Successful Failure

Lessons Learned Flat on My Face

By: Kevin Fredericks

Narrated by: Kevin Fredericks

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Being successful is no laughing matter . . . unless the road there is littered with flops, fool’s errands, fizzles, and straight-up failures—from the New York Times bestselling co-author of Marriage Be Hard.

“I’m so happy Kev failed, because these stories will set so many free from perfection!”—Tabitha Brown, bestselling author of Feeding the Soul

Kevin Fredericks (aka KevOnStage) is a viral stand-up star, an NAACP Image Award–winning comedian, the founder of KevOnStage Studios, a New York Times bestselling author, and a superstar on social media. But his path to success wasn’t always smooth. As a kid, Kevin noticed something useful: If he made people laugh, the grown-ups would let him stay up late. In church plays, his commitment to the role of Goliath led to a busted lip, and the audience couldn’t get enough. He dreamed of becoming a performer, of finding that big break that would launch him into the bright lights of pop culture fame. But as he soon found, the road to the life we want is longer, weirder, more embarrassing, and more entertaining than we think it will be.

In Successful Failure, the comedian recounts hilarious stories and sincere insight from his adventures (and misadventures) trying to make it in life. From performing under an alias to avoid getting fired from his suit-and-tie day job to breaking a chair onstage and quitting stand-up for six months, from pooping his pants on a bus next to his future wife to starting a clothing line called Dreams Don’t Die (they sure do if the merch doesn’t sell), Kevin reminds readers that while we might not be The Rock, Warren Buffett, or Kevin Hart, we’re all out here trying, and that’s okay.

Laugh-out-loud in one moment and perceptive in the next, Successful Failure is a wild ride from one of America’s funniest comics and a sendup of our ideals around hustle culture and success.

Critic reviews

“I’m so happy Kev failed, because these stories will set so many free from perfection!”—Tabitha Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Feeding the Soul

“As someone who’s caught quite a few Ls myself on my own journey to success (and is still catching them!), I relate to Kev’s hysterical honesty, bold transparency, and earnest desire for readers to learn from his mistakes as they fulfill their dreams. There’s wishful thinking and there’s practical application—Successful Failure offers both (but HEAVY on the practical . . . and we thank Kev for it!)”—Yvonne Orji, actor, comedian, and author of Bamboozled by Jesus

“Failure is often funny. Especially when Kev fails. So get this book. You’re going to learn some things, laugh, and find out that you can’t be scared to fail out here.”—Tony Baker, actor and comedian

“Fredericks’s . . . affable tone and can-do attitude bolster his valuable advice to view one’s career in less binary terms—‘Failure isn’t the end, but neither is success,’ he contends, describing personal growth and fulfillment as the real payoff. The result is an upbeat encouragement for readers to pick themselves up and try again.”—Publishers Weekly

Great

Great. This is just a great book. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a funny, humble, and candid story.

So inspiring…

I’ve been a long time fan of Kev so to hear this side of his story takes my respect and admiration for him and his body of work to new heights.

Very Relatable

Written from a very authentic place. I am so glad Kevin shared his stories. And I’m glad it was read in his own voice. There are so many inspiring, funny, and cautionary lessons to take away from this book. I am grateful for him being open enough to share one of his greatest losses - which has helped me cope with a similar one of my own…

Funny, Personable and Inspiring

I’ve always been a fan of Kevin and his wife, the Fredericks. I just love the values they represent and the way they carry themselves. It’s such a beautiful thing to watch people who look like you—who started with regular jobs but dared to dream bigger—walk boldly in their purpose.

The way Kevin navigated this book felt so personal and relatable. I think a lot of us can connect to that feeling of not always having it all together, or believing that once we finally do, nothing could ever go wrong. His vulnerability really stood out to me-especially how he owned his mistakes and shared the lessons he learned along the way. That level of honesty says a lot about his character. I also learned so much about his journey.

It’s amazing to see how far he’s come—from performing in small local comedy clubs to becoming a two-time New York Times best-selling author and hosting his own show on a major network. Hard work truly pays off, but this book reminded me that timing is everything. Kudos to him! 🙌🏽

What a journey

I’ve followed Kevin’s content for over 10 years now. He has had an unbelievable journey in the entertainment industry. I appreciate his honesty and bravery in sharing his story, trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Not only was this inspirational, but sad, hilarious, and thought provoking. Even when the light is dim, never give up on your dreams!!!!