For many London mums, the idea of reinvention is not theoretical – it is lived daily. Careers pause, shift, restart, or evolve alongside family life, changing priorities, and unexpected challenges. It is within this space that Success and Self-Discovery: An Entrepreneur’s Memoir of Growth and Transformation by Steven M. Stroum finds its relevance.
Entrepreneur and author Steven M. Stroum has recently launched an updated website, www.smstroum.com, dedicated to his memoir, offering readers an overview of the book, critical reviews, background on the author, and links to purchase. The book itself charts a life shaped not by privilege or shortcuts, but by resilience, curiosity, and the willingness to start again – themes that resonate strongly with anyone navigating change.
Stroum’s story begins with working-class roots in Massachusetts, followed by service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, a medical discharge, and a return to university. What follows is a candid account of entrepreneurship built from the ground up – literally from a spare room in his parents’ home with just $300. Within a year, that venture grew into a company employing ten people and serving hundreds of clients, eventually expanding to more than 2,000 clients in just two years.
Rather than presenting a glossy version of success, Success and Self-Discovery is open about the personal cost of ambition. Alongside professional highs, Stroum writes honestly about burnout, unexpected depression, and the emotional toll of building a business in unfamiliar territory. This balance – achievement paired with vulnerability – is what sets the book apart from many traditional business memoirs.
The memoir blends personal storytelling with practical insight. Readers will find real-world lessons on marketing, publicity, sales strategy, and business development, drawn from lived experience rather than theory. Stroum explains how setbacks can become turning points, and how mindset shifts – not background, age, or circumstance – often determine long-term outcomes.
Critics have responded positively to this approach. Writer’s Digest highlights the book’s ability to remain instructive while staying honest about the realities of choosing a non-conventional path, noting its appeal for entrepreneurs and business book clubs alike. Midwest Book Review describes the memoir as “exceptional and thoroughly reader-friendly,” recommending it for entrepreneurs at all stages, as well as corporate professionals considering reinvention. The book is available in paperback and digital formats.
Beyond the memoir, Stroum’s career spans more than five decades in marketing, public affairs, and business development. A disabled veteran and advocate of free enterprise, he has advised small businesses globally, served on Massachusetts small business task forces, lectured at universities including Babson College and Northeastern University, and appeared in major publications such as INC, USA Today, and The Boston Globe.
For London Mums readers – particularly those considering a career change, launching a business later in life, or redefining success beyond traditional markers – Success and Self-Discovery offers reassurance rather than pressure. Its core message is simple but powerful: growth is not linear, success is personal, and reinvention is possible at any age.
In a culture often obsessed with quick wins and overnight success, Steven M. Stroum’s memoir is a reminder that meaningful achievement is built slowly, imperfectly, and with a great deal of courage – lessons that extend far beyond the business world and into everyday life.
Success and Self-Discovery: An Entrepreneur’s Memoir of Growth and Transformation is available via links on www.smstroum.com.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
