Entrepreneurs Are Made Not Born [Paperback]

Lloyd E. Shefsky (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070577234 | ISBN-13: 978-0070577237 | Publication Date: June 11, 1996

Many Americans want to join the ranks of the successful entrepreneurs. They'd love to pick the brains of the self-made moguls - and now they can - in this collection of "how-to-wisdom" from 200 magnates and "entrepreneurs" such as Ben Cohen, (Ben & Jerry's homemade ice cream), Fred Smith (Federal Express) and Debbi Field (Mrs Field's cookies). Going far beyond or biography, entrepreneurial expert Lloyd E. Shefsky draws from each interviewee's experiences to develop targeted lessons in entrepreneurship. Not just for fledgling and current entrepreneurs, this book will also appeal to venture capitalists, bankers, accountants, lawyers, and everyone who must understand entrepreneurs to deal with them better.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The premise here is that anyone can learn to be an entrepreneur. Shefsky, founder of a law firm counseling start-up businesses, interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs for this work. Citing dozens of firms, such as Federal Express, Microsoft, McDonald's, Mary Kay Cosmetics and Mrs. Fields Cookies, the author analyzes the psychology and temperament of their innovators and explains such vital factors as financing, a firm business plan, confidentiality, risk acceptance, a distinctive presence, tradition busting and choosing the right partner. Shefsky's often humorous staccato exposition is peppered with anecdotes and later leavened by more deliberate reflections on workaholism, fear of failure, rule breaking and other concepts. This is a book would-be entrepreneurs can profit from. Major ad/promo; Fortune Book Club, Business Week Book Club and Newbridge Executive Program alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Shefsky, a lawyer specializing in entrepreneurship, uses inspirational vignettes to illustrate how people can take an idea or skill and parlay it into their own business. The emphasis here is on the psychological aspects of going into business (developing self-confidence, overcoming fear of failure, etc.) and short on the how-to aspects of running a business. There is little in the way of guidance on raising money or writing a business plan, for example. Shefsky provides the stories of numerous entrepreneurs (both famous and otherwise) and shows how they overcame barriers (such as initial failure) to follow their dreams and prosper. There is a tendency to view all business failure as a precursor to later prosperity (which may not always be true), but many readers are sure to be motivated by the book's message of success. For public libraries.
M. Uri Toch, P.L. of Cincinnati & Hamilton Cty.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Glencoe/Mcgraw-Hill (June 11, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070577234
• ISBN-13: 978-0070577237
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,001,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars So what?, December 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Entrepreneurs Are Made Not Born (Paperback)

You'll probably get a pretty good idea of the book's subject by reading the other reviews. What I would like to tell you about is the style the book's been written in.

Suppose, you're afraid of, say, flying. You're scared that the plane would crash. When you'd ask Mr. Shefsky for help, he would probably tell you something like this:

"Well, you're afraid of flying because you've heard all the terrible stories about airplane crashes with tens of people killed. Never mind, just get on that airplane. Sure, something may gone wrong with the plane. It may fall down and you may be sitting there helpless among the other panicked passengers, unable to do anything about the accident. Eventually, the plane would crash on the ground and everybody would get killed. So you're dead. What's the big deal? Don't be afraid of it."

And if you're still not convinced, he might tell you the following story:

"You know, there was a guy in New York called John Smith. He needed to get to Los Angeles, but he was afraid of flying. He got on the airplane anyway, flew to Los Angeles and nothing happened to him. Since then, he has beein flying from NY to LA and back tens of times and he never had an accident."

After that, Mr. Shefsky would start to tell you five more stories like this, but you probably wouldn't be listening to him anymore.

The book's surprisingly feeble. It delivers some useful information but most of it is pretty trivial. I mean, if you don't already know the things Mr. Shefsky is telling, then you have a very long way to go. Actually, the book's so poorly written that it doesn't even deserve to be called bad. You know, bad books are the ones that make me angry or depressed. "Entrepreneurs Are Made Not Born" didn't awake any emotions in me. It's like a casual conversation with no content, structure or purpose. After finishing the book, I just wondered if Mr. Shefsky was trying to say something.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRATIONAL PAGE TURNER, December 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Entrepreneurs Are Made Not Born (Paperback)

I had put off starting my business for years, always finding good excuses. Then I read Shefsky's book and pulled it all together. Now, I am building my business and having the time of my life!!! I only wish that I had Shefsky representing me years ago!!!! A great read full of fresh insight and guided inspiration. It's a must read for anyone wishing to advance in the business world today.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational reference for future entrepreneurs, June 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Entrepreneurs Are Made Not Born (Paperback)

A factual and inspirational reference for anyone who has ever considered starting their own business. Prepare to have your mind opened to different ways of thinking. By the time I read the last page, I had three solid, original ideas for starting my own company. Rob Sullivan (author) Climbing Your Way to the Bottom: Changing the Way You Approach Your Job Search