Salon Today
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

The Go Giver (book review)

Reviewed by Mary Swank, co-owner of Simply Swank

by Web Editor
July 10, 2011
2 min to read


Reviewed by Mary Swank, co-owner of Simply Swank in Hudson, Ohio

What is the book about?
“It’s a little story about a powerful business idea. In the book, an ambitious young man named Joe seeks advice from Pindar, a legendary consultant referred to as the Chairman. Pindar introduces Joe to a series of successful ‘go-givers,’ including a restaurateur, a CEO, a financial advisor, a real estate broker and ‘The Connector’ who brought them all together. Joe learns the five laws of stratospheric success and how to open up himself to giving. Changing his focus from getting to giving ultimately leads to unexpected returns.”

Why did you like this book?
“I enjoyed the parable and simplistic approach to the five laws. It’s a quick read—one that you can finish in a long soak in the tub, although you may get pruned! There were so many insightful quotes that make you smile, like ‘It never hurts to be kind to people,’ or ‘Appearances may be deceiving, in fact they nearly always are.’”

What was the biggest takeaway message for you?
“That, as a business owner, you always need to be giving in every aspect of life—personally, in business, even spiritually.”

What idea did you implement in your business or personal life?
“The idea I implemented immediately was to give before I was asked. The week I finished reading the book, a former employee called to ask for some business advice. This employee had left on bad terms, and opened a competing business in the next town. She was inquiring on how to handle a situation similar to what had happened when she left. Instead of saying ‘What goes around, comes around!’ I reached out and told her who could professionally handle the situation. She thanked me. Later that week, a business sales rep commented that she had heard I had been giving advice to help another owner, and she also thanked me. This was the book in action!”

Why would you recommend this book to staff or clients?
“This book will help you create a harmonious balance in your life if you follow the simple laws, especially ‘give and you shall receive.’”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Salon Management

Ad Loading...
Paul Petrowsky, manager of Impressions

The Constant

Starting at Impressions front desk in 2006 when he was 19 years old, General Manager Paul Petrowsky is a seasoned professional who owner Sarah Taylor says is responsible for much of her own success.

Headshot of Sophie Galabru

How Women are Rewriting the Rules of Grey Hair

At a panel discussion hosted by L’Oréal Professionnel in Paris in early July, French Philosopher Sophie Galabru explored the cultural shift where women are increasingly choosing natural, personalized color results over traditional grey coverage. In an exclusive interview with SALON TODAY, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist Pierrick Beringer discuss this shift and how salons and colorists respond.

Ad Loading...
Cover of whitepaper

How AI Is Closing Revenue Gaps for Salons and Spas

The beauty and wellness businesses pulling ahead aren’t just working harder—they’re using AI to capture demand, personalize pricing, and convert more of every guest interaction into revenue. Here’s what the benchmark data reveals about the growing gap between AI adopters and everyone else.

Sponsored by Zenoti

copy of the whitepaper cover

The Premium Talent Magnet: The Modern Salon Playbook for Attracting Six-Figure Stylists

Stop chasing recruitment ghosts on generic job boards and start curating an elite team. Discover the framework that top-tier salons use to bypass phone tag, automate visual portfolio vetting, and attract high-earning, culture-first beauty professionals directly through real-time messaging. Turn your recruitment process into an exclusive brand invitation that keeps your highest-ticket chairs permanently filled.

Sponsored by Beautista

Cover of the whitepaper

Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Salon

Your calendar looks full, but is all of that demand actually converting to revenue? From phantom rebookings to underpriced peak hours, the 2026 Benchmark Report exposes five revenue leaks that most beauty and wellness businesses don’t even know they have.

Sponsored by Zenoti

Ad Loading...