Episode · The Tim Ferriss Show · 2026-04-16
Books mentioned on #861: 4-Hour Workweek Success Story Brian Dean — From Dad’s Basement to Selling Two Companies
Brian Dean is the founder of Backlinko and Exploding Topics, both acquired by Semrush, which itself was recently acquired by Adobe for $1.9 billion.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
-
The 4-Hour Workweek
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss is a lifestyle design guide that encourages readers to escape the traditional nine-to-five and build automated online businesses.
Discussed“I'm thinking maybe because the impetus for this is somewhat around the connective tissue of the 4-Hour Workweek, should we just begin with how on earth you and the 4-Hour Workweek intersected?”
Where to get it
-
Built to Sell
Built to Sell by John Warrillow is a business guide designed to help entrepreneurs structure their companies so they can eventually exit and sell them successfully.
Recommended“I remember coming across, and I haven't read it in a long time, but a book by John Warlow called Built to Sell, which talks a bit about this, and I thought it was actually very good, like a very I don't want to say basic, but pretty sort of foundational primer for some of this stuff.”
Where to get it
-
Ready, Fire, Aim
Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson is a business and entrepreneurship guide that outlines practical strategies for building and scaling a successful company from the ground up.
Recommended“They're like totally green, then Ready, Fire, Aim is usually the book that I recommend. You familiar with that one? I've heard of it. Michael Masterson.”
Where to get it
