Michael Michalowicz (/mêÃÂkælÃÂwêts/ mick-AL-ÃÂ-wits; born September 19, 1970) is an American author, entrepreneur, and lecturer known for his irreverent, practical approach to building healthy, profitable companies. He is the author of nine business books published by Penguin Random House, including All In (2023), Get Different (2021), Profit First (2017), The Pumpkin Plan (2012) and Clockwork Revised & Expanded (2022).
His upcoming release, The Money Habit (2026), is the inaugural title from Simplified, a new publishing imprint curated by Michalowicz in partnership with Page Two Books. The Money Habit applies his proven Profit First principles to personal finance, offering a clear path to everyday financial freedom.
MichalowiczâÂÂs latest ventures include 4 Minute Money Maker, a fast-paced television series where he tackles the real-life growing pains of businesses across the country, and Becoming Self Made, a podcast produced in partnership with Relay Financial and Pod People that explores the hoops, hurdles, and humbling journeys entrepreneurs face on their way to the top of their game.
Previously, he hosted the âÂÂBusiness Rescueâ segment for MSNBCâÂÂs Your Business, was a small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal, and starred in the reality television program Bailout!.
Born and raised in Boonton Township, New Jersey, Michalowicz attended Boonton High School, graduated from Virginia Tech in 1993, where he was captain of the Virginia Tech menâÂÂs lacrosse team. He graduated with two degrees, one in finance and the other in management science.
Michalowicz founded Olmec Systems in 1996 and sold the business in a private equity transaction in 2003. In 2003 he co-founded a computer forensic firm, which was a lead examiner in the Enron scandal. That company was acquired by Robert Half International in 2006. Terms were not disclosed. Michalowicz owns seven companies, including a small business investment accelerator called Prosper Group. He is a co-founder of six additional organizations with exclusive licensing rights to his work.