Shoveling $h!t audiobook cover - A Love Story about the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success

Shoveling $h!t

A Love Story about the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success

Kass Lazerow, Michael Lazerow

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Categories:
Career & SuccessEntrepreneurshipPersonal DevelopmentMotivation & Inspiration

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Mind Map

Shoveling $h!t
The Entrepreneurial Reality+
The Nonexistent Work-Life Balance+
Solving the People Problem+
The 'Go Gauge' (Evaluating Ideas)+
Fundraising (Feeding the Baby)+
Execution & Focus+
Pivoting & Endurance+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What is the authors' primary perspective on work-life balance for entrepreneurs?
  • A. It can be easily achieved with proper time management and delegation.
  • B. You can only do one thing really well at a time, meaning personal relationships and health will likely suffer if you prioritize your business.
  • C. Maintaining a strict 9-to-5 schedule is the only way to prevent founder burnout.
  • D. Work-life balance is easily maintained if you choose a solo venture rather than working with a cofounder.
Question 2 of 7
According to the authors, what is the most important factor when deciding to work with a cofounder?
  • A. Ensuring they have the exact same technical skill set as you do to double productivity.
  • B. Choosing someone with a significantly larger professional network than yours.
  • C. Ensuring you are aligned on vision, values, communication, mindset, and workload.
  • D. Finding someone who is willing to fund the majority of the initial startup costs.
Question 3 of 7
When assessing the 'financial model' aspect of the Go Gauge, what specific advice do Kass and Mike give to entrepreneurs?
  • A. Create a comprehensive 40-page financial projection to show to potential venture capitalists.
  • B. Rely entirely on venture capital rather than bootstrapping the initial costs yourself.
  • C. Assume your revenue will double every quarter for the first two years of operation.
  • D. Cut your projected revenue in half and double your projected expenses.
Question 4 of 7
How should founders view the process of fundraising, according to the book?
  • A. As a last resort only to be used when the company is failing.
  • B. As offering investors an opportunity rather than asking for a favor.
  • C. As a necessary evil that should be delegated to a hired financial officer.
  • D. As a simple task because venture capitalists always act in the founder's best interest.
Question 5 of 7
In the 'gallon jug' metaphor for company priorities, what does the 'sand' represent?
  • A. The major organizational priorities that drive the business, like sales and hiring.
  • B. The medium-term tasks that will become critical in the next twelve months.
  • C. The unexpected crises that threaten to shut down the business entirely.
  • D. The necessary but non-differentiating daily tasks, like paying payroll and filing taxes.
Question 6 of 7
How do the authors suggest entrepreneurs handle the fear of pivoting their business model?
  • A. By asking themselves, 'What is the worst thing that can happen if I do this?'
  • B. By sticking strictly to the original business plan no matter what the market does.
  • C. By immediately selling the company before its overall value drops further.
  • D. By waiting for a competitor to make a similar move first to validate the idea.
Question 7 of 7
What is the core metaphor of 'shoveling $h!t' meant to convey about entrepreneurship?
  • A. That most initial business ideas are terrible and need to be discarded.
  • B. That the entrepreneurial journey is filled with unglamorous, difficult, and constant hard work.
  • C. That dealing with angry and difficult customers is the primary job of a founder.
  • D. That founders must be willing to use ruthless tactics to crush their competition.

Shoveling $h!t — Full Chapter Overview

Shoveling $h!t Summary & Overview

Shoveling $h!t (2025) is an honest look at the realities of being an entrepreneur. Too many entrepreneurs walk into the business world, not realizing it involves a lot more shit-shoveling and less champagne-popping than social media would have them think. Fortunately, you can go in prepared thanks to these lessons from high-growth founders who’ve just about seen it all. 

Who Should Listen to Shoveling $h!t?

  • New entrepreneurs or people fantasizing about becoming one
  • Risk-taking investors who want to fund entrepreneurial dreams
  • Anyone fascinated by the “backstage” of the business world

About the Author: Kass Lazerow, Michael Lazerow

Kass and Mike Lazerow are the founders of three high-growth startups, including Golf.com and Buddy Media – the world’s leading social media marketing platform, which sold to Salesforce in 2012 for $745 million. With their venture capital firm, Velvet Sea Ventures, they’re active investors and advisors in hundreds of startups, including Facebook, Tumblr, and Liquid Death.

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