Mike Smerklo - Mr. Monkey and Me

Mr. Monkey and Me is the truthful and oftentimes harrowing story of entrepreneurship that too often goes untold. Mike Smerklo goes through the many challenges in building ServiceSource into a successful public company, not the least of which is actually learning how to control the ever - present doubting voice inside himself.

Scott Kupor, managing partner of Andreessen Horowitz, author of Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It

A perfect encapsulation of the negative inner dialogue we have with ourselves and how to manage it.

Lynn Jurich, CEO and co-founder of Sunrun

By conquering self - doubt and using it to fuel your passion and attain your goals, Mr. Monkey and Me provides a thoughtful and provocative perspective on the entrepreneurial journey. This book is truly unique thanks to Mikes humor, mindset, and expertise.

Irv Grousbeck, adjunct professor of management at Stanford Graduate School of Business, co-founder, Stanford Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

Aspiring entrepreneurs, this book is a must read. It takes more than a brilliant idea and venture funding to make it as an entrepreneur, and in this book, Mike gives it to us straight. Mike shares his earned wisdom with humility, deep intelligence, and the comedy that makes this book such a thought - provoking and enjoyable read.

Jessica Herrin, CEO and founder of Stella & Dot, author of Find Your Extraordinary: Dream Bigger, Live Happier, and Achieve Success on Your Own Terms

Ive known Mike for almost two decades, both as an entrepreneur and more recently as an investor, and hes got a unique set of experiences upon which to base the wisdom of Mr. Monkey and Me. Anyone in the startup world can learn a lot from Mike!

Bruce Dunlevie, founder and general partner of Benchmark

Perhaps the toughest challenge of entrepreneurship has nothing to do with raising capital, scaling, or talent managementinstead its an ongoing battle between your ears with voices of doubt often ruling the day. In his new book, Mike Smerklo pulls back the curtain and gives an inside view on the battle so many face but rarely discussmental health.

Diane Tavenner, co-founder and CEO of Summit Public Schools, author of Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life

Mr. Monkey and Me gives a no - nonsense approach to entrepreneurship providing actionable and honest insight. Something most traditional business books dont do!

Amy Errett, CEO and founder of Madison Reed, partner of True Ventures

Mike Smerklo speaks to the heart of everyone whos been mulling that great business idea for years but just doesnt have the courage to start. He tackles the challenges that come with taking the plunge in his part - memoir - part - survival guide, Mr. Monkey and Me. This book is for anyone on the edge of the diving board, wanting to dive into entrepreneurship but just needs one final push.

Tom Lee, CEO and founder of Galileo

Mr. Monkey and Me is the perfect read for everyone who wants to know what running a business actually looks like before the million dollar company comes to fruition. Mike doesnt serve to discourage anyone from entering startup life; rather, he encourages his readers to take the risk and gives them all the right tools to succeed.

Julia Cheek, CEO and founder of EverlyWell

The world desperately needs more entrepreneurs. Mike Smerklo writes an important, deeply personal and quite entertaining book about one of the biggest challenges in being an entrepreneurmanaging your psyche along the very challenging but often rewarding entrepreneurial path. I wish Id been able to read this twenty years ago!

Jeff Jordan, general partner of Andreessen Horowitz, former president and CEO of OpenTable

Mike Smerklo has lived every facet of the real entrepreneur life. Bootstrapped. Venture - backed . Hyper - growth . IPO. Its extremely rare to find this frontline expertise in one entrepreneurand even rarer to find it in a single book. I highly recommend Mr. Monkey and Me to any entrepreneur, whether first - time founder or seasoned innovator. This book delivers candor, insights, inspiration, and results.

Jason Dorsey, multiple company founder and author of Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Businessand What To Do About It

The world needs entrepreneurs now more than ever to solve societys many challenges, but the standard advice on entrepreneurship completely misses the most fundamental tool required: the right mindset and the ability to persevere. In Mr. Monkey and Me, Smerklo delivers a no - nonsense , no buzzword look at what it is really like to be a startup founder. This is raw, real, and spoken - from - the - heart advice, and this is a must read for anyone daring enough to be a creative founder today.

Jon Callaghan, founder and managing partner of True Ventures

Mike weaves a spellbinding story that is sure to encourage the inner entrepreneur in all of us. I love the rare look into the hard scrabble upbringing of a man who has since triumphed in the business world; Smerklo inspires us all.

Brian Spaly, chairman of Tecovas, founder and CEO of Trunk Club

In Mr. Monkey and Me, Mike has laid out everything no one tells you about starting a business. Not only has he given clear, cliche - free guidance, but its an engaging read you wont want to put down. I cant recommend this book enough to anyone interested in entrepreneurship.

David Kennedy, founder and partner of Serent Capital

There isnt a day that I dont think about the great things Mike did as a CEO, along with the not great. I am extremely grateful for the lessons Mike taught meand so excited that with Mr. Monkey and Me, he is bringing these lessons to a wider audience.

Jay Ackerman, president and CEO of Reveleer

Mike keeps his readers grounded in reality in this practical and entertaining guide to the ups and downs of his own entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Monkey and Me. He shows young entrepreneurs a path to success that might look less glamorous than what you see on TV, but one that is well worn and time - tested by the most successful innovators in business.

Brian Sharples, co-founder and CEO of HomeAway

Mike hit the nail on the head with this oneall entrepreneurs should read Mr. Monkey and Me and share with a mentee. Powerful perspective and advice!

Jim Ellis, co-founder of Asurion, lecturer in management at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University

Any entrepreneur suffering from imposter syndrome needs to read Mr. Monkey and Me. Mike walks readers through what its like to move from a leader who feels like they are a play actor, trying to lead by imagining what other, more successful CEOs would do, to authentically pursuing the vision and direction that they think is best for an organization. Mike takes on the stereotype alpha male CEO and proves why all personalities have the potential to be great leaders.

Nirav Tolia, co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor

Mike makes entrepreneurship tangible, exciting, and fulfilling without the usual cliches. Mr. Monkey and Me isnt about simply flaunting his (very considerable) success, its also about vulnerability and sacrifice, preparing his audience for a unique approach to balancing life and workand steeling it against that occasional little voice inside that says, Youll never make it.

William N. Thorndike, Jr., managing general partner of Housatonic Partners, author of The Outsiders

Mr. Monkey and Me feels more like a casual conversation with your successful buddy than a guide to entrepreneurial success. Mike is equal parts hilarious, genuine, and informative in his one - of - a - kind book. He shares his personal successes and failures to help the next generation of founders develop the mental fortitude needed to achieve their dreams.