Creating Success from the Inside Out: Develop the Focus and Strategy to Uncover the Life You Want »

Ephren W. Taylor II founded his first company at the age of twelve, became a millionaire at sixteen, and was the CEO of a multimillion-dollar public corporation by the age of twenty-three, one of the youngest CEOs to ever run a publicly traded company. His socially-conscious business vision has included building affordable urban housing and developing biofuels initiatives globally.

W. Emerson Brantley III is a thirty-year marketing and business growth consultant and CEO of Web3Direct. Author of dozens of books, courses, and thousands of marketing campaigns in all media, Brantley serves on Taylor's board and oversees all marketing activities for his company.

Creating Success from the Inside Out shares the truly inspiring story of Ephren Taylor, one of the world's youngest-ever CEOs of a publicly traded company. At twenty-five, he has been a preacher, entrepreneur, business owner, and chairman and CEO. He launched his first business at twelve and was a millionaire at sixteen.

It would be natural to assume that success at such a young age must be due to some special training or understanding. It's not. Taylor's success didn't come from formal education, but from solid values, principles, and the drive and desire to reach his goals. In Creating Success from the Inside Out, Taylor shares these concepts along with the necessary tools and inspiration to help you realize your own dreams.

Life offers a million excuses to give up and quit. Plenty of voices tell us we can't do it—that we aren't smart enough, fast enough, rich enough, or good-looking enough. Do you listen? Or do you turn away from those negative voices and follow your own passions and goals? You have the power to overcome them and succeed if you . . .

• Accept NO excuses and let nothing stand in the way of your dreams
• Get over your fears and self-doubt and choose success
• Develop the decisiveness and determination to achieve your goals
• Just say no to conventional wisdom! It's usually wrong
• Start a business as a tool to reach your dreams
• Find motivation in something other than money
• Achieve true and complete wealth by giving back to your community

If Ephren's fascinating and inspiring story teaches us anything, it's that we must ignore the stereotypes and expectations society thrusts upon us. Follow your own path and determine your own definition of success. The only real obstacles are the ones we create. Why not tear yours down? Start today—and create your own success from the inside out.

Preface     xi
Introduction: Who Am I, and Why Should You Care about What I Have to Share?     xv
A Disclaimer     xix
Begin Where You Are Now     01
Get Off of Yourself     13
Taking Responsibility for Your Own Life     21
The Black Hole of Excuses     26
I Don't Have the Money     33
I Don't Have the Time     51
I Don't Have an Education     66
I Don't Have Enough Information and Knowledge     74
I Don't Have the Experience     79
I Don't Have a Car     84
I'm Just Not Ready     86
The Dark Hall of Fear     89
The Magic Bullet: Self-Confidence     94
Two Kinds of Fear     101
Fear of Loss versus Hope of Gain     109
Choosing Failure; Choosing Success     110
Empowerment versus Victimhood     117
Responsibility and Power versus Blame and Powerlessness     122
Change Your Life, Break the Cycle     128
Forgiveness Is a Key to Overcoming     132
Get Uncomfortable and Face Your Fears     140
Conventional Wisdom Is Almost Always Wrong     144
Why Every Young Person Should Start a Business     151
I Just Don't Know What I Want to Do     154
Don't Wait until You're Old, or Even Grown Up     162
True Success and Giving Back: What Is True Success?     166
Socially-Conscious Investing     175
Getting What You Need to Succeed     179
How's Your Starter Switch?     181
Where to Get the Information and Knowledge You Need     185
Mentors     187
Don't Listen to Losers, Whiners, and Naysayers-Believe in Yourself     223
Epilogue: Dream Bigger Dreams     229
About Ephren W. Taylor II     233
Ephren W. Taylor II Timeline     237
About W. Emerson Brantley III     243
Index     245