Today I had the privilege of sitting down with my good friend Bryan Eisenberg, one of the true OGs of digital marketing. I’ve known Bryan for over 18 years, and I can honestly say he’s one of the few people who’s made a career out of simplifying what most of us overcomplicate. From A/B testing to conversion optimization, Bryan and his brother Jeffrey have shaped how marketers think about persuasion online.
But this time, Bryan isn’t talking about marketing funnels or analytics. His latest book, The Rice and Beans Millionaire, is all about entrepreneurship fundamentals, the kind of lessons every young adult (or really, any entrepreneur) needs but rarely learns in school.
It’s short, 113 pages. You could knock it out on a flight from L.A. to Seattle. But it’s packed with decades of experience, told through a story that even a teenager can follow. It’s already hit #1 in new releases on Amazon for entrepreneurship, and the audiobook is on its way.
The Spark Behind the Book
Bryan told me the idea hit him one afternoon while he was playing catch with his son, Sammy. He’d just finished an email to a client, stepped outside, and realized how grateful he was for the freedom that entrepreneurship had given him, the ability to spend time with his family in the middle of a random Tuesday.
That moment crystallized something bigger: the need to pass down the mindset that makes freedom possible.
When Bryan looked for a book to help young entrepreneurs learn those fundamentals, mindset, money management, and business basics, he couldn’t find one that hit the mark. So, he wrote it.
Fundamentals Over Flash
One of my favorite things Bryan said during our chat:
“The pros focus on the fundamentals because the fundamentals never change.”
He compared it to sports, how Steph Curry doesn’t skip warm-ups, or how Gordon Ramsay still checks if the bathrooms are clean before service. Business is no different. People fail not because they’re missing fancy tactics, but because they ignore the basics.
Bryan built this book to be a fundamental reset: simple, direct, and fun to read. Every chapter is short enough to finish in a bathroom break, but deep enough to spark reflection.
For Every Young (and Not-So-Young) Entrepreneur
When Bryan gives the book to his successful entrepreneur friends, people who’ve exited $20M, $40M, even $100M companies, they all say the same thing:
“I’m giving this to my kid.”
That’s the point. The Rice and Beans Millionaire is a reminder to get back to basics, especially when you’ve been in business long enough to forget what got you there.
Lessons Worth Highlighting
A few gems that stood out from our conversation:
- Never play another man’s game. Always have your own side hustle. A job keeps you “just over broke.” Build something that gives you control over your time and income.
- Simple beats long. You’re not selling a book, you’re selling the reader’s time. Keep it concise and actionable.
- Curiosity is currency. You don’t need to be an expert, just genuinely interested. Document what you learn, and people will follow your journey.
- Surround yourself with the right people. If your friends or family don’t share your vision, find mentors who do. Even one step up the ladder can open the next door.
- Failure isn’t final. Every punch you take just teaches you how to get back up stronger.
Mentorship and Momentum
Bryan and I share the same belief: your network determines your net worth.
But that doesn’t mean chasing the biggest names. It means connecting people who should know each other without expecting anything in return. Bryan’s mastered that art. He’s constantly introducing good people to other good people, which is how opportunity compounds.
That’s how we met almost two decades ago, through a shared passion for helping others grow. And it’s why his message still hits home for me today.
Why Young Adults Need This Book
We train young adults to build real skills by serving local businesses. Bryan’s book aligns perfectly with that mission; it teaches self-reliance, financial literacy, and persistence through storytelling instead of lectures.
What Bryan and I talked about, mastering the fundamentals, surrounding yourself with the right mentors, and earning freedom through skill, is exactly what we’re doing through the AI Apprentice program.
It’s built for young adults who want to become entrepreneurs. We give them the same foundation Bryan outlines in The Rice and Beans Millionaire: self-reliance, consistency, and curiosity paired with hands-on experience in real campaigns for real businesses.
If you’re a parent, mentor, or anyone who believes in giving the next generation a real shot at success, this book is a must-read. It’s a roadmap for freedom, one rice-and-beans lesson at a time.
Final Thoughts
There are thousands of books on how to make money. But very few on how to think like an entrepreneur, how to develop the mindset that builds freedom, opportunity, and legacy. Bryan’s book fills that gap.
It’s short, it’s powerful, and it’s exactly what I wish I had when I was 18.
So, do yourself a favor: read it, gift it, and most importantly, live it.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other organizations that have many locations.
He has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs because of his partnership with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Companies like GoDaddy, Fiverr, onlinejobs.ph, 7 Figure Agency, and Vendasta partner with him to create training and certifications.
Dennis created the Dollar a Day Strategy for local service businesses to enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring. He's coaching young adult agency owners who serve plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians in conjunction with leaders in these industries.
Mr. Yu believes that there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers need to be certified and licensed. His Content Factory training and dashboards are used by thousands of practitioners.