The Visionary Entrepreneur Who’s Bringing History to the Business World!
Phil Masiello loves marinating on business themes like marketing, ecommerce and AI. But the broader expanse of entrepreneurism is his sweet honey nectar and the subject of his newly released book, “Empires and Entrepreneurs: How Business Shaped the World: Stories of Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship Throughout History.
In it, Masiello chronicles six historic eras (Ancient Egypt, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, 19th and 20th Century) unearthing common qualities that all entrepreneurs possess:
Passion
Creativity
Innovation
Risk Taking
Resilience
Interpersonal skills
Visionary
Resourceful
From Pharaoh Djoser (2686-2134 BC) commissioning the pyramids to the present day CEO Jack Ma and his trailblazing achievements with China’s e-commerce company Alibaba, Masiello shares stories highlighting how entrepreneurs think and work when it comes to making their dreams a reality.
Featuring inspiring accounts of risk-taking and innovation from the minds of some of the most prolific entrepreneurs over time, this book encourages you to think about what it means to be entrepreneurial while arming you with the relevant insight for launching your own successful venture.
As the founder and CEO of CrunchGrowth Revenue Acceleration Agency, Masiello has a long history of success in the business world. With experience in Ecommerce, mobile application marketing, Amazon Seller marketing and more, Mr. Masiello has been a leader in disruptive business models since his first startup at the age of 25.
He writes in his book:
“Entrepreneurship is not a new concept. While the word itself was first used in the 18th century, entrepreneurs have existed since the dawn of civilization. Some of the most successful business ventures in the world were started during ancient times.”
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Please share a little about you and your entrepreneurial journey?
Masiello: My entrepreneurial journey began when I was 27 years old. That’s when I founded my first business which was a disaster from an operating standpoint. I sold it after 3 ½ years, took the money and went to Grad School at the University of Maryland where I got my MBA in Marketing and Finance. From there, I went on to found The Daily Market food stores, Raw Beauty with Carol Alt, 800Razors and now CrunchGrowth
What sparked your decision to write “Empire and Entrepreneurs”?
Masiello: I love entrepreneurship and love entrepreneurs. One day I read an article that popped up on a history website about an Egyptian named Phohotep and how he may have been the first documented “entrepreneur”, although the term wasn’t being used yet. Then I began researching others who possessed the same entrepreneurial passion. That’s why I wrote the book.
In your book you explore the genesis of entrepreneurship during ancient times and how entrepreneurs have grown, adopted and evolved over the centuries. Were there any findings that particularly surprised you?
Masiello: What I was recognizing as I was doing research is the impact entrepreneurs had on building economies and growing cultures. This occurred early on before the ones we so often hear about. Even before people like Ford and Musk. We’re talking about a place like Ancient Egypt where Phothotep figured out how to build trade routes that elevated the economy of his country and, ultimately, his people.
What were your biggest discoveries while researching the book?
Masiello: From maritime trade to scientific and philosophical advancements, entrepreneurship in Ancient Greece continues to shape the world as we know it today.
Then there were the outstanding contributions of Ancient Roman entrepreneurs, primarily their engineering feats, many of which remained unsurpassed for centuries. The Romans were known for constructing aqueducts, bridges, and roads that facilitated trade and commerce throughout the empire. In fact, many of their infrastructure projects are still in use today. Entrepreneurs used these engineering achievements to establish trade routes in the Mediterranean and beyond that extended from modern-day England to China.
I also explored the middle ages and the development of the movable type printing press. It was fascinating to learn of the Medici family who may have been the first Venture Capitalists to fund innovation and technology. There was also Andrea Mantegna, who in addition to being an artist and a sculptor, was involved in Silver mining and the production of coinsage, silk manufacturing and other innovative techniques of the time.
The beauty here is that these entrepreneurs created infrastructure that allowed others proceeding them to continue advancing cultures and economies.
How do you believe the narrative of your book’s message informs and provides insight on one’s path to entrepreneurship today?
Masiello: It shows the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in advancing society, not just a financial motive. That many entrepreneurs, although they eventually became wealthy, really set out to solve problems in the world without necessarily getting rich.
What sort of significance have books had in terms of serving as a vehicle for your own entrepreneurial growth and development?
Masiello: I have always enjoyed history. And I enjoyed the research and the learning. Looking at some of the simplest problems and solving them can have the greatest impact on a subset of the world.
Describe your greatest hope in terms of what readers of your book walk away with?
Masiello: Educating readers on what entrepreneurship really is at its core and how vital it has been to developing cultures and economies.
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