Customer Reviews

Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business that Works

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 2009, after losing my "paycheck job" as a result of a cash strapped economy, I struck out in search of options and advice to start and run my own business. Not interested in having another boss, I sought to turn my office support skills into a viable, profitable business, where I would be the primary decision maker and pilot of my own financial future. While the internet and mobile tools can ease the way for some startups, I quickly learned that sustainability is a whole `nother ballgame.

I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, primarily for copy editing, and found myself nodding along with Melinda Emerson's straightforward and easily followed approach to launching (or growing) a small business. Emerson's words mirrored my own reality - in which I wear multiple hats, must have a strong support system and enough money to get through the early months (possibly years) until profitability is achieved.

My greatest take away from this book is - there is no easy street when you become your own boss. But, with solid planning, smart decision-making and industrious persistence, success and financial independence can be achieved.

I recommend that anyone who is thinking about starting a business or is stuck and needs to grow their business - read this

book - and then read it again.

I'm sorry, but could we please get a grip? Meet with venture capitalists?

It must be nice to sit atop this mythical throne, where we simply have meetings, created a logo (SERIOUSLY?), and buy CRM software and bam, we are in business?

This is beyond nonsensical. Most if not the vast majority of small businesses do not start with venture capital, nor do they need a logo or to purchase CRM software (FYI, here in 2011, there are perfectly good FREE CRM systems available like ZohoCRM to mention just one).

What passes for a 4 star book now a days is stunning.

From the earliest parts of Melinda's book, she pulls no punches. For the person thinking about starting a business of nearly any type, she gives sound advice. How many people have told you -- "Just start your business... Your passion will drive the results..." or some such nonsense. Sure you need passion and raw energy and persistence, but you also need some money, some savings, so Melinda says "Don't quit your day job... yet..." She doesn't just say start. She says PLAN. Get your life together first, then start your company.

Melinda's advice is full of common sense or I should say Uncommon Sense as it doesn't seem near as common. I've started several companies and I wish I had this book before taking off for points unknown. The book also includes some links to good free resources from the author. After many years in business for myself, there are things I definitely knew, but just as many things I never considered. I would recommend this book for those friends who have "Start My Own Company" stars in their eyes and need to know the truth - which is positive and negative. It's hard work, but rewarding work to own your own business. Two chapters stood out for me: Chapter 8 on Niche to Get Rich because I believe that the tighter your focus, the better your business. Chapter 18 was helpful because I deal with small company owners and their websites and how they approach and sell to a customer. It offered some good reminders.

Full disclosure: I'm a big fan of Melinda's work via her #SmallBizChat (a weekly real-time chat on Twitter) program and have heard her share a lot of her advice "from the trenches" so I'm a bit biased because I've seen and heard her help people, including myself. But unlike many reviews, I wasn't paid or encouraged to say positive things. Melinda Emerson's book gives useful and smart tips any biz owner can benefit from reading.

This book is a must read for anyone thinking about venturing into the entrepreneurial world. Melinda breaks down the process of starting a business into very manageable pieces, with illustrative examples, tools and common sense advice. If you are afraid you might forget something, this book doesn't. The book is quite inspiring and it's formatted like a map - showing you how to properly navigate the curves, speed bumps, and detours along the way as you start your business venture.

Buying this book was definitely a wise investment.

Melinda Emerson is a great resource for all entrepreneurs (amateur and veteran). This book covers all aspects of a business. Ms. Emerson includes dos, don'ts, and resources.

I have attended several workshops and seminars and this book is a culmination of all the material covered in these workshops and seminars.

When you read this book, you will have a clear picture of what it takes to start and grow a successful business.

I highly recommend this book for current and future business owners!!

This book is a comprehensive overview of what it takes to start your own business. Not only is it thorough in the different areas that it takes to be prepared to run a successful business, it also includes many great tips, examples, and action steps. If you are contemplating becoming a first time entrepreneur, I recommend you read this book before you quit your job as it will boost your chances of success.

Karen L. Jett, CMA

Author, Grow Your People, Grow Your Business

Facilitator of Strategic Plan-ting(tm) Workshops

I recently met Melinda Emerson at a conference where she blew me away with her poise, confidence and knowledge about small businesses. In just my hour of meeting with her, she provided me with so much knowledge that I bought the book right off of her! I really wish I had bought this book before I started my own business, Eunique Enterprises more than a year ago. Everybody always tells you that before you start a business, you need a business plan. They don't tell you that you need more than a business plan. You need a Life plan, a financial plan, a lawyer, an accountant, an online marketing plan a TEAM! This is where Melinda's book helps because she lays out each on of those things and an orderly fashion so that you can follow them over the course of a year. I also like how she includes personal anecdotes that make each piece of advice come alive. Please buy this book if you want to succeed as a small business owner.

A very informative read for anyone who is serious about taking on the role of small business owner. Each chapter offers a golden nugget to implement into an action plan.

"Become Your Own Boss In 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works" by Mrs. Melinda F. Emerson is a god-send....Period.

This book covers everything from meeting with potential venture capitalists to setting a one-year marketing budget, to selecting a logo, to purchasing customer relationship management software. Let me tell you, Mrs. Emerson leaves "No stone unturned."

You see, it doesn't matter how well-versed you are in business, If you are not able to impart information into others that will afford them the opportunity to have that same success, what good is your knowledge, your understanding, your breakthrough?

So, I appreciate Mrs. Emerson taking the time to publish her wealth of knowledge to benefit those of us who truly want to become our own boss in the next year. I also appreciate the fact that even those of us who are already on that road are never too experienced or too wealthy to learn from someone else.

I assure you that this step-by-step road map will enhance your business acumen in some way and you will want to share it with others.

As a entrepreneur preparing to launch her business, Ms. Emerson exposed all the holes in the structure of my business AND my life. I am grateful(and lucky) to have read BYOB now; I have time to restructure my business for long term success, and readjust my life to support that success.

BYOB IS THE REALITY CHECK & ENCOURAGEMENT ALL ENTRPRENEURS NEED! All the other books tell us what we want to hear, and more importantly, ignore the importance of preparing our personal lives for our business success as well. Everywhere, you see small businesses closing left & right; BYOB prepares you to the exception to the rule.