What Mike Michalowicz does

Mike Michalowicz is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and business educator operating through Obsidian Launch LLC (Publishing), a small 5-employee firm built around a personal-brand business model. The company develops and monetizes a portfolio of proprietary business frameworks — most notably Profit First, Clockwork, Pumpkin Plan, and Fix This Next — distributed as books, keynote speaking engagements, structured certification programs, and mastermind cohorts. The primary customer base is small and mid-sized business owners seeking operating and cash-management methodologies, supplemented by a global retail readership reached through major book channels.

Revenue is generated through multiple diversified streams: book royalties across a backlist of business titles, certification tuition (Profit First Professionals, Pumpkin Plan Strategist, Fix This Next Advisor, Money Habit Mentor), keynote and workshop fees, mastermind subscriptions, and equity participation in adjacent businesses (Profit First Professionals and Prosper Group). The company has recently extended into adjacent verticals via The Money Habit (personal finance, 2026), the My Money Bunnies children's book series, a fintech banking partnership with Relay Financial under the Bank Like Mike program, and a publishing-services imprint (Simplified Publishing) launched in partnership with Page Two.

The operating model is asset-light and personal-brand-dependent: there is no disclosed technology platform, no AI/ML product surface, and minimal employee headcount. Distribution is global via book retail and speaking circuits, while certification ecosystems and partnership channels extend monetization beyond direct author royalties. The principal strategic risks are key-person concentration on the founder and category commoditization, particularly as AI-assisted publishing accelerates competition in the business-book and SMB-coaching segments.

Name

Mike Michalowicz

Legal name

Obsidian Launch LLC

Website

https://mikemichalowicz.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mike Michalowicz is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and business educator who monetizes proprietary frameworks (Profit First, Clockwork, Fix This Next, Pumpkin Plan) via books, certification programs, speaking, and mastermind cohorts, serving small and mid-sized business owners globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Author & Entrepreneur Education

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313), Other Publishers (51319), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Self-Publishing & Author Platforms (BPAMAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Self-Employment Personal Finance (Income, Expenses, Cash Reserves) (EDAAAJAL), Author Service Marketplaces & Aggregators (Vetting, Bundled Services) (MPAJAJAB), Editorial & Production Services (Copyediting, Proofreading, Formatting, Typesetting) (MPAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Business book author
• Entrepreneur education
• Profit management system
• Professional certification programs
• Small business coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Boonton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Revenue from bestselling business books including Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, Fix This Next, Get Different, All In, Surge, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, and The Money Habit sold through major retailers and publishers.
2. Speaking Engagements: Keynote speaking at conferences and corporate events. Mike is described as a world-class keynote speaker who appears at major business events.
3. Certification Programs: Profit First Professionals certification for accountants, bookkeepers and business coaches. Also offers Pumpkin Plan Strategist, Money Habit Mentor, and Fix This Next Advisor certifications.
4. Masterminds and Group Programs: Edison Collective mastermind and Legacy League monthly ask-me-anything programs. Also Prosper Group business rescue services.
5. Courses and Digital Products: Online courses including The Get Noticed Crash Course, Small Business 101, Roadmap to Thriving Business, and various book-associated toolkits and bonus kits sold through Entrepreneurship Simplified Academy.
6. Publishing Services: Page Two Simplified publishing imprint - full-service literary support through Penned With Purpose and author workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mike Michalowicz is a small business author and educator who sells a portfolio of business and personal finance books, online courses, professional certification programs, podcasts, mastermind groups, and keynote speaking services. The core deliverable is simple, implementable business systems (most notably the Profit First cash management methodology) packaged as books and supported by digital products, certified-practitioner training, and live group coaching. He also operates a publishing imprint (Page Two Simplified) and a literary representation service (Penned With Purpose) to help aspiring authors publish books.

Product overview

Mike Michalowicz's business is a portfolio of books, digital courses, professional certifications, podcasts, masterminds, speaking services, and publishing support — centered around entrepreneurial education and personal finance. The core portfolio includes 10 books covering topics such as cash-flow management (Profit First), personal finance (The Money Habit), leadership (All In), operations (Clockwork), business strategy (Fix This Next), marketing (Get Different), growth (Pumpkin Plan, Surge), bootstrapping (The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur), and children's finance (My Money Bunnies). Supporting these books are digital products including online courses, the Profit First mobile app, free downloadable tools and spreadsheets, and professional certification programs for accountants, coaches, and advisors who want to teach Mike's methodologies. Content offerings include four podcasts (The 4-Minute Money Maker, Don't Write That Book, Becoming Self Made, The Profit First Podcast) and a suite of master mind groups. Mike also offers speaking engagements, author workshops, and a publishing imprint (Page Two Simplified) plus a full-service literary representative (Penned With Purpose) to support aspiring authors. This is a content-and-education business, not a software product platform — all offerings revolve around the books and their associated frameworks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Profit First: A cash-flow management system and bestselling book that helps business owners go from survival mode to consistent profitability.
• The Pumpkin Plan
• Clockwork
• Get Different
• Fix This Next
• All In
• Surge
• The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
• The Money Habit
• My Money Bunnies
• Profit First Professionals
• Page Two Simplified
• Penned With Purpose

Products and services

• Profit First A bestselling cash-flow management book and system that helps small business owners achieve consistent profitability by taking profit first before expenses.
• The Money Habit A personal finance book that teaches individuals how to build wealth by working with their natural money tendencies and building sustainable financial habits.
• All In A leadership and team-building book providing a formula for modern leadership, including the FASO framework to recruit, retain, and elevate top talent.
• Clockwork A business operations book (revised and expanded) that teaches entrepreneurs how to design systems so their business runs effectively without constant oversight.
• Fix This Next A business strategy book introducing the Business Priority Pyramid framework to help entrepreneurs identify and solve their business's most vital need.
• Get Different A sales and marketing book teaching the D.A.D. Framework (Different, Attract, Direct) to help businesses stand out and capture attention authentically.
• The Pumpkin Plan A business growth book providing a step-by-step strategy to clone best clients, tap into the vendor well, and grow a business fast and strong.
• Surge A book focused on business growth strategies to master one's industry and create marketplace dominance.
• The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur An early book about starting a business in a weak economy with limited resources, providing guidance for bootstrapping a business.
• My Money Bunnies A children's book that introduces financial concepts to kids in an engaging way.
• Profit First App A mobile and web application for implementing the Profit First cash management system, tracking allocations and bank accounts.
• Profit First Video Course An online video course teaching the Profit First methodology for business cash flow management.
• Get Noticed Crash Course A marketing master class for achieving business success through effective, differentiated marketing strategies.
• Small Business 101 Course A foundational course on starting a business correctly from the ground up.
• The Confidence Course A foundational entrepreneurship course focused on selling oneself, speaking with clarity, and leading with confidence.
• The Serve Course A sales and service course teaching serve-selling techniques for entrepreneurs.
• The Communication Course A course teaching essential communication skills for entrepreneurs and business founders.
• Profit First Professionals Certification A certification program for accountants, bookkeepers, and business coaches to become licensed practitioners of the Profit First methodology.
• Pumpkin Plan Strategist Certification A certification program for growth strategists to help businesses scale using the Pumpkin Plan methodology.
• Money Habit Mentor Certification A certification program for mentors trained in the behavior-based Money Habit system for personal finance guidance.
• Fix This Next Advisor Certification A certification for advisors to help businesses identify and solve their most critical issues using the Business Priority Pyramid.
• Edison Collective Mastermind A mastermind group led by Mike Michalowicz for entrepreneurs seeking collective growth and business systemization.
• Legacy League Mastermind A monthly Ask Me Anything group providing ongoing access to Mike Michalowicz for business guidance.
• Speaking Engagements Keynote speaking services for corporate events, conferences, and organizations, covering topics aligned with Mike's books.
• Author Workshops Live workshops guiding aspiring authors through the publishing process, including book proposals and finding the right publishing path.
• Penned With Purpose A full-service literary representative service that walks authors through every step of publishing, from editing to cover design to launch.
• Page Two Simplified A co-branded publishing imprint with Page Two, designed for entrepreneurial thinkers to amplify their influence and publish books with professional support.
• Monthly Income and Expense Calculator A Google Sheets-based spreadsheet tool for tracking personal monthly income and expenses as part of the Money Habit system.
• Money Habit Investment Tools Web-based investment planning tools as part of the Money Habit financial system.
• The Profit First Podcast A podcast focused on profit tips for entrepreneurs and business owners, including the Grow My Accounting Practice spinoff.
• The 4-Minute Money Maker A podcast hosted by Mike Michalowicz focused on actionable business and financial insights.
• Don't Write That Book Podcast A podcast co-hosted with AJ Harper offering unfiltered guidance on the writing and publishing journey, aimed at aspiring authors.
• Becoming Self Made Podcast A podcast providing an unpolished look at what it takes to build a lasting business.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million business owners helped to achieve consistent profitability through Profit First

