Synopsis
Paul Orfalea's "Copy This!" is a candid, humorous, and inspiring memoir that recounts how a young man struggling with severe dyslexia and ADHD—challenges that left him barely able to read, write, or sit still—built the iconic Kinko's copy shop empire from a tiny 100-square-foot storefront near the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1970 into a $1.5–2 billion-a-year business with over 1,000 locations, eventually sold to FedEx.
Orfalea frames his learning disabilities not as obstacles to overcome but as "learning opportunities" that forced him to think differently, delegate heavily, trust and empower his "co-workers" (he avoided calling them employees), foster a fun and compassionate company culture, and stay relentlessly focused on the front lines of the business by wandering stores rather than sitting in headquarters. He credits his hyperactivity with driving innovation and quick action, while his dyslexia pushed him to rely on others' strengths, creating a collaborative environment that made Kinko's one of Fortune's best places to work.
Interwoven with personal anecdotes—from flunking second grade and getting fired from odd jobs to borrowing money for his first copier and scaling through franchising-like partnerships—the book delivers practical business wisdom through "Orfalea Aphorisms" and lessons on managing by emotion, facing outward toward customers, building philosophy over rigid rules, and turning personal quirks into competitive advantages. It's equal parts entrepreneurial playbook, motivational story for those with learning differences, and entertaining tale from a self-described maverick who proved that unconventional thinking can create extraordinary success.
The narrative is conversational and irreverent, blending heartfelt reflections on family, education, and resilience with no-nonsense advice for managers, founders, and anyone seeking to thrive by embracing their unique wiring rather than fighting it.