Anything You Want is a book by Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, where he shares his unconventional approach to business and life. The book is a collection of insights and lessons learned from his experiences as an entrepreneur. Here are the key ideas from the book:
Start Small and Stay Simple
Sivers emphasizes the importance of starting small and keeping things simple when launching a business. He believes that too much complexity can hinder progress and recommends focusing on what you can do best with the resources you have.
Customer-Centric Approach
Sivers advocates for a customer-centric approach to business. He suggests that the primary goal should be to make customers happy, and profits will follow naturally.
No Need for Outside Funding
Sivers did not seek outside funding for CD Baby and argues that you don't necessarily need external investors to build a successful business. He shares how he grew CD Baby organically, using revenue generated from its operations to fund growth.
Say No to Opportunities
Sivers encourages entrepreneurs to be selective about the opportunities they pursue. He suggests saying "no" to distractions that don't align with your core mission or values to stay focused and avoid diluting your efforts.
Keep Your Priorities Straight
The book discusses the importance of knowing your priorities and staying true to your core values. Sivers shares personal anecdotes about how he made decisions based on his principles rather than simply chasing profits.
The Value of Solitude
Sivers values the importance of solitude and introspection in making important decisions. He recommends taking time to think deeply about your goals and what truly matters to you.
Delegate and Trust
Sivers learned the value of delegating responsibilities and trusting his team to handle tasks. He believes in hiring great people and giving them autonomy to make decisions.
Exit Strategies
Sivers shares his experience of selling CD Baby and discusses the emotional aspect of letting go of a business he built from the ground up. He encourages entrepreneurs to consider their exit strategies and think about what truly matters when making such decisions.
Learn from Mistakes
Sivers acknowledges that he made mistakes along the way but views them as valuable learning experiences. He encourages readers to embrace failure and use it as a stepping stone to success.
Life Is Short
One of the central themes of the book is the idea that life is too short to pursue things that don't bring joy or align with your values. Sivers urges readers to be mindful of their choices and prioritize happiness and fulfillment.

"Anything You Want" is a concise and thought-provoking book that challenges conventional business wisdom and encourages entrepreneurs to follow their own path while staying true to their values and priorities. It emphasizes simplicity, customer satisfaction, and the pursuit of happiness as key principles for both business and life.