Michael E. Gerber of Gerber Enterprises, LRT’s Impact Business Hero, intends - at the age of 85 - to pour his fine old wine of hard-earned enterprise-building wisdom into new bottles. Very new bottles - the youth of this world.

Michael is famed for having introduced the “E Myth” (“E” stands for Entrepreneur) book to hopeful businessmen-would-be’s back in the 80’s to public acclaim. This book and many of its “E-Myth” ilk afterwards, along with the driving force of Michael Gerber, turned this work into a publishing and training empire which at its height was touching millions of readers worldwide, and tens of thousands of clients.

While enjoying a rather busy “retirement,” he took a look at what was happening in the world around him and its failings: COVID, social media, cellphone addiction and an attention span slightly longer than a nanosecond, a huge number of businesses failing and a lot of people rudderless.

It was time to cull through his life’s work to find those tools which could be applied to today’s more complex society, and step back onto the stage. 

He concluded that at least one subset of our society could be salvaged – those from 14 to 18 years of age. (What’s that old saying – catch ‘em young and train ‘em right?) He decided to rethink his “Dreaming Room” concept and apply its success principles – how to become a successful entrepreneur – to address their hopes.

He decided to rethink his “Dreaming Room” concept and apply the success principles – how to become as successful entrepreneur – to address their hopes for a better existence than what they see around them today.

Gerber scoffs at the age difference as possibly standing in the way. “These kids were born in the image of God and imbued with the spirit of creation,” he says. 

“This is not from a religious sense or ideology, but in the larger world of spirituality. That’s their core, and one from which anything can happen if the proper tools are available. Their imagination and inspiration will provide the driving force, along with my tools, to help them create a more significant life.”

An Africa Spark

The idea for this refocusing of an aspect of his lifelong work came from a husband and wife student team in South Africa. Marlen and Hendrik Bohn were taking instruction at Michael’s Radical U. This five-year entrepreneurial development school sparked a dream of theirs – to transform the world of disadvantaged African youth. When they brought this idea to Michael’s door – he opened it warmly.

A “Dreaming Room” for the ages of 14-18 and a prospective Radical U spanning a shorter time and for much less than the $495 a year paid by adults is in the works. Will it speak differently to kids who appear to speak and think in digits? “No,” says Gerber, “this is what they will hear.”

“Do you have a cellphone nearby? Then turn it off! Your Digital Universe will never provide you and the spirit within you the answers you want. You weren’t created to be another ‘meme’ or digit in some meta-world. 

He continues, “With our mindset and methodology, you will find the answers to ‘Who am I,’ and ‘Where am I going?’ and, you will acquire the wisdom accrued in my almost 50 years of creating successful entrepreneurs to help you get what you and your soul deserves.”

Marlen and Hendrik Bohn couldn’t be more enthusiastic. “We can’t wait to see where this venture goes and how it will enable young people to create something meaningful for their lives that sustains them and impacts others.”

Those seeking more details about the construct and purpose of Radical U can head here.