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It's a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring
As a burgeoning businessman in the 1980s, Steven Schussler stopped at nothing to make his dream of a tropical-themed restaurant come true, even turning his home into a rainforest-complete with indoor waterfall, life-size replica of an elephant and 40 tropical birds-in order to have a prototype to show potential investors. Drawing from his own life and business triumphs, Schussler offers would-be entrepreneurs a new way of utilizing creativity to achieve their dreams.
Schussler distills his principles for entrepreneurs on a budget, and also reveals the ways in which his lessons-from self-branding to developing strategic partnerships to giving recognition where recognition is due-can work in larger corporations. Just like his famous themed restaurants, Schussler's insights provide entertainment, education, and ample food for thought for all business people aspiring to their next level of success.
Schussler distills his principles for entrepreneurs on a budget, and also reveals the ways in which his lessons-from self-branding to developing strategic partnerships to giving recognition where recognition is due-can work in larger corporations. Just like his famous themed restaurants, Schussler's insights provide entertainment, education, and ample food for thought for all business people aspiring to their next level of success.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2010
17 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 30, 2022
I am not sure that I would ever become an entrepreneur, but I believe that many of the things that Steven Schussler discusses here can be applied to what we do in our lives in general. The insights provided can be generalized to daring and courageousness in our lives, a strong way to conduct one's life.
This was a good read, a good insight into the mind of an entrepreneur. I do not think that too many people understand what it means to be a good philanthropist, nor a good entrepreneur.
This was a good read, a good insight into the mind of an entrepreneur. I do not think that too many people understand what it means to be a good philanthropist, nor a good entrepreneur.
March 15, 2024
It’s a Jungle in There is an energizing read packed with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs. Schussler’s story is a testament to the impact of creativity, persistence, and a positive mindset in the face of challenges.
Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this book offers a rich source of inspiration and practical advice that can help you navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with a bit more confidence and a lot more enthusiasm.
Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this book offers a rich source of inspiration and practical advice that can help you navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with a bit more confidence and a lot more enthusiasm.
April 19, 2023
Schussler has such a unique story and has accomplished so many things with bold and creative thinking/strategy. It would've been great if he made the book a 'life story' book and focused on telling his upbringing, creating, building, and running his famous businesses. Instead he frames the book as an entrepreneurial 'help guide', so the book is filled with alot of 'entrepreneurial fluff and truisms' (chapters about the importance of 'passion', 'ambition', and 'first impressions' and as a result his really good life stories are few and far between. I would still read because of the uniqueness of his businesses and stories, but be prepared for the 'fluff'.
November 21, 2018
It’s hard to take seriously the business advice from a man who swears by weird antics (like being shipped in a barrel to a hiring manager’s office while wearing a Superman suit) as his secret to success. This book was tough to get through and I felt it missed on credibility due to the lack of continued success from his “wildly successful” restaurant chains that he refers to throughout the book.
July 29, 2017
I didn't agree with all the pure business advice, but there was some very interesting views on entrepreneurial/business creativity.
December 10, 2021
A good book that can inspire you to work harder and achieve your targets no matter how long it will take!
Highly recommended for anyone in 20s and 30s
Highly recommended for anyone in 20s and 30s
April 23, 2025
I bought this book at The Boathouse in Disney Springs. The author has strong Minnesota connections and I found it a good business book.
October 19, 2012
It's a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring by Steven Schussler, Marvin Karlins
A brutal black book. A grotesque gigantic gorilla. A cold compelling cover.
This is what attracted me to the book the first place – the external appearance that made this book stand out.
Then I began to wonder, could the content be the same….Something new? Different? Original?
Or would it sadly be one of those hard to read, difficult to understand and bore-unto-death kind of published business book but with a great marketing cover?
I searched for recommendations.
Interesting.
Lee Iacocca, Donald Trump, Harvey Mackay, Dr. Stephen Covey and a number of Vice Presidents & Chairpersons.
Ho hum…..What have I to lose? Let go ahead, buy it and read it.
So….on a quite Saturday night (mid-night actually), I began reading the book, hopefully to read a few chapters and then go off to sleep.
However, as it turned out to be – that was just an assumed plan-of-action.
It turned out that I could not put the book down.
