Sam Wyly, a self-made billionaire of Scottish and Irish descent, grew up in Louisiana and attended local schools before going to Louisiana Tech University to study journalism and accounting. He won a scholarship to the University of Michigan Business School, where he earned his MBA. Sam has been a working entrepreneur for nearly half a century.
Building Companies and a Billion-Dollar Fortune
Sam Wyly created best-of-breed companies on the leading edge of advancements in technology, energy, retail, and investments over a career spanning 45 years. Now this fast-paced, fascinating, and candid memoir reveals the creative process, relationships, and financial strategies behind his amazing entrepreneurial success. Here's the story of how, after his first job in which he broke sales records at IBM, he risked $1,000 of his savings to found the first "computer utility" and became a millionaire before he was thirty, and how he succeeded in:
- Waging an anti-monopoly battle against AT&T while building the first telephone company for computers
- Growing the modest Bonanza Steakhouse chain to 600 restaurants
- Creating software companies Sterling Software and Sterling Commerce (sold for $8 billion)
- Growing a small arts-and-crafts company into more than 900 Michaels stores
- Creating Green Mountain Energy, arguably the most profitable green business in America
Part autobiography and part inspirational business guide, 1,000 Dollars and an Idea is full of refreshing insights and homespun life lessons about what it takes to create, grow, and build successful companies.
What they are Saying
His book is an inspirational journey through the early years of on-line computing, the creation and growth of the software products industry and the many and diverse achievements of one of the most important entrepreneurs of the 20th century.
-Ross Perot
What's New?
Wall Street Journal Review
12.29.08 "Imagine Forrest Gump as smart and ambitious and you have the story of Texas billionaire Sam Wyly," writes the Wall Street Journal in a lengthy review of 1,000 Dollars and an Idea.
Listen to a Book Excerpt
09.23.08 Listen to Chapter One, excerpted from the audiobook edition of 1,000 Dollars and an Idea.
Associated Press Interview
09.14.08 Read a brand-new interview with Sam Wyly about his book and his work.
Video Interview
08.01.08 Watch Sam Wyly discuss his book 1,000 Dollars and an Idea in this 3-minute video.
