the personal MBA

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman is a practical guide to mastering essential business skills without the need for a traditional MBA. This book challenges the high cost and limited returns of formal business school, offering instead a self-directed approach grounded in real-world knowledge.

Kaufman breaks business down into key areas: value creation, marketing, sales, value delivery, finance, and the human mind. Teaching readers how to think like entrepreneurs and effective managers. He emphasizes mental models and foundational principles over jargon and theory, aiming to build practical judgment and decision-making.

Rather than following a linear narrative, the book is structured as a collection of concise, interconnected concepts. Each idea is easy to digest, from the “Iron Law of the Market” to the “5 Parts of Every Business,” helping readers see the mechanics behind successful companies.

At its core, The Personal MBA empowers readers to take control of their education and career. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs, self-starters, and curious professionals who want business fluency without the debt or time commitment of a traditional MBA. Kaufman argues that with discipline, reading, and deliberate practice, anyone can gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in business, on their own terms.