Customer Reviews

100 Best Businesses to Start When You Don't Want to Work Hard Anymore

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

 

 

This book is the typical package of business ideas. The book gets 2 stars because the few pages devoted to entrepreneurship has very little substance and the information under each idea is sparse and in many cases not helpful. In addition, there are numerous ideas that require a tremendous amount of work. The author does state that what may be work for one person, may be play to another. However, this relates to doing something you enjoy or having a passion where you don't mind putting in the time or work. The title suggests that the business ideas listed in the book will not require a great deal of time or effort, which is not the case for many of the ideas(Masonry, Restauranteur for example).

This book has some value for those that have not read similar books of this type. Otherwise, I would take a pass on this one.

I don't mean for this review to sound cruel. The simple truth is that the book provides almost no information whatsoever past its Table of Contents. There are indeed 100 jobs listed. Each one is given about one page worth of commentary -- perhaps 500 words on each topic. The most helpful thing under each topic is that the author, Ms. Rogak, offers a book or online reference to help augment the information. Sadly, however, that's about all that's here.

In other books of this subject, each job is dealt with not only more thoroughly but with more respect for the reader's time and concerns over what might be involved. Again, without meaning to be cruel, I must say that the book feels more like an outline rather than a resource. If you took photocopies or screen shots of the pages in the Table of Contents, and then did your own research by using an online search engine to look up these topics, you'd save yourself the price of the book, plus tax and shipping.

Other books on this topic, e.g. "The Best Home Businesses for People 50+" by Paul and Sarah Edwards (listed as a "buy both" promotion here on Amazon), have a great deal more "value added" than does this book. I salute the effort of having created the book; I can't recommend it, however.

This book is essentially 100 two page book reports on various small businesses that ordinary people can run. It isn't revolutionary and it isn't exactly accurate. It was nothing like I expected and not helpful to me at all. I give it only 2 stars because I believe it was innaccurate on several details and that is rather a big deal. You can get most of this information in a magazine. I'm sure for some it will be helpful, but for me it was rather a waste of time.

Although the concept of listing businesses to have is great, the execution falls short. Obviously, this is just some random listing of businesses, maybe done with a little research. I wouldn't pay more than $2 for this book. What the author fails to realize is that just because the work is fun, doesn't mean you don't work hard. Running a Bed-and-Breakfast business is fun, certainly, but be prepared for early morning cooking, and late night cleaning, while your guests enjoy their vacation.

More than half the list includes business that requires you to work hard, regardless of the fun factor. Here's a sampling: Sales, Daycare, Taxi/Delivery service, Landscaping, Recycling Pick Up. These are mostly businesses where you have to spend a lot of hours if you want to survive. You don't have a choice but to work hard at these businesses.

Some businesses, however, do allow you to not work hard, i.e. set up your own schedule. Here's a sampling: Adventure Travel Outfitting, Consulting, E-zine Publishing, Writing, Painting, Web/Computing.

The book does have value, which is why I give it more than one star. But with such little thought on the practicalities, it is way overpriced. Try other books first, and definitely download a sample before you buy!

I am not sorry that I bought this book. Lisa Rogak is very insightful and she gives lots of useful info and theories.
However, I'd like to recommend that you also buy a copy of Untapped Wealth Discovered. This book is written by two very smart and sensible authors who have lots of very valueable info and knowledge to impart.
Jeff Marquis and Kerry Harrison should be taken very seriously. Kerry has the same name as me but it's not why I like this particular book.
Good going to Lisa.