Customer Reviews

Soul Proprietor: 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur (CD version)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jane Pollak has captured the essence of being an entrepreneur. Through insight, candor and example she illustrates all of the ups and downs of building a business. Her format is an excellent example in simplicity. The lesson to be learned is clearly and concisely presented at the top of each page and then a real-life example is presented in the body of the text. I read it through, the first time,in just two easy sittings. It is packed with honest and straightforward samplings of events that every entrepreneur in any field of endeavor has (or will) encounter. This book is entertaining, educational