“Never enough” by Andrew Wilkinson

The author 🖋

Andrew Wilkinson is a Canadian entrepreneur and investor, who has been referred to as the "Warren Buffett of tech" for his patient, strategic approach.

Once a barista making $6.50 an hour, Andrew built a billion dollar business by the time he was 36 and is now the co-founder of Tiny - a holding company with a diversified portfolio of over 40 internet companies that collectively employ over 1,000 people and generate hundreds of millions in yearly revenue.

Key takeaways 🎓

1. The journey to success isn’t a straight line

Wilkinson's path was filled with ups and downs.

He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and adaptability because the reality is that most of these “10 year overnight success stories” had to endure a lot of challenges and setbacks along the way.

We often hear the sensationalized headlines of people becoming millionaires or billionaires, but almost never hear about the thousands of people who’ve tried and failed.

2. True success is more than money

The author’s first-hand experience of what it's actually like to become a billionaire gave him a great perspective on the essential things that money can't buy.

He emphasizes that the other parts of life are the ones that actually matter - like having good relationships and finding meaning/purpose.

Sometimes wealth can take those things away.

3. Unexpected downsides of being rich

While achieving extreme wealth may seem like the ultimate goal, Wilkinson's honest account reveals that it doesn't mean your life suddenly becomes perfect.

He provides a rare glimpse into the lives of the ultra-rich, how money can have a toxic effect on personal relationships with friends or family and how competition with peers leaves most people feeling like they never have enough.

Closing thoughts 🧠

The book is a combination of business lessons and personal insights, giving us a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and wealth from someone who has achieved remarkable success in the tech industry.

It provides a rare, honest look at the unexpected challenges that come with extreme wealth and success (which James Clear described the book as “Like going to business school and therapy all in one book”).