The Business of Bliss: How To Profit From Doing What You Love [Hardcover]

From the Editors of Victoria Magazine (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999

Featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. “This book is certainly blissful to look at...inspirational. It is full of lush, soft-focus photographs of women running businesses.”—The Wall Street Journal. “Entrepreneurs who daydream about converting a hobby into a career should consult The Business of Bliss.”—USA Today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Entrepreneurs who daydream about converting a hobby into a career should consult The Business of Bliss: How to Profit From Doing What You Love. Bliss is by Janet Allon and the editors of Victoria magazine... Most of the 74 businesses profiled have appeared in the magazine. This is a pretty book filled with fetching photos of handmade vintage dresses, jewelry, flower arrangements, pillows and sweets -- so much so, it looks more like a compilation of impressionist art than a book about business owners. Don't turn to Bliss for the nitty-gritty on start-ups. But. . .it's an inexpensive way to get a glimpse into the entrepreneurial life without suffering any of the drawbacks." -- Christine Sparta, USA Today

From the Inside Flap

If you thought it was impossible to make money doing what you love, think again. Hundreds of thousands of women do succeed, and you can too. More than any other publication in America, Victoria magazine has celebrated women who have turned their dreams into profitable businesses. In this inspiring new book, their stories come alive to encourage you to achieve your own business of bliss:

--Fashion editor Cornelia Powell left stressful corporate life to open a vintage bridal shop.

--Homemaker Patti Upton built Aromatique, now a 500-person company, inspired by a product she created "just for fun."

--Rachel Ashwell founded Shabby Chic, a chain of interior design shops, and has written several bestselling books.

--Sisters Mickey Kelly and Susan Kelly Panian, tired of retail life, turned their home-furnishings store into a flourishing mail-order business.

--Elizabeth Terry nurtured her passion for food into a thriving restaurant, Elizabeth on 37th in Savannah.

Behind every successful woman is a tale of self-reliance, persistence, and the joy of following one's heart. Author Janet Allon, a New York Times reporter, distills the essence of the entrepreneur and explains the secrets of:

--choosing your niche in the marketplace

--working with family and friends

--creating a place that reflects your style

--finding the courage to take risks

--turning mistakes to your advantage

In an extensive resource section, listings of the most useful publications, websites, and professional associations guide you toward your goal. Whether you want to be a hatmaker or a shoemaker, a potter or a pastry chef, you'll find the way in The business of Bliss.

Introduced in 1987 and enjoyed by four million readers every month, Victoria magazine devotes its articles to fashion, home, and cooking. It has also featured more than 2000 women who have turned their passions into full-time professions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hearst; 1st edition (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688160840
• ISBN-13: 978-0688160845
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,241,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book for inspiration or business ideas., October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Business of Bliss: How To Profit From Doing What You Love (Hardcover)

The Business of Bliss is a pleasant read with more than 60 stories of businesses created from a desire to use one's creative talents. Buttons, pastries, and country inns are all shared with the same enthusiasm. This book is absolutely full of good ideas if you would like to start a business but need some creative suggestions. The business owners share their experiences honestly and tell both the good and the bad. Mixed in with the feel-good stories are bits and pieces of business advice. Although the advice is valid, it's not extensive, and is generally over-simplified. The authors attempt to cover the area of promotion in 24 sentences. The book's primary thrust is the stories of those who have succeeded making a business from their creative talents. They share a number of wonderful stories that do a find job of making the reader feel good as well as providing motivation. If you need inspiration or ideas on what sort of creative business to start, this book is a very good resource. It's a fast read in an easy-to-follow format mixed with many beautiful photographs. If you're looking for a real "how to run a business" book, there are better choices in our library.

(c)1999, VentureConsult.com

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing like it, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Business of Bliss: How To Profit From Doing What You Love (Hardcover)

This is a book not like any other I've read. It's gorgeous, and a pleasure to hold. It's thick, glossy pages are filled with beautiful and insipirational photographs of women, their products and businesses.

The tales of real life women entrepreneurs who have founded their businesses out of their passions, from antique shops to restaurants and many others, were refreshing and insiprational. The book is also lightly peppered with helpful information on starting your own 'business of bliss'. But turn to this book for stories that will inspire you - not a 'how-to' manual. A delightful read!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inspiration Even for Practical People :), July 26, 2000

By 

tashina (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of Bliss: How To Profit From Doing What You Love (Hardcover)

It's true there isn't a lot of info in this book on the nuts and bolts of running a business; however, that's not what this book is about. Filled with many photos of beautiful craft-y shops and products, it instead helps provide real-life stories from people who were successful in making money doing what they love even though most of them knew little about running a business when they started. After buying this book a year or more ago, I started my own craft business and it was profitable the very first month! Now I can work with no bosses telling me what to do and even have my husband at home working with me now (which I love). I was just rereading the book tonight and still love it just as much as I did the first time I read it. It's a keeper.