The Barefoot Spirit
  • BOOKS
    • The Barefoot Spirit (Audiobook)
    • The Barefoot Spirit (Paperback)
    • The Barefoot Spirit Book Endorsements
    • The Entrepreneurial Culture
    • The Barefoot Startup’s GPS
    • Shelf Smarts
    • Skyrocket Your Sales
  • ADVISORS
  • SPEAKING
    • HIRE MICHAEL & BONNIE
    • Speaking Topics
    • BUSINESS SCHOOL TESTIMONIALS
    • Conference Testimonials
  • NEWS
  • PRESS
    • Contributed Articles
    • Media Resources
    • Media Hits
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
Select Page
  • BOOKS
    • The Barefoot Spirit (Audiobook)
    • The Barefoot Spirit (Paperback)
    • The Barefoot Spirit Book Endorsements
    • The Entrepreneurial Culture
    • The Barefoot Startup’s GPS
    • Shelf Smarts
    • Skyrocket Your Sales
  • ADVISORS
  • SPEAKING
    • HIRE MICHAEL & BONNIE
    • Speaking Topics
    • BUSINESS SCHOOL TESTIMONIALS
    • Conference Testimonials
  • NEWS
  • PRESS
    • Contributed Articles
    • Media Resources
    • Media Hits
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
Product Development Starts with Demand and Access, Not the Product

Product Development Starts with Demand and Access, Not the Product

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog, Interview

“But all my friends thought it was so cool.” That’s the usual lament we hear from the producers of failed products. Why? They fell in love with their product, so much so that they actually thought success was based on the product itself. Probably the most important...
Acknowledgement, Confirmation, and Status Reporting Demonstrate Responsibility

Acknowledgement, Confirmation, and Status Reporting Demonstrate Responsibility

JUST OWN IT!

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

A Classic Case of a Lack of Acknowledgement & Confirmation Our friend recently graduated with an advanced degree in Nursing. To celebrate, we invited her and her friends over for a party. A week before the party, we went to our friendly neighborhood grocery store...
Best Source of Good Ideas Are Your Employees

Best Source of Good Ideas Are Your Employees

NEED TO KNOW OR KNOW THE NEED

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Most companies, in their attempt to present the image of stability and security to their employees, will deliberately prevent them from knowing about the challenges the company faces. They fear their people will jump ship if they know that the company is facing...
Student Debt is Everyone’s Problem

Student Debt is Everyone’s Problem

WE CAN’T AFFORD IT!

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

What if you gave a back-to-school sale and nobody came? That’s what retailers are facing this year as many college students and grads face the frugal realities of their college debt. In the last recession we saw how interrelated the various elements of the economy...
Pretending To Understand Can Be Costly

Pretending To Understand Can Be Costly

“GOT IT!” – NOT!

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog, Education

We live in a world that expects us to know and understand increasing complex technologies. Our allocated time to digest new information has been cut to a fraction of what it once was. In a world of Tweets, posts, quick starts, and “Just tell me the one thing…,” it’s...
Purchase Book

Download The Audiobook NOW!

New York Times Besteller
USA Today Bestseller
#1 Bestseller Amazon
#1 Bestseller Barnes & Noble
Top 5 Business Audiobooks of 2020
- Audiobook Publishers Assoc


Business Audio Theatre
Business Audio Theatre

Sign Up for a Free Consultation

“Their practical insights and communication tips have already proven useful in my career, and I continue to enjoy their relevant newsletters.”
– Melodie Stairs
Melodie Stairs
“Awesome, thanks, guys! Exceptionally useful, practical advice.”
– Tim Grosse, e2 Energy Advisors
Tim Grosse
“Awesome!”
– Jonah White
Jonah White
“I love your weekly blog reports! Perfect amount of info, not over packed…”
– Eric, Owner, Dorton Studios
Eric
“Thanks for sending Michael and Bonnie….good stuff!”
– Craig Hettrich, President, Renaissance Executive Forums of Sacramento
Craig Hettrich
“You guys sure bang out great content consistently! Nicely done.”
– Kim Hoyer, X Factor
Kim Hoyer
“Great Newsletter!”
– Epi Ludvik Nekaj, Founder & CEO – Crowdsourcing Week
Epi Ludvik Nekaj
“Thanks for the great essay on packaging. You always have the most practical advice and detailed info.” 
– Stephanie Schull, Kegelbell
Stephanie Schull
“Always interesting and helpful.”
– John Taylor
John Taylor
“Fantastic job!”
– Stephen Key, Author, Columnist & Speaker
Stephen Key






(707) 484-1600
sales@thebarefootspirit.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

Find Out More About How To Build A CPG Brand

C-Suite

Keynote speakers and New York Times Best Selling Authors Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey

Recent Posts

  • The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle & Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand 🍷
  • Something has to change.
  • Book Michael and Bonnie!
  • How to Recognize Opportunity (and Make It Sustainable) KNOCK! KNOCK!
  • Don’t Hurt Your Brand Image with Single-Use Containers – LOOK WHO’S AT THE TOP OF THE HEAP!

About Michael & Bonnie:

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey help companies become more entrepreneurial. They co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built Americas #1 Wine Brand. Read more about their humble beginnings to their creation of an international best-selling wine label HERE.

    Copyright ©2025 TheBarefootSpirit.com
      | About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Sitemap · Contact
    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.