Some extra-credit reading for the holidays: former Wu-Tang GM Cederic Muhammed offers three exclusive excerpts from his three volume set, The Entrepreneurial Secret To Starting A Business Without A Bank Loan, Collateral or Revenue. There’s been a lot of talk — too much talk — about what to name the generation coming into its own — whatever “coming into one’s own” means in a trickier-than-ever world.Simply put – and yes, I know I’m not the first to say this — labels are fucking dumb and reductive at best, and self-fulfilling prophecies at worst. I’d like to spit in the eye of whomever coined the Term “Generation X” (the great band notwithstanding) to stigmatize the age grouping I happen to be born into (tho I’ll add chauvinistically that I find very little that doesn’t derive from the creativity my steez exhibited in the 80’s, but that’s another debate for another time).
I will say that as an editor, on a daily basis at urb.com (and in my inbox) I see the networking hustle that so many musicians, bloggers, producers, models, photographers, graphic designers, videographers, et, al, employ with a fervor that equals and often exceed their creative hustle! This is definitely a very self-taught generation that shares knowledge effectively.
And yet now, even as I begin to ID one gen from another, I have to step back a minute and check myself.
Because the real truth — which lay far beyond the contrivances inherent in generational identity — is far simpler: at this time, in this world where in the most elemental sense we’re ALL increasingly forced to find our way anew as old pathways to success — or at least mild “security” — become sinkholes leading right to a sad, anonymous place on a job fair line, we’re all forced to become auto-didacts with a networking bent. No single source has The Answer and there are no single answers anyway, so we’re turning over a lot of stones.
The Entrepreneurial Secret To Starting A Business Without A Bank Loan, Collateral or Revenue seems like a long title that maybe even borders on infomercial terrain, but there’s no such hype to be found within its pages. In reality, the title is nothing more than a lucid, plain-spoken detailing of where most of us are. Like a cell of secret chambers, these three tomes go macro-micro, starting with a look at the world and history which can shape you and your choices in (Volume 1: The Political Economy), proceeding to the world of tactics and principles that can stand between you and your dreams (Volume 2: The Business Principles) and ending where it all really begins, with Volume 3’s self-explanatory title, The Personal Struggle.
And no, I don’t agree with everything in this book nor any book, but my nearly unanimously self-employed friends — all coming from very different backgrounds — that I’ve shown the book have found some valuable passage or case study in these pages, and I’m proud to share three excerpts that the author has thoughtfully selected for URB readers. Take a look and let your own thoughts, questions and critiques be known; share your own insights and never stop questioning anything and everything.
Herewith, three very valuable books from Cedric Muhammad, who made his bones as the GM of Wu-Tang clan.
Michael Vazquez
As a former General Manager for Wu Tang Clan, I do not apologize for learning business through the music industry. I’m sure the well-rounded URB family of viewers can appreciate this. That foundation served me well as I later became a successful political strategist and economist having advised world leaders and corporations while keeping a client base of entrepreneurs and small business owners whose bottom lines are determined by what happens each day on the street level.
You can enjoy more of my eclectic perspective and learn more about my personal path by viewing my bio video at my personal website
Whether you are a Hip-Hop mogul, aspiring artist, single Mother, laid off corporate professional, previously incarcerated individual, or seasoned businessperson I am confident The Entrepreneurial Secret has something to offer in the way of practical, technical or spiritual insight.
I know this book can help you make moves in this challenging economic environment!
Just to whet your appetite I have selected an excerpt from each Volume which you can enjoy exclusively through URB.com.
From Volume1: The Political Economy – “Chapter 1: The Secret of Commercial Banking – Why They Hate On Entrepreneurs”
From Volume 2: The Business Principles: “Chapter 7 -: The Secret of Etiquette and Networking – The Culture Of Doing Business”
From Volume 3: The Personal Struggle: “Chapter 15: The Secret of Personal Relationships – The Entrepreneur And Those Around Them”
E-mail the author.
[...] Extra-credit reading for hungry entrepreneurs: URB’s exclusive 3-chapter excerpt from former Wu-Tang GM’s new book, The Entrepreneurial Secret [...]