A businessman has revealed how he chartered a private jet to bring her a first edition book after spending $1.5 million on the rare job, despite his wife’s disapproval.
Russell Brunson, 44, is a book-obsessed father of five who spent a month negotiating with the seller of a signed first edition of Napoleon Hill’s book The Law of Success.
Although his wife, Collette Brunson, disapproved of him spending so much money, that didn’t stop the Idaho-based father from nurturing his love of rare books.
The serial entrepreneur describes the 1925 tome as “the holy grail” of business success, and when he saw it for sale on eBay he knew he had to have it.
After a month of negotiations with both the seller and his wife, Russell secured the book, along with a collection of other Napoleon Hill works in October 2020, for a total of $2.2 million.
A businessman has revealed how he chartered a private jet to bring her a first edition book after spending $1.5 million on the rare item, despite his wife’s refusal.
Russell Brunson, 44, is a book-obsessed father of five who spent a month negotiating with the seller of a signed first edition of Napoleon Hill’s book The Law of Success.
The serial entrepreneur describes the 1925 tome as “the holy grail” of business success and when he saw it for sale on eBay he knew he had to have it.
Determined not to let the text rot under lock and key, Russell carefully brought it home on a private jet and now promises to use it as a tool to “awaken” and educate aspiring entrepreneurs.
Given its expensive backstory, Russell, who can recite parts of the book by heart, believes it will capture people’s attention and “increase its perceived value.”
However, Collette, 49, was unimpressed by the rare find and branded her husband “crazy” before warning him never to spend that kind of money on a book again.
The full-time mom rolled her eyes after discovering Russell considered him his most prized possession.
Russell said: “It is by far one of the biggest purchases I have ever made in my life.” It is the holy grail of business success and personal development. He was the first to write about these principles.
‘Most of the things you hear today from all the online self-help gurus are just regurgitations of what originally came from this book.
“It’s the only known complete copy that’s signed. When I saw it I thought, ‘Oh, that would be great to have.’
“I talked to the guy selling it and said, ‘Someday my goal is to buy it, so be prepared for me.’
After a month of negotiations with both the seller and his wife, Russell obtained the book, along with a collection of other works by Napoleon Hill in October 2020 (seen with the private jet he chartered).
Determined not to let the text rot behind lock and key, Russell carefully brought it home on a private jet and now promises to use it as a tool to “awaken” and educate aspiring entrepreneurs.
“He said he had another buyer looking at him.” I thought, “Oh no, if I’m going to achieve this one day, that day has to be now.”
He realized he had to go against his wife’s wishes and throw away the money.
Russell revealed that Collette was “stressed” about the big purchase.
He said: ‘My wife Collette rolled her eyes when she realized she had spent so much on a book. She thinks I’m crazy for most of the things I do, but she also trusts me and I wasn’t going to hurt our family, our finances or anything like that, so she was fine with that.
‘She jokingly warned me “no more big book purchases.” She doesn’t mind the small ones, but the big ones stress her out a bit.’
The book will form the centerpiece of Russell’s $25 million museum and events center. He hopes that the author’s lessons will be valued more since it is a more expensive book.
Russell, who is also the co-founder of ClickFunnels, said, “If I said, ‘I bought The Law Of Success for $500 on eBay,’ and if I tried to share that message with them now, they’re not very likely to listen.
‘If I tell them, “I spent $1.5 million on this book,” now they listen to me. Now the perceived value of what I am teaching in the book increases.
‘The story behind it helps a lot because now everyone is paying attention.
“When they come to our offices they want to see it, they want to take a photo with it, they worry about what’s inside now because of the perceived value.”
The book, housed in a specially designed light and temperature-controlled box, is currently stored off-site before being moved to its new home.
The book, housed in a specially designed light and temperature-controlled box, is currently stored in an off-site location before being moved to its new home.
The father (seen with his son) noted that he is hopeful that people will be able to see the book in its final location within a year.
Russell said: “It was great to get my hands on it for the first time, but I was really scared it would break.”
‘I love the smell of old books, so I smelled it, opened it and seeing his signature inside was incredible.
“I thought, ‘In 100 years I hope someone sees my work the same way I see this.’ I was so excited about it, it was a great experience.”
The father noted that he was hopeful people would be able to see the book in its final location within a year.
He said: ‘It’s stored offsite, in a safe. We are building a museum that will be its final place, hopefully within a year it will be finished and people will have the opportunity to see it and experience it. I love creating experiences for people.
‘Having a defined purpose, building a mastermind group, delivering more of what we do – those are the qualities we try to instil in all our entrepreneurs and get them to really buy in.
“Those three alone, not counting the rest, can change someone’s life and relationship.”