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AJ HarpercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the Don't Write That Book Podcast with Mike Michalowicz. Together they provide unpolished, real-world guidance on the author journey to help aspiring authors avoid common mistakes.
• Page Two (Simplified Publishing Imprint)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMike partnered with Page Two to create Simplified, a publishing imprint designed exclusively for entrepreneurial thinkers. Page Two provides publishing expertise while Mike contributes his author knowledge and brand.
• Profit First ProfessionalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe certification organization for accountants, bookkeepers and business coaches for the Profit First method. Mike has equity participation in this organization.
• Prosper GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA hand-picked team of business experts working together to help entrepreneurs get unstuck, systemize their growth, and build a business that thrives. Mike has equity participation.
• Relay (Bank Like Mike)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership where Mike promotes Relay as 'Bank Like Mike' - a financial tool aligned with his Profit First methodology. Mike receives referral compensation through affiliate link.
• Penned With PurposeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFull-service literary representative that provides publishing support including access to editors, cover design, title testing, proposal creation, and contract advice for aspiring authors.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marie Forleo: Marie Forleo runs Marie Forleo International, combining books (Everything Is Figureoutable), online courses (B-School), a podcast, and mastermind programs targeting entrepreneurs and SMB owners, with a content-led GTM nearly identical to Mike Michalowicz's model.
• Pat Flynn: Pat Flynn built Smart Passive Income on the back of business/entrepreneurship education via podcast, courses, books, and brand partnerships, targeting the same SMB and solopreneur audience with a content-first GTM motion.
• Amy Porterfield: Amy Porterfield sells online courses, certifications, and masterminds to entrepreneurs and course creators through content-led marketing, podcasts, and signature offers, mirroring Mike's certification-driven model.
• Hal Elrod: Hal Elrod built a personal brand around The Miracle Morning book, expanding into courses, coaching programs, and a community targeting entrepreneurs and high performers, with a content-led funnel that closely matches Mike Michalowicz's approach.
• Ramit Sethi: Ramit Sethi's I Will Teach You To Be Rich brand spans bestselling personal finance/business books, online courses (Money Coaching, IWLTYB), a podcast, and premium programs for entrepreneurs and couples, a comparable personal-finance-adjacent SMB education platform.
• Dean Graziosi: Dean Graziosi combines business/self-development books, online courses (Knowledge Business Blueprint), masterminds, and live events targeting entrepreneurs, with an analogous author-to-course-to-mastermind monetization path.
• Jenna Kutcher: Jenna Kutcher built a personal brand around entrepreneurship, online courses (Goal Digger Academy), a podcast, and a book, targeting small business owners with content-led acquisition, directly comparable to Mike's portfolio and GTM motion.
• Donald Miller (StoryBrand): Donald Miller publishes business books (Building a StoryBrand), runs a marketing framework company, trains/certifies agencies and consultants, and offers courses and workshops aimed at SMB marketing, closely paralleling Mike's book-plus-certification model.

Broad incumbents

• Tony Robbins: Tony Robbins is the largest incumbent in business and personal-development education, combining books, live events (Business Mastery, Date with Destiny), coaching programs, and a partner ecosystem that overlaps substantially with Mike Michalowicz's target SMB entrepreneur audience.
• Seth Godin: Seth Godin is a long-standing business author (Purple Cow, This Is Marketing, The Dip) with a daily blog and online courses (altMBA, Akimbo) targeting marketers and entrepreneurs, operating at a larger incumbent scale in the same business-author category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MikeMichalowicz
• Facebookfacebook.com/MikeMichalowiczFanPage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mike-michalowicz
• Instagraminstagram.com/mikemichalowicz
• TikToktiktok.com/@mikemichalowicz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mike Michalowicz