Truly Original »

A ride with Truly Nolen is an adventure, and Truly shares the journey of his life in this book. Truly grew up during the Depression and by the age of 10 was working and earning his own money. Truly left home at the age of 16, sailing his 21-foot sailboat from Miami to Annapolis. Always independent, he lived on his own and started several businesses, eventually graduating from college and joining the family pest control company. Truly and his father clashed over Truly's business ideas, however, and he decided to start his own company.

Before he could act on his decision, in 1952 Truly contracted polio. After several weeks in an iron lung fighting for his life, he emerged with strengthened resolve to live, prosper, and be happy. Truly battled to recover, then headed west to Tucson, Arizona, to start his pest control business. Now with more than $72 million in annual net revenue and locations across the nation and in 38 countries, Truly Nolen is one of the top ten companies in the $6 billion pest control industry. The company's distinctive advertising, bright yellow cars fitted with large mouse ears and tails, and over one hundred classic cars emblazoned with the Truly Nolen name all publicize the brand with a sense of innovation and humor that epitomizes Truly himself.

In addition to recounting notable aspects of Truly's life, the book offers inspiration blended with advice on starting and growing entrepreneurial ventures. The story includes Truly's passion for excitement and fun, taking you on flying adventures to remote parts of Central and South America, scuba diving in Panama and Mexico, and other memorable events. It also describes Truly's battle with polio and how he survived to start his own business. Truly's story will inspire readers to surmount life's challenges and to enjoy life to the fullest.