It was simply and absolutely – an amazing book!
Consider this….
Do you think you could dress up in a Superman outfit, seal yourself in box only to be driven to the other side of town to be delivered to a perspective employer for an interview?
Do you think you would book the entire Disney amusement park with it characters just to propose to the woman you love?
Do you possibly imagine yourself, walking into a corporate meeting room filled with 500 people, taking a birthday cake, to celebrate the birthday of the Vice-President of Coca-Cola - with only two problems. He never knew you were going to do this. And worse – it was not his birthday.
My dear reader, welcome to ‘It’s a Jungle in there by Steven Schussler (with Marvin Karlins)’
Now, before you dismiss Steven Schussler as a nut-job and reckless stuntman, mind you, he is a rags to riches story with unparalleled business principles and rock-solid values which has earned him many friends and fans over the years. The creative methods mentioned here, were some of the many unpredictable persistent practice shots he took to achieve his goals – and surprisingly, he was successful in getting what he wanted.
What stood out in this book, was the writers sincerity, honesty and ability to admit failure. Each and every chapter was short, sweet and succinct and the points of wisdom - clear, concise and charismatic. And as a bonus, there was child-like humor present throughout the business book.
The only objection, surprisingly was the usage of a few clichéd examples like that of citing Abraham Lincoln and his repeated failures and yes, the typical ‘never-give-up’ and ‘believe-and-you-can-achieve’ motivational pep talk.
But we can’t be perfect now, can we? (I know. I am a bit in favor of this book!)
Having said that, this book was indeed a very rare treat I was able to give myself. To all those intellectual aficionados and business-minded connoisseurs , I highly recommend this book as a Brilliant, Entertaining, Wisdom-filled, Sincere and simple back-to-school experience – that would refresh, revive and reaffirm your commitment to yourself and to your dreams.
A very entertaining must read business book.
Overall rating – 9 out of 10
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
A brutal black book. A grotesque gigantic gorilla. A cold compelling cover.
This is what attracted me to the book the first place – the external appearance that made this book stand out.
Then I began to wonder, could the content be the same….Something new? Different? Original?
Or would it sadly be one of those hard to read, difficult to understand and bore-unto-death kind of published business book but with a great marketing cover?
I searched for recommendations.
Interesting.
Lee Iacocca, Donald Trump, Harvey Mackay, Dr. Stephen Covey and a number of Vice Presidents & Chairpersons.
Ho hum…..What have I to lose? Let go ahead, buy it and read it.
So….on a quite Saturday night (mid-night actually), I began reading the book, hopefully to read a few chapters and then go off to sleep.
However, as it turned out to be – that was just an assumed plan-of-action.
It turned out that I could not put the book down.
It was simply and absolutely – an amazing book!
Consider this….
Do you think you could dress up in a Superman outfit, seal yourself in box only to be driven to the other side of town to be delivered to a perspective employer for an interview?
Do you think you would book the entire Disney amusement park with it characters just to propose to the woman you love?
Do you possibly imagine yourself, walking into a corporate meeting room filled with 500 people, taking a birthday cake, to celebrate the birthday of the Vice-President of Coca-Cola - with only two problems. He never knew you were going to do this. And worse – it was not his birthday.
My dear reader, welcome to ‘It’s a Jungle in there by Steven Schussler (with Marvin Karlins)’
Now, before you dismiss Steven Schussler as a nut-job and reckless stuntman, mind you, he is a rags to riches story with unparalleled business principles and rock-solid values which has earned him many friends and fans over the years. The creative methods mentioned here, were some of the many unpredictable persistent practice shots he took to achieve his goals – and surprisingly, he was successful in getting what he wanted.
What stood out in this book, was the writers sincerity, honesty and ability to admit failure. Each and every chapter was short, sweet and succinct and the points of wisdom - clear, concise and charismatic. And as a bonus, there was child-like humor present throughout the business book.
The only objection, surprisingly was the usage of a few clichéd examples like that of citing Abraham Lincoln and his repeated failures and yes, the typical ‘never-give-up’ and ‘believe-and-you-can-achieve’ motivational pep talk.
But we can’t be perfect now, can we? (I know. I am a bit in favor of this book!)
Having said that, this book was indeed a very rare treat I was able to give myself. To all those intellectual aficionados and business-minded connoisseurs , I highly recommend this book as a Brilliant, Entertaining, Wisdom-filled, Sincere and simple back-to-school experience – that would refresh, revive and reaffirm your commitment to yourself and to your dreams.
A very entertaining must read business book.
Overall rating – 9 out of 10
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
July 14, 2024
This will always be one of my favorite entrepreneurship-related business books ever. This man is a delight, and has a surprising infectious, childlike energy and wonder that permeates his book. He's a relatively uncomplicated, plainspoken man. But he's disarmingly fun, sweet, and full of a sincere verve and zest for life. On a technical level, he is not someone to turn to in terms of the content of this book. But as a supplemental chaser to more nitty-gritty ones, his can be a very fun weekend read. That is, if you consider reading entrepreneurial book 'fun' on a Saturday, weekend, or beach day. If you like all of the aforementioned, then read it. But if you're just looking for strategy or something more academic, skip it; his book—particularly if read alongside listening to the audio book—is more for boosting morale and affirming that the entrepreneurial spirit is a beautiful thing.
November 26, 2010
An inspiring story of Steve Schussler's life as an entrepreneur. Steve is a new friend and the creator of the Rainforest Cafes as well as many other imaginative restaurants located in Disney theme parks and elsewhere.
Steve's life is a passionate embrace of all things possible if you will go after them 100%. Excellent book for any entrepreneur, like myself, or someone wanting to get to the next stage in their life successfully and with enthusiasm!
Excellent read. Recommend it to everyone wanting to be successful or happy or both!
Steve's life is a passionate embrace of all things possible if you will go after them 100%. Excellent book for any entrepreneur, like myself, or someone wanting to get to the next stage in their life successfully and with enthusiasm!
Excellent read. Recommend it to everyone wanting to be successful or happy or both!
Currently reading
March 1, 2011Only 100 pages into it and I am addicted. It is entertaining and inspiring.
August 19, 2012
An inspiring and entertaining read. Steven takes the readers to his amusing world of entrepreneurship. We get see his gimmicks, his struggle and his triumphs. Motivating..
October 11, 2012
Nothing new, but good for starting entrepreneurs.
August 30, 2012
A great read! Also by my bed and signed by Schussler "Dear Stephanie - I know you will make it! Never - ever - ever give up...no matter what! No is YES, waiting to happen!"
December 12, 2012
exelente e inspiradora historia sobre la creacion de Rainforest Cafe
October 26, 2013
A great read. It's an easy, funny read full of good advice and wonderful anecdotes every entrepreneur can learn from. Inspirational.
October 30, 2013
Very compelling and inspiring, had my mind stewing with ideas by then end of it all!
May 26, 2014
Very positive, some interesting stories, lots of good quotes and points on the faculties required by a successful entrepreneur.
January 20, 2016
Hunter Thompson embodied gonzo journalism; Schussler embodies gonzo entrepreneurship
July 5, 2016
A quick and entertaining read, but there's nothing new about entrepreneurship that I didn't really know before.
March 29, 2017
Unlike other self-help books, he has also provided his examples, many of his ideas which are quite interesting. Found something new in it and will definitely try to act upon few of the newly learned life lessons. The practice of self-examination questions is very good.
Read
January 30, 2019Quick Read.Unpretentious. Raw. Funny.
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\nIf you know you have 1 hour of waiting time sometime during your next travel, take this book along. You wont waste an hour of your life, well, just waiting.
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\nA reader of this book commented " it starts getting preachy in the second half"...so if you know of overconfident mavericks and cool dudes who know it ALL, gift them this book.It will knock some good stuff inside their heads and do the world a huge favor.
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\nThank you Mr Schussler for being downright crazy.Corporate world needs more like you.
\n
\n
\nIf you know you have 1 hour of waiting time sometime during your next travel, take this book along. You wont waste an hour of your life, well, just waiting.
\n
\nA reader of this book commented " it starts getting preachy in the second half"...so if you know of overconfident mavericks and cool dudes who know it ALL, gift them this book.It will knock some good stuff inside their heads and do the world a huge favor.
\n
\nThank you Mr Schussler for being downright crazy.Corporate world needs more like you.
\n
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews