatsoever! From this vantage point it was easy to find appeal in her purpose; finding (fair) ways to grow her business. The 88 apartments comes to mind, along with a few quotes that also stuck: “Publicity is easiest and cheapest to make happen.” “Moms can’t quit” …and “Not one of us is as smart as all of us” (in regards to team work). 

Overall, the best part of this timeless work is how Barbara paired her upbringing with her business decisions. The stories are chocked full of valuable lessons looped through some amazing storytelling. She doesn’t tell you what to do. She tells you HOW she did it. I simply can’t get over Shark Tales. Highly recommended.