Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman

 I started listening to Josh Kaufman's book, Personal MBA. The book resonates with me because I have always believed in continuous education. Too many people get degrees and then stop learning. On the other hand, many who never get a degree still find success. Josh argues that a person can learn just as much on their own and save a quarter million dollars in today’s money. As of 2025, Harvard costs $76,410 annually, and it takes six years to get there. Furthermore, people admitted to an MBA program are already pre-selected, meaning they would likely succeed in life regardless of attending. So, if you do get an MBA, the only guaranteed outcome is that you’ll owe a lot of money.

Of course, I’m not suggesting anyone stop studying; quite the opposite—you should study continuously. I have some gaps in my business education, which is why I picked up this book. I look forward to sharing what I learn here.

I had the rare privilege of attending the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business entrepreneurship course about ten years ago. I won’t lie; it felt good. However, after all these years, I realize that the problems discussed in class were often generic and somewhat naïve. Real-life issues, whether you’re a founder, executive, or manager, are far more complex. They require deep domain knowledge and collaborative teamwork across various, sometimes competing, departments.