Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom

Carrie Wilkerson

3.79 · Rating details · 613 ratings · 75 reviews

Carrie Wilkerson offers the opportunity to live life on your terms. Want to start your workday with e-mail and coffee on the back patio? Want the flexibility of joining your fourth grader on an all-day field trip? Are you ready to take that vacation you've been planning for years? Then you have a choice to make, and "The Barefoot Executive" will help jump-start your transi Carrie Wilkerson offers the opportunity to live life on your terms. Want to start your workday with e-mail and coffee on the back patio? Want the flexibility of joining your fourth grader on an all-day field trip? Are you ready to take that vacation you've been planning for years? Then you have a choice to make, and "The Barefoot Executive" will help jump-start your transition. You'll learn: Your "why." The most important question. Why do you want to work for yourself? What type of business best suits your experience and talents. How to stay focused on your goal and avoid distractions. Where to find the support that will accelerate your success. How to link your business to the right market. Whether it's a service, a product, or your insight or expertise, you already have the raw materials necessary to transform your life. Carrie will walk you through the process of building the business you need to achieve the life you want. Her guidance is practical. No philosophical silliness, no theoretical abstractions- just concrete action steps alongside insights from fellow entrepreneurs, interactive exercises, and links to Carrie's online video coaching segments. It's the next best thing to working one-on-one with her. "The Barefoot Executive" will have you energized by the possibilities and embracing the extraordinary life that is well within your reach.
DISCOVER what you already have to offer, how to use it to your advantage, and where to find the people who are eager to buy it. "The Barefoot Executive" will pull you over the hurdle of uncertainty and get you moving, planning, "doing."

What Others Are Saying:

"Carrie Wilkerson has done a great job with this book, and she's personally helped me make tons of money with my business. I highly recommend this book!" - Chris Brogan, president, Human Business Works, and publisher of chrisbrogan.com

"There has never been a better time to turn your passions into income. But just having an idea doesn't mean you're ready to order business cards just yet. Carrie Wilkerson's "The Barefoot Executive" walks you through the process of developing your idea, finding your audience, and setting yourself up for a lifetime of success doing the work you love for the hardest boss you'll ever have... yourself!" - Dave Ramsey, host of The Dave Ramsey Show and best-selling author of "The Total Money Makeover"

"""One of the best ways to achieve success is to learn from someone who has already done it. If you are looking to build a viable, sustainable, and lucrative business from home- or anywhere else- Carrie Wilkerson is your example, and her new book will show you the way." - Tim Sanders, author of "Today We Are Rich" and former CSO at Yahoo!

"A lot of books can fire up an entrepreneur. But a lot of those books leave readers high and dry when it comes to practical application. Enthusiasm isn't enough. You need a plan and the tools to build with. Carrie Wilkerson's guidance provides just that. Combine that with her enthusiasm, warmth, and core values, and you have someone very real to learn from. As my dad says, 'a great book needs to cover the Why and the How.' This is a great book. I know that when Carrie advises Ziglar, Inc. on marketing ideas, we get results." - Tom Ziglar, CEO and proud son of Zig Ziglar

"If you're dreaming of building a business on your terms, then you'll absolutely love Carrie Wilkerson." - Tory Johnson, CEO, Women For Hire and "New York Times" best-selling author ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published August 22nd 2011 by HarperCollins Leadership

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Barefoot Executive, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Barefoot Executive

Lists with This Book

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Entrepreneurs' Book Club Reading List

345 books — 539 voters

The Barefoot Executive by Carrie Wilkerson

The group's audiobooks

3 books — 1 voter

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.79 ·

Rating details

· 613 ratings · 75 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom

May 23, 2019 Donna rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

I have had this book for what seems like forever and I finally got around to listening to it. The author did a great job with her own narration. Her voice was pleasant and she was positive and encouraging. As I listened to this, I kept thinking about someone in particular who might benefit from this. So that was enough to pull in my complete attention. While some of this I thought would be useful for him, I not sure all of it would be.

There were a few things that effected me negatively. I'll ju ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 31, 2018 Vlad rated it did not like it

A guidebook for people who would pursue not a single million-dollar idea, but a million single-dollar ideas, as the author suggests. I'm not so sure that's sound advice, but overall this book's got a lot of decent guidance for people who want to transition from "barefoot and pregnant" to "barefoot and profitable" through some sort of work-from-home business. I think weaning oneself from the corporate salary teat is something more folks should aspire to, so I can't disagree with the goal, I just ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 16, 2019 Holly Davis rated it it was amazing

An incredibly helpful book for a newbie entrepreneur who doesn't know anything about starting their own business. My goal is to create passive income and this book has given me the tools to do just that. Everything was well thought-out and explained clearly. I'm excited to implement these strategies! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 13, 2019 Vern Harrison rated it did not like it

One long repetitive infomercial.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 30, 2012 Cheryl Malandrinos rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The Barefoot Executive isn't a how-to book that takes you step-by-step through how to start your own business. Instead, it is a book that motivates and encourages your dreams. You'll discover how to take skills you already have, determine what business model you're interested in, and how to be successful in the marketplace. Even in crowded markets you can be successful because you are unique and offer your own unique perspective. You can provide the answers to the questions people are asking.

Wi ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2012 penny shima glanz rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-nypl, business

I was pleasantly surprised. There are lots you can gloss over but there are nuggets that stopped me short and made me rethink my mindset. It isn't syrupy, it isn't all "look-at-me! I make X million a day and I suckered you into buying (or library borrowing) and taking the time (aka $) to read it and there isn't much in it". There is much in it. While the book isn't perfect (something about it is tugging at me but I'm not yet able to define what), it can appeal to a range of individuals, no matte ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Jonquil rated it it was ok

Shelves: work-related

Some good ideas and motivational passages buried by too much repetition; I got tired of hearing about weight loss and paying off huge debt and spending time with children. The author should have enough anecdotes from her long, successful career as a coach to make her points with a new story each time rather than repeatedly citing her 100 pound weight loss. I understand the premise that our personal challenges, victories and experience are logical jumping off points for starting a business but th ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 29, 2011 Shannah marked it as to-read

I am wondering if this book would be worth adding to the list of an entrepreneur's book club for reading in the upcoming year... ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 27, 2017 Sotiris Makrygiannis rated it it was ok

Shelves: audio-book, internet, public-library

3 stars if you are a mom and you want an extra income from blogs or affiliate networks. On my notes, I had only one good tip but then again I'm reading way too many books like this. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 19, 2019 Richard rated it it was ok

Shelves: audiobook, self-help, biography, non-fiction, financial

My opening thought, Carrie Wilkerson is very careful with how she has crafted her image.... Go ahead, do a google search. If you thought Beyonce wanted that photo gone, it seems like Carrie has done a better job of removing any negative, or non-business information about herself from the web. It seems interesting because her 'brand' is to seem personable and like your best friend or solid compatriot, and yet, she exists in a bubble of just her work, and just what she wants to show of her work. I My opening thought, Carrie Wilkerson is very careful with how she has crafted her image.... Go ahead, do a google search. If you thought Beyonce wanted that photo gone, it seems like Carrie has done a better job of removing any negative, or non-business information about herself from the web. It seems interesting because her 'brand' is to seem personable and like your best friend or solid compatriot, and yet, she exists in a bubble of just her work, and just what she wants to show of her work. It is odd for someone even with her level of fame. Finding a simple answer such as what businesses does she run / have a part in / have in her past all lead directly back to links to one of her books, websites, or podcasts. Whomever she has outsourced IT / Image management to is doing an AMAZING job.

On a technical level, I'm not an audiophile, but the audio for the audiobook needed some work. There were some jarring changes in quality and sound. It seemed like she really did just pop open her phone / computer and speak at it.

Personally, when I picked this book up, I did not know she was a 'christian author', and I was happy she had a low jesus per min / god is great level in the book, but it was still odd for me to hear her proclaim how she made herself, and then give thanks to jesus. Also the southern did not work for me, YMMV.

Now as for the substance of the book.... it was light, but it seems more like a motivational book than a here is what you need to do. She did have some solid tips and things that could be implemented right away, but there was some of it that is just crap. She was light on it, but she pointed at Multi-Level Marketing as a job to try / start to get your first business up and running. There has been a decent amount of research that this is a pretty bad piece of advice, unless you are on the ground floor, and you are not 'getting high on your own supply'. Additionally, as I went through, there were many times that I kept wondering if she had contradicted herself or her story about her life. I did not have enough interest to try to find the previous mentions though. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 09, 2018 Kelvin Kao rated it liked it

Upbeat, pleasant book on starting a business. It's a good, concise review / introduction. Nothing revolutionary, though, if you've read books in this genre, but really it's all about the tone and story, right? In terms of a framework to refer back to, chapters 17, 18, and 19 are good for that. The first half of the book is motivational stuff that, if this isn't your first book in this genre, is just preaching to the choir. ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 21, 2020 Katherine G. MacRae rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

While this book was written in 2011 and I wish I would have read it then, (and the reference links to her videos and resources are no longer under the barefoot executive brand), just about every piece of advice in an avalanche of good business counsel Carrie Wilkerson offers, in her most enthusiastic way, still holds true today. This is one of THE best business books to give you that swift well placed kick you needed. Highly recommended.

flag Like · see review

Feb 09, 2018 Piritta rated it liked it · review of another edition

For some reason I was expecting a lighter approach to self-made six figures (for once a book that only promes 999.999 monies tops, not millions) but this was same old same old in the internet era. Nothing new, and once again it's clear that one doesn't get successful by listening to a book about entrepreneurship. Maybe repetition is the key? ...more

flag Like · see review

Mar 24, 2019 Zsolt Parnaki rated it it was ok

I really wanted to like this book, and while it was inspiring, it was full of banalities and false promises. TLDR: the route to success is to be very good at something, or write a book about your route to success as a writer/speaker.

flag Like · see review

Jul 29, 2017 Barry Ryan rated it it was amazing

I need all the help I can get and Carrie Wilkerson is rooting for me ^_^

flag Like · see review

Aug 02, 2017 Kenna rated it it was ok

This was different than what I expected. Didn't love it. ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 10, 2017 Ryan Barnum rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: stopped-reading

It was okay.

Good stories and some inspiration and how-to, but with too much repetition and poor writing skills. She should have edited it more before sending it to the publisher.

flag Like · see review

Nov 20, 2017 Kesavan Hariharasubramanian rated it it was amazing

Useful tips and food for thought for kick-starting your own venture!

flag Like · see review

May 31, 2018 Melody Warnick rated it really liked it

A good starter guide for people who want to think of themselves as entrepreneurs.

flag Like · see review

Jun 30, 2018 John Randall rated it liked it

This was a good book with lots of good information but just not exceptional or above average. Easy read.

flag Like · see review

Jul 03, 2018 Doris Swift rated it it was amazing

Carrie Wilderson will kick your butt! Can I say that? Inspiring, challenging, and motivating this book has a powerful message and love the personal stories she shares.

flag Like · see review

May 12, 2019 Chris Castillo rated it it was amazing

Great book, the author gives a good introduction on ways to start your business.

flag Like · see review

Aug 08, 2019 Wendy Orvis rated it liked it

Shelves: business

It’s an okay book for a person getting into direct sales who lacks experience but really covers nothing new in the field of entrepreneurship.

flag Like · see review

Aug 21, 2019 Laney Hill rated it liked it

Not a lot of new information, but a lot of reminders about what it takes to grow a strong business

flag Like · see review

Apr 27, 2020 Nikki rated it liked it

Nice to listen to. Very broad stroke advice.

flag Like · see review

Mar 17, 2012 Theresa rated it really liked it

Review cross-posted on my blog
In the Barefoot Executive, Carrie Wilkerson gives the reader practical business advice, from her own personal experience. She presents real applications and practical techniques using interactive, thought-provoking questions and exercises throughout, it’s like having your own personal coaching session on-demand, in book format. She takes the reader through the process of starting their own business, from investigating their options and skill sets all the way to crea Review cross-posted on my blog
In the Barefoot Executive, Carrie Wilkerson gives the reader practical business advice, from her own personal experience. She presents real applications and practical techniques using interactive, thought-provoking questions and exercises throughout, it’s like having your own personal coaching session on-demand, in book format. She takes the reader through the process of starting their own business, from investigating their options and skill sets all the way to creating their own financial and work life freedom, based on what that looks like to them, not what it looks like to everyone else.

Beginning with their motives for starting a business, she asks the hard questions and encourages the aspiring entrepreneur to take a look at why they want to start a business. Helping the reader to break through to the deepest reasons, moving them past the superficial reason of “to make money” – encouraging them to be very specific in their “why”. She helps them map out their own personal plan, one that fits their motives, encompasses their options, skill set, personal interests, abilities and unique offerings.

This book is not only for those wanting to start a business, it’s also inspirational for those already in business for themselves. It’s full of practical advice and techniques designed to help those with an established business to develop other streams of income. No matter where you are in your own business you’re sure to find plenty of inspiration to build new income streams and ideas to strengthen your established endeavors.

Sprinkled throughout the book you’ll find “Barefoot Action Steps” which contain a web address for a supplemental video to watch and then a brief action step to take. These are designed to encourage, educate and make you think. You will also read many “Barefoot Case Studies” throughout the book, these are case studies of her friends, colleagues and clients that have their own businesses and they share their stories with the reader. These are meant to inspire, encourage and stimulate thought.

The book lays out the business process from idea to income, and gives tips and advice on how to implement each step of the process. This is a step by step process you can do today to help you define and set clear business goals. This is not a cookie-cutter business model, nor is it a get rich quick scheme – this book is designed to help you personalize your business model specifically for you and your business.

The author encourages the reader to use the book to their advantage, suggesting that they read the Introduction and then return to the Table of Contents to decide what to read first, based on where you are in your business process and where you want to begin or focus. She gives you TONS of food for thought and generates an avalanche of questions you should be asking yourself about your business. You then take all your answers and work out your own personalized business model.

Normally when I read a book for review purposes, I read for content. This usually entails much skimming of the material, looking for the main points, because I am on a deadline. With this book, I just couldn’t do that. There is so much practical, useful information on nearly every page of this book, I was continually drawn in deeper. I took 7 pages of notes while reading this book. SEVEN!!! I found myself wishing I had requested a hard copy, instead of the e-book version. It would have made it so much easier for me to put sticky notes and flags on all the pages and passages I found information useful to me and my business. I am so impressed and inspired by all that this book has to offer, I plan to go out and buy a hard copy. This is one book I know I’ll return to again and again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Living Your Moment. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 22, 2012 Alain Burrese rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed “The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom” by Carrie Wilkerson. It's an inspiring and motivating read that encourages the reader to be their own boss and achieve financial freedom by growing their own business. There are some good lessons here, but mostly it is a book that opens the reader's eyes to possibilities and points them toward greater achievement if they believe and take action on those possibilities.

The book is divided I enjoyed “The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom” by Carrie Wilkerson. It's an inspiring and motivating read that encourages the reader to be their own boss and achieve financial freedom by growing their own business. There are some good lessons here, but mostly it is a book that opens the reader's eyes to possibilities and points them toward greater achievement if they believe and take action on those possibilities.

The book is divided into five main parts. The first, The Myth Breakers, contains chapters that focus on ideas such as job security and retirement being fairy tales, and why you must own your own business to truly become financially successful. The second part has three chapters on what Wilkerson calls The Three Big Mistakes. These are chasing someone else's dream, chasing too many rabbits, and chasing dollars. Both of these parts will motivate you to become your own boss and chase your own dreams.

Part three, The Methods, provides chapters that provide ideas on the mindset and resources needed to create your own business to pursue. These include the mindset of success, taking massive action, masterminding, finding a mentor, and doing your research. The fourth part, The Models, contains different business models for you to choose from to create your business. These are service based, expertise based, knowledge based, good based, referral based, and finally multiple streams of income once you have at least one firmly planted.

The final and fifth part of the book, The Marketplace, contains five chapters on finding a place to sell what you decide to sell as your business. These are who wants what you have, ideas to income, where will they find you, building your audience, and where will you find them.

Again, the book is very motivating and inspiring. The author also included links to short on-line videos to reinforce some of her messages. (The ones I watched were the same message as in the book, but you get to see her live telling it.)

The book doesn't contain the nitty gritty down in the trenches steps a person will have to take to start a business and build it to a success. But rather, gives a broad overview of the possibilities and provides encouragement and guidance as to what general directions a person may take, and things to include along the way.

Again, I enjoyed the book and feel Wilkerson shared some good advice for the would be self-employed business owner to think about and act upon. If you've been thinking of starting out on your own to pursue your dreams, The Barefoot Executive just might give you the shot of motivation you need to get started. ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 27, 2012 F. rated it really liked it

I am a big believer that you can always learn. And you should always be learning. So, when I was sent a copy of The Barefoot Executive: The ULTIMATE MANUAL For Being Your Own Boss & Achieving Financial Freedom to review, I was excited to start reading it because I can always learn from one of my main topics that I blog about and podcast about: business.

Business is such a broad topic that you can write tons about it from all sorts of views and perspectives. Author Carrie Wilkerson, founder/owner ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 Nicole Elliott rated it really liked it

Shelves: own

I am a proud barefoot executive. After my first child was born I found myself growing tired of spending hours of my day perusing Facebook, watching Sesame Street, and going through the motions. Now, don't get me wrong! First and for most I am a wife and a mommy, and I love love LOVE both of these things! In fact it was my love of these things that had me determine to be a stay at home mom. I found myself wanting more though, I knew that with my skills and with all that is available to me today w ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 04, 2013 Sally Ferguson rated it it was amazing

Several months ago, I read The Barefoot Executive by Carrie Wilkerson, and am still processing all of the information contained in that one volume. It got me really excited because it’s packed with practical tips and necessary tools to run your own business, but it also really frustrated me because I want to try everything at once! Wilkerson would say “whoa” to that idea. Her mantra is to try one thing at a time until it becomes profitable.

For anyone who wants to expand their income, there come ...more

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 next »