Customer Reviews

Small Time Operator: How to Start Your Own Business, Keep Your Books, Pay Your Taxes & Stay Out of Trouble (Small Time Operator: How to Start Your Own ... Keep Yourbooks, Pay Your Taxes, & Stay Ou)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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The book covers some business basics which makes it handy and useful for those venturing into new businesses but with limited background on how to start and run a business. The areas covered include the start-up process, marketing the business, bank accounts, bookkeeping, cash-flow forecasting, tax returns, business plans, legal entities, financing, import and export and insurance. The book is written in a simple and easy to follow style. Therefore I recommend it to budding entrepreneurs as it provides valuable advice that should help you start and nature a successful small business.

Those with some business background will likely find the book to be too basic and can therefore pass this one.

I've bought and given away several copies of previous editions of this book over the years. I just ordered this new edition because previous editions have been full of practical advice on setting up a business and giving it a good start. It's also a lot of fun to read, believe it or not! Check out reviews on amazon of the previous editions.

This book's reputation proceeded it and I found it to be all I was expecting. It is thorough without getting lost in unnecessary detail, and when more is needed, or advice specific to a region or subject, he leaves the reader with clear guidance on where it can be found.
As a self-employed contractor, designer, millwork and furniture maker, my 37 years of experience has born out all his advice and I have made my share of - if not all - the mistakes he warns of. And done some of the right things. He comes as close as I've found so far to a source of advice on not just what's right to do, but what's practical, what's realistic and (even) what people can get away with.
I will be using "Small Time Operator" as an adjunct text for the cabinetshop management classes I teach at our local community college.

I gave this book to my son years ago because I had read that it was particularly good. He started what has become a multi-million dollar business and still credits Small Time Operator as his bible in the first few years.
Since I am starting a small home-based business in my retirement, I bought it for myself. I bought another much thicker book at a bookstore while I waited for Small Time Operator to arrive in the mail. Both books are good, but Small Time Operator is SO down to earth, so fundamental, so full of common sense that it is really the ultimate guide for getting a small business started from scratch. It's also well-written, so you won't fall asleep.

A great resource for anyone who is setting up or running a small business.
Has good practical information that the typical small business owner needs.

I bought this book because it was recommended by David Blume, the ethanol guru (see Ethanol Can Be A Gas). Although I've been in business for myself virtually all of my adult life, it covers things I never really understood. I wish I had read it years ago!

Well worth the price and so very helpful to someone starting to think of going into business.