Failing My Way to Success - by Phillip Cantrell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Most business books promise shortcuts to success.This one delivers something better: a battle-tested blueprint for scaling, selling, and surviving as an entrepreneur & business leader.

In Failing My Way to Success, Phillip Cantrell takes you inside four decades of founding and leading various businesses, some of which grew to hundreds of millions in annual revenue. Along the way, he shares hard-won lessons from failure, the mindset of resilience, and the strategic frameworks that turn mistakes into momentum. Inside you'll discover:

• • How an average student became a successful entrepreneur, founding or controlling 10 separate businesses. Many built from scratch.
  • A mergers & acquisitions roadmap: from preparing clean P&Ls and balance sheets for due diligence, to negotiating letter of intent (LOI) terms, to navigating earn-out periods and post-sale integration.
  • Real-world real estate business strategies and scaling a brokerage with discipline.
  • Why knowing your cash position daily and running on a "zero accounts receivables" model can protect your business from collapse.
  • The often-overlooked realities of life after selling a business-how founders stay engaged during earn-outs, protect their legacy, and rediscover purpose once the deal is done.
  • The four cornerstones of sustainable leadership: delegation, observation, working smart, and compassion.

This is not theory. It's the inside story of the decisions, negotiations, and systems that separate businesses that burn out from those that endure-and thrive.

Whether you're scaling a company, preparing to sell one you've built, or simply learning how to turn setbacks into stepping stones, Failing My Way to Success gives you a clear-eyed, practical path forward.

Review Quotes

"A bit of Ayn Rand and Jim Collins all wrapped neatly into relatable first-person stories...a must read for eager entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike."

- Dan Duffy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, United Real Estate Group

"Cantrell actually lives out what he teaches, and he injects eternal values into every facet of his life. To see him put his wisdom and legacy into print means that the world at large just got a little bit better!"

- Dr. Jason Cruise, Author & Producer, JasonCruise.com

"An hour rocking on the porch with Phillip is something few get to do. His book is a gift for those entrepreneurs who need to be reminded that success in business is never a straight line. As he so eloquently illustrates through his wins and losses, the key is continuing to get back up and swing for the fences!"

- James Dwiggins, Co-CEO, NextHome, Inc.

"Anyone who desires to be better/do better will relate to Phillip Cantrell's knowledge and experience. As you read this book, you'll come to understand from his personal insights how one's foundation, courage, hard work, curiosity, and hope lead to success."

- Stuart White, CEO, Realtracs MLS

"Cantrell reminds us that success doesn't require a perfect economy or an easy path-instead, it's achieved through perseverance, adaptability, and committed execution. An essential read for both ambitious entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals."

- Rick Haase, President, United Real Estate

"With a great blend of practical advice and theory, Phillip Cantrell distills decades of wisdom into a powerful and easy-to-read guide. He took an innovative approach to real estate and business, and here he shares his roadmap for turning setbacks into stepping stones. Cantrell provides the reader with the tools every entrepreneur should have to create the framework for a successful business."

- Griffin Dunham, Owner/Attorney, Momentum Title

"Phillip Cantrell is a man who combines ability and true humility and whose advice comes from a place of deep love and concern. He shares valuable lessons learned from hands-on experience. Success is neither easy nor overnight, but it is achievable, and Phillip shows us the way."

- Robert Hahn, Managing Partner, 7DS Associates

"You don't need a perfect economy or an easy road to make it big. Cantrell shows how perseverance, adaptability, and smart execution can take you further than you ever imagined."

- Jack Miller, President & CEO, T3 Sixty

"Cantrell has a refreshingly clear vision and delivers honest, direct feedback and practical guidance on how to ensure you're on the right track and stay there. If you're looking for a blueprint to running a successful business and life, you've found it."

- TG Gallaudet, Senior Director, Broker Development, Zillow Group

"This guide belongs on every business leader's desk, not their bookshelf. If you need a wake-up call about your own victim mindset, look no further than Failing My Way to Success. Cantrell's blueprint for turning setbacks into comebacks isn't just theory-it's battle-tested wisdom. His journey proves that regardless of your circumstances, better choices can dramatically alter your life's trajectory, making this book an essential read for anyone ready to stop making excuses and start making progress. "

- Jillian Young, President, Premiere Plus Realty, Co.