At first glance, BIG LUCKY: Serial Entrepreneur Jim Markham’s Secret Formula for Success may appear to be a by-the-numbers ‘how I did it’ biography, but as every stylist knows, looks can be deceiving. For one, the title of Markham’s story is a bit of a misnomer as the secret formula to his success essentially boils down to a pair of not-so-secret ingredients: grit and determination. And while a ‘rags-to-riches’ transformation is hardly a unique offering, it’s the way BIG LUCKY (co-authored by journalist Echo Montgomery Garrett) offers a candid glimpse into Hollywood’s past that elevates this book into ‘must-read’ territory.
Growing up in rural New Mexico, Jim Markham learned just how ‘real’ life could be at an early age. A father at fifteen, Markham turned to cutting hair as a means to feed his family, only to discover an innate talent for the profession. For all intents and purposes, Markham’s professional story begins in 1969 when celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring was among those victimized by the Manson murders. In the wake of his mentor’s death, Markham forged ahead, eventually making a name for himself in Hollywood. From there, BIG LUCKY shells out one fascinating story after another. Above and beyond the countless pearls of wisdom divulged, Markham succeeds at offering a vivid glimpse into Hollywood’s past. But it’s Markham’s entrepreneurial spirit that really drives the second act of his story. Beginning with Sebring Products, Markham started a series of successful cosmetic companies that are still going strong today. Still, for a man standing behind a billion-dollar retail empire, the father of three spends very little time discussing the financial aspect of his story, focusing instead on ‘big picture’ concepts such as the value of relationships and honesty.
Setting aside the biographical aspects of this narrative, this book also succeeds in providing readers a healthy dose of informed inspiration. Simply put, the layout of BIG LUCKY is fantastic. Markham divides his life story into twenty-two chapters, each providing one of the key ingredients to his long-lasting success. It’s an incredibly effective format, one that distills an already fascinating life-story into easily-digested nuggets of wisdom. One of the book’s most poignant moments comes from ingredient number ten, “Everybody Matters,” during which Markham discusses his working relationship with none other than Paul Newman. The takeaway? Everybody, no matter who they are, deserves our best.
Despite the focused scope of Markham’s ventures, the lessons learned (and shared) are impressively applicable to almost anyone, regardless of the situation or parties involved. Fans of ‘behind the scenes’ accounts of Hollywood will find plenty of satisfying tidbits layered throughout Markham’s early-career anecdotes. Additionally, a generous smattering of candid on-set photos, hand-written letters, publicity shots, and magazine articles only further cement the authenticity of Markham’s story. You might think you have no interest in the world of hair and makeup, but BIG LUCKY transcends the topic on multiple levels.
Part ‘how to’ guide to success, part biography—at its core, BIG LUCKY is a story of perseverance in the face of some pretty unfathomable odds that manages to pull back the curtain on a bygone era.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader