How did you come up with the title of your book?
The lemonade stand is the most classic of American businesses—a symbolism of commerce with which everyone is familiar. I thought that using this symbol would allow me to simplify investment concepts in ways that are accessible and engaging. I hope to have succeeded!
What is your favorite quote? Why?
“Those who don’t depend on luck have less bad luck.”
Old Yiddish saying that says a lot about destiny and human choice.
How has your upbringing influenced your writing?
I was always reading everything from the age of 5, both fiction and non-fiction. It was the best escape. Still is! Soon after I could read, I wanted to write. It was arrogant. In elementary school, I was writing small books. My readers then were my parents. Fortunately, they still are around to be readers.
What inspires you to write?
To have my side of the story heard. There’s nothing like being able to talk without someone being able to talk back to you! In all seriousness, I really like being able to lay out my point of view on various topics, and hopefully teach something along the way.
What do you consider the most challenging part about writing a novel, or about writing in general?
It’s always a challenge to parse complex topics-- particularly those that one may take for granted-- into clear nuggets that honor the intelligence of the audience.
Did you learn anything while writing this book? If so, what was it?
Writing Lessons from the Lemonade stand taught me a lot about seeing things from my readers’ perspective; my goal, and I hope to have achieved it, was to speak to readers simply but with dignity.
What have you done to promote this book?
The book has its own Facebook page and Twitter feed, and has been featured on a number of blogs and on virtual book tours. The book has also garnered some visibility from my Huffington Post contributions and through my newsletter, The Berman Value Folio, which is published in partnership with Trefis.com and Forbes.
What are some of the best tools available today for writers?
The shingle best tool available to writers today is the ability to self-publish.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I am working on a sequel to Lessons from the Lemonade Stand that will focus on picking individual stocks.
James Berman is the president and founder of JBGlobal.com LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm specializing in asset management for high-net-worth individuals and trusts. With over 16 years of experience managing client portfolios, Mr. Berman is a specialist in value investing and asset allocation. As the president of JBGlobal LLC, the general partner of the JBGlobal Fund LP, Mr. Berman manages a global equities fund that invests in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Mr. Berman is a faculty member in the Finance Department of NYU (SCPS Division), where he teaches corporate finance. He also serves as subadvisor to Eitan Ventures LLC, a venture capital fund based in New York.
Mr. Berman has appeared on CNBC, the Fox News Channel, the Cavuto Show, and the Fox Business Channel and is frequently published and quoted in a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Fortune, Bloomberg, and CNN Money. As a regular blogger for the Huffington Post, he covers financial topics ranging from hedge funds to the economy. He writes a monthly interactive investment letter, the Berman Value Folio, a Forbes/Trefis publication.
Mr. Berman received a BA (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Harvard University and a JD from Harvard Law School.
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