"Hey Dad is a fantastic read for recent high school or college graduates, young professionals, or anyone feeling overwhelmed by the transition to independent adulthood. It’s also a great resource for parents who want to give their kids a head start in the real world without overwhelming them with unsolicited advice."
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Literary Titan
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How will this book help me?
Stepping into adulthood feels like taking a leap off a cliff—one that you are not quite prepared for. From figuring out how to land your first job to managing your finances, renting your first apartment, and not panicking when your car breaks down, “adulting” can feel overwhelming. That’s where Hey Dad… comes in.​​​​​​​​
30 Different Experts Share Advice
Written by Rob Finlay, a dad of four who’s been on the receiving end of countless late-night “Hey Dad, how do I…?” phone calls, this book offers the life lessons you never knew you needed until you found yourself Googling “how to fix a circuit breaker” at 2 a.m. With advice from 30 experts on everything from job hunting and personal finance to starting your own business, plus real stories about successes and failures that make adulthood feel like a never-ending learning curve, Hey Dad… is your go-to guide for surviving—and thriving—through life’s most confusing transitions.
Who is Rob Finlay?
Robert J. Finlay is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Beyond The Building, seasoned entrepreneur, renowned speaker, and father of four. He is a successful entrepreneur and commercial real estate investor. He has built and sold four companies. Rob’s success is providing innovative solutions for his clients—constantly thinking ahead of the curve. He brings strategic insights and inspires the next generation of leaders with his commitment to mentorship, education, and the integration of technology. When Rob is not at his day job, he is passionate about agriculture, exploring new practices and sustainable methods to enhance environmental stewardship in farming.
CHAPTER 1
"It’s okay not to know what your life will look like. (But it’s useful to have an idea of what you don’t want your life to look like.)" - Page 3
CHAPTER 2
“Employers like boldness and hustle. Even though things have changed since I was first on the job hunt, the underlying ethos is the same: hustle.” - Page 23
CHAPTER 3
“Business ideas are worthless—what matters is how you execute those ideas.” - Page 51
CHAPTER 4
"Be responsible with what you have and be grateful for it." - Page 63
CHAPTER 5
"With great risk comes great reward; if an investment is risky, it has the potential to drastically increase." - Page 76
CHAPTER 6
"You don’t have to stay in the state where you were raised, or in a city you moved to for a job you end up hating. You get to choose where you live. That’s the fun of adulthood." - Page 99
CHAPTER 7
"You’re likely to own a home someday. Think of all this as practice for when your name is on the mortgage." - Page 119
CHAPTER 8
"The most powerful thing you bring with you into a car dealership is a willingness to say “no” and walk away." - Page 138
CHAPTER 9
"Life is not just about the relationships you make; it’s about the relationships you keep."
- Page 145
CHAPTER 10
"The world is an amazing place, full of amazing people: why not see those places and get to know those people while you can?" - Page 155
CHAPTER 11
"Maturity lies in knowing the degree to which you can make a bad situation worse by your actions—and then not doing that." - Page 186
Real-life Dad Advice
(Actual quotes from the book)
Succeed in the Real World!
With expert advice on everything from job hunting and personal finance to launching your own business—plus real stories of triumphs and missteps—Hey Dad... is your ultimate guide for navigating the twists and turns of adulthood.
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Whether you’ve just graduated, are settling into your first apartment, or are simply trying to keep life from feeling like a chaotic mess, this book will help you tackle the real world with confidence, humor, and far fewer late-night Google searches.
