Customer Reviews

The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants

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As a new small business owner, I've devoured several books written on the topic of starting a business. Most have a few good kernels of knowledge in them somewhere, but none are as consistently helpful as this book.

The author, Tom Gegax, has a great deal of personal experience starting and growing companies, most of which seem to be in the tire industry. If you're business is not merchandise-based, but service-based, this book is still very pertinent. Topics like vision and values are discussed, as well as some interesting marketing ideas. Adapting the information into a business plan for a Web company was easy and enjoyable.

Be prepared for Mr. Gegax's very zealous approach to business. It borders on fanatical at times. If you shy away from corporate structures due to their "you must believe" mindset, you'll flinch a few times while reading, but it's still excellent counsel.

From a tactile standpoint, this book is great. The binding is well constructed, and the print is slightly large and easy to read.

I cannot recommend this book enough if you're starting your own business. Double that recommendation if you own your own business and need a shot of inspiration.

I also recommend Joe Kennedy's Small Business Owner's Manual available on Amazon.

Have you ever been stuck on an important issue and did not know where to turn?, did you ever wonder what would an expert do in this situation?, from employee reviews, Strategic Planning, Building your Brand, creating a atmosphere that is positive and fun for everyone to be in, Tom's book is your reference. This is the book (business bible) I keep closest to me while sitting at my desk. When a little question comes up in my mind what would Tom do? I simply turn you my Business Bible and read the simple outline Tom has created for me and that's it. In minutes I have an answer. "The Big Book of Small Business" is a must read for all management. I purchased this book for all my team members and we have 30 minute meetings each week and go over a chapter it not only keeps all of us thinking as a team but opens us up to better communication and role playing. Tom I thank you so much for writing this and sharing your experience with us it has made a big difference in the Success at ALSI.

The principles set forth in Tom Gegax's book, The Big Book of Small Business, are sound and if applied to your business will have a significant impact on your bottom line - I know, because I have used them. Where most books on business are heavy on theory, this book provides practical solutions based on real-life experiences - solutions that can be applied to any business - solutions that will result in an immediate payoff. This book is for every leader interested in improving their personal performance and that of their company. It truly is a decision maker's guide to best practices.

If you could take all the best practices of business today and consolidate them into one manual, you would have an invaluable book but it would be about the size of the average American house. I believe "The Big Book for Small Business" by Tom Gegax is the "Cliff Notes" version of these best practices, I found this guide to be extremely valuable as an entrepreneur who owns four businesses and have made it required reading for all my employees.

Since one of my businesses is in an emerging market, I have done the unthinkable. I have sent my competitors CEO's copies of the book as well because I also believe in what Tom so eloquently stated, "A rising tide raises all boats". If we as industry can all utilize the advice contained in this book, our industry will grow to its incredible potential.

This is the best business book I have ever read and find myself coming back to it time and time again for strategy and execution ideas. This is 100% meat and zero fluff. My sincere congratulations to the author for delivering a business book masterpiece.

Best Regards,
Brian Brasch, President
Branick Industries Inc.

It doesn't give you all the details about how to do each task, but it give you a good idea about what should be on your task list, how to prioritize them based on your situation, and where to get the details.

I was with Tom at Tires Plus for over 25 years. Tom was always a strong advocate for education, and is now sharing this talent with small businesses that seek his help. The Big Book of Small Business is a "must read" for any individual starting a new business or for those who are already involved in one. This book offers a quick business overview and is also an excellent reference tool.


Don Gullett, Co-Founder

Tires Plus

As our business continues to grow, continuous improvement and better systems are critical to our sustained success. I decided to start with me and looked for allies/mentors to tap. The Big Book is one of my in-house, at-hand resources that begins with personal development as precursor to leadership development. Next, there are step-by-step guides to help me define and create a work environment that motivates and engages our team to fulfill our vision. Lots of best practices, lots of practical wisdom. Much appreciation to Tom for caring enough to share his learnings.

Having embarked on a journey a couple of years ago to "get off my knees" and grow my small remodeling business into something more sustainable and worthy of being called a business, I've been in search of all the help I could find to fill in the gaps in my business knowledge.

This book is where I should have started. The real life wisdom in this book provides answers and solutions to many of the common problems that small business entrepreneurs encounter. At the very least, it provides an outline of "what to do" and "where to start".

But, Beware. You will need to be ready to admit and submit to the simple fact that, if you really need this book, as I did, you will walk away with the humility of knowing that you have a TON of work to do on yourself and your business. The good news is, after digesting this information, you will at least have a starting point.

This is a great read!

Tom Gegax has done it again with The Big Book of Small Business...an outstanding "how to" commentary on starting and running a small (or not-so-small) business. A "must read" for anyone looking for a ready resource and "kitchen helper" in owning, operating and otherwise "worrying" a closely-held business. As the previous head of the Private Company Practice Group in my law firm, I can see how this book would have been of great help to many of my clients. As a person who once taught a course in Business Planning, I wish that at the time I had had Tom's book in hand to help students learn many of the practical aspects of running a business: managing people, strategic planning, negotiating commercial relationships, compliance etc - the list goes on.
Again, congratulations to Tom Gegax.
William R. Hibbs, Retired Partner, Dorsey & Whitney, PLLP, Minneapolis

Absolutely a fabulous book. Anyone who has ever run a business or plans to in the future will find this book a great asset. Tom Gegax delivers another winner.
William Cabot