Dive Right In-The Sharks Won't Bite: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Success [Hardcover]

Jane Wesman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

From the classroom to the boardroom, working women across the country are staking out new career paths--and starting their own businesses in droves. In this guide, a veteran entrepreneur offers practical insights, street-smart tactics and savvy strategies which show women how to enjoy and profit from the new career track for business success.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Many women find psychotherapy helpful in running a business; some find that playing tennis helps them face and enjoy business competition; and women tend to publicize their businesses better than men do. Such pronouncements characterize this lively manual for female entrepreneurs by a top New York City publicist. Courage, energy and determination are prerequisites, writes Wesman, for joining the ranks of the 6.5 million women owner-managers. She goes on to give convincing and sometimes funny advice on psychological self-evaluation, hiring the essential accountant or lawyer ("three can give you three different opinions"), handling emotional employee situations (temper-losing, etc.), networking, closing a deal ("money pushes everyone's buttons") and how to get paid for it all. Particularly cogent is Wesman's analysis of the hiring process?which, in its commonsense detail, turns out to be an excellent guide, too, for those who want the jobs.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

According to the Small Business Association, the number of women entrepreneurs is increasing every year. To assist these businessowners and freelance consultants, Wesman, the founder of a firm specializing in book publicity and marketing, has written a helpful guide. With clear, practical explanations and case studies, Wesman covers the various aspects of planning and running a business. She discusses characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, financing, selecting lawyers and accountants, publicity, and advertising. A bonus is her chapter "18 Sharkproof Strategies for Entrepreneurial Success," which offers down-to-earth advice on topics from dealing with competitors to keeping a journal. The author includes a list of women's associations and organizations. Recommended for public library collections.?Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 194 pages
• Publisher: Dearborn Trade Pub; First Edition edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793111013
• ISBN-13: 978-0793111015
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,829,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written and unoriginal advice, January 11, 2000

By 

Jane Adams - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dive Right In-The Sharks Won't Bite: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Success (Hardcover)

A friend of mine gave me this book, and I was disappointed. First, I read other business books before this one and felt that they were better and gave me real advice. Second, I showed this to my boyfriend, who had a good point. Why is this a "women's guide" to success. If we are to succeed as women we don't need special treatment. These ideas are about 20 years old. Come on Jane! It's the 21st century already. Can't there be a book for both men and women?

Third, I already knew how to get a bank loan and how to make business cards. It's a very condescending book.

Read the "Seven Habits" by Stephen McCovey or "The Personal Touch" by Terrie Williams for better advice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I rarely read every word of a business book; this one I did., April 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dive Right In-The Sharks Won't Bite: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Success (Hardcover)

This was just the right book at the right time. I have notes all over the book and constantly use it as a reference. It is clear with practical suggestions. It summarizes all the main points that a person, male or female, has to learn to be successful in their own business. There are great references to delve into even further.

For women, it is inspiring. I read this when I just started the idea of a business. I needed the courage to take the plunge that would lead me on a different path that I have been on for 28 years. It was time to move on and it was scary. Not only form the point of view of a financial risk but an emotional. I just kept saying, yes, yes throughout the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about taking the opportunity to be your own boss.

Even now, after everything is coming together I still reread parts. It helps me see the forest AND the trees. I don't want to miss a single important aspect of my business and Jane Wesman has helped me. Thank you Jane.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Guide for Businesswomen, October 19, 2001

By 

Joyce R. (Miami) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dive Right In-The Sharks Won't Bite: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Success (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book. It's filled with good advice and inspiring stories. Although most of us want to believe that men and women behave and act the same way in business, that's not always the case. In addition to giving solid advice that anyone can use, whether male or female, Wesman pinpoints some of the problems that women face and provides workable ideas and solutions. Some of her insights are extremely subtle, so not everyone may understand what she's up to at first. But those women who continue to use the book as they grow their businesses, will find invaluable insights here.