“Although I personally enjoy my work quite a bit, I know this is not the case for each member of the King Of Pops team all the time. We owe it to them to do better. We want more people to take ownership of their work lives and, if we can help it, have a good time.”

Work is Fun by Steve Carse

“It’s really pretty simple: love why you do, and that love will be returned tenfold.”

Thank you, Netgalley & Brilliance Audio for the Advanced Listener's Copy of the audiobook!
This guy?! This is what I would recommend to anyone in a management position or someone who is looking to utilize every tool in their arsenal as a forward-facing business owner. I might even gift my managers one just for the fun of it. I had never heard of King of Pops prior to this, most likely due to geographical distance, but I'll be on the lookout for them now. Steve has kind of hit the motherload of wealth here - not wealth by the monetary standard, but fulfillment wealth. And to think that this all happened by chance, due him being laid off from his corporate job? Wow. Kind of incredible, its too bad this marketable success can't happen to everyone. (But I do believe in fate and chance encounters)

“There was always a new idea, and we were not afraid to try it. Whether or not the ideas come to fruition doesn’t matter. We will continue to push each other forward because that is what we have to do. We’re proud of what we do, we’re proud of what we make, we’re proud of who we work with, we’re proud of how we’ve grown.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through their experiences and will be walking away with different perspectives, tools, and thoughts to live my best work life and possibly give me guidance as an entrepreneur. It should all be meaningful, right?

“The fun isn’t in the destination, it’s in the journey to get there. The story matters. As humans we crave the meaning that stories provide, real meaning. Meaning that can’t be distilled to a mission statement posted to break room wall.”

Work Is Fun by Steven Carse is a refreshing and inspiring audiobook that challenges the conventional notion of work as a mere means to an end. Carse, the co-founder of King of Pops, uses his own journey with his hand-crafted ice pop brand to illustrate how incorporating fun, creativity, and purpose into your daily tasks can not only enhance your job satisfaction but also improve your overall quality of life.

Through seven straightforward principles, Carse encourages listeners to rethink how they approach work. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy in what you do by living out a meaningful story, taking pride in your work, and creating a positive work environment. His lessons are not just about finding more fulfillment but also about creating a sustainable and enjoyable workplace culture—whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or employee.

Carse's narrative is engaging, full of personal anecdotes that bring his lessons to life. He provides practical strategies that can be easily applied to any job or business, making this audiobook especially valuable for young professionals or anyone looking to reignite their passion for their career. His insights on fostering team spirit, balancing work with life, and slowing down to appreciate the present are both empowering and grounded in real-world success.

Work Is Fun is a motivational and thought-provoking audiobook that invites listeners to view their jobs not just as a way to earn a paycheck but as a path to personal fulfillment. It’s an essential listen for anyone wanting to make their work more enjoyable and meaningful, proving that having fun at work can be both personally satisfying and good for business.

Work is Fun by Steven Carse is an inspiring and refreshing look at how we can transform our work experience into something more meaningful and enjoyable. Carse brings an energetic and optimistic perspective, blending real-world insights with engaging storytelling. His passion for creating a fulfilling work environment is contagious, making this book a great motivational read for anyone feeling stuck in a routine.

What stands out most is Carse’s ability to reframe work not as a necessary burden but as an opportunity for creativity, connection, and personal growth. While some advice may feel more aspirational than practical, the overall message is uplifting and encourages a shift in mindset that can make a real difference.

If you're looking for a book that challenges traditional work culture and inspires a more joyful approach to your career, Work is Fun is definitely worth a read!

Work Is Fun is a business and leadership book set to release on April 1 🎉

Steve Carse is the co-founder and CEO of King of Pops, an ice pop company based in the American south. He writes about 7 principles that can shape how you have fun at work:

🍓story
🍑patience
🍌ownership
🍋pride
🥝play
🍏teamwork
🫐tension

Steve tells us up front that by the end of this book we may determine our workplace is too toxic or we really do need a change, but “This book is not about the search for finding something else to work on. It’s about refining your approach to work.”

This really resonated with me. It’s true — if we’re not engaged in what we’re doing presently and don’t know our purpose in the company, leaving our roles to do the same thing somewhere else won’t make work more fun.

Maybe it’s the ice pops or Steve’s enthusiasm about business, but I found this book both useful and enjoyable! The narrator of the audiobook struck the perfect tone of being motivational but not cringey.

If you’re feeling stuck at work, this is a great read to change your mentality and get you back on track.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Steve Carse for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#kingofpops #stevecarse #arc #netgalley #businessbook #entrepreneurship #bookreview #bookish #bookstagram #icepops