Small Business for Dummies, Second Edition [Paperback]

Eric Tyson (Author), Jim Schell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0764554816 | ISBN-13: 978-0764554810 | Edition: 2

You’re not alone if the thought of running your own business has crossed your mind. Even if your vision of a small business differs from your neighbor’s, you probably dream of being your own boss and of providing a needed service or creating a cool new product.

But your very first small-business decision may be to admit that you’re not ready for this career – at least not yet. If you’re straddling the fence, Small Business For Dummies will uncover whether this career works for you. You’ll also gain insight into getting your personal finances in order before exposing yourself to the risk of a new business, and discover how to draw a roadmap to reach your career destination. This easy-to-understand guide is also for those who want to

• Write a gang-buster business plan
• Create the right legal framework for your business
• Locate financing that suits your needs
• Develop and market your product
• Hire the right employees for the right jobs
• Build your business

You’ll also gain understanding of the tactical side of running a small business, from pricing, budgeting, business expansion, and complying with government regulations to operational issues including:

• Managing your time
• Collecting accounts receivable
• Understanding your financial statements
• Taking good care of your customers
• Locating new financing or revising existing financing

You don’t need to be a genius to run a successful small business, but you do need some help. And that’s exactly what this book is, a guide into the stimulating world of small business ownership and management.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This comprehensive and practical guide addresses how to find your business niche and time a start-up, figure out approximate costs, identify legal and tax issues, market products or services, and learn bookkeeping basics. Also recommended: Steven D. Peterson and others' Business Plans Kit for Dummies (3d ed. Wiley, May 2010.) (Library Journal, May 1, 2010) --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Back Cover

"No one should try to start a business without this book."
—Hattie Bryant, creator of the PBS series Small Business 2000

Get savvy tips to help you start and grow your business

"Eric Tyson continues his never-ending quest to help people gain economic self-sufficiency and freedom."
—Jim Collins, coauthor of Built to Last and author of Good to Great

Take control of your future and make the leap from employee to entrepreneur with this enterprising guide. From drafting a business plan to managing costs, you’ll profit from expert advice and real-world examples that cover every aspect of building your own business.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (January 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764554816
• ISBN-13: 978-0764554810
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #475,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

131 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Big Fan of the Series, but This Book Lacks Meat., March 23, 2001

By 

"bertbuster" (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Small Business for Dummies (Paperback)

First of all, Eric Tyson writes some other great books under the Dummies series, such as "Home Buying for Dummies". This book, on the other hand, is good as a primer. There are a lot of chapters that aren't critical to starting a business. Then the chapters that finally do touch at the core of starting a business, only cover the subject with a light, superficial touch. The best part about this book is that they refer you to read other books related to the subject, such as Nolo Press' "The Small Business Start-up Kit." If you can borrow "Small Business for Dummies" from a local library or friend, I recommend doing so. You can then save your money on other books that cover the various business start-up subjects in more depth. For example, there are a whole series of Nolo Press books about forming a LLC, corporation or limited partnership. They also have books dedicated to trademark registration, writing business plans, buying commercial insurance, negotiating contracts, financial management, hiring more staff, etc. And by the way, I don't have anything to do with either company. Just a guy trying to get a head in business.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the basics, minus one!, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Small Business for Dummies (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book of basic business start-up info. The only thing missing was a section or chapter on how to effectively distinguish yourself and your business from the growing community of entrepreneurs. I combined the info in "dummies" with Marion Gold's "Personal Publicity Planner: How to Market YOU." Now that's a winning combination for small business owners with few dollars to spend on advertising and promotion.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A handy, informative reference tool for entrepreneurs!, April 6, 1999

By 

Mary Chisholm ([e-mail]) (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Small Business for Dummies (Paperback)

Even if you don't have time to read another book, buy this one and keep it in the office for a reference. As a small business owner, that's what I do. I read the section(s) I need when I have questions about the myriad details of running a small business. Easy to find what you need, quick to read, and it gives you a path to follow! I also know that I'm getting advice from those who have "been there and done that!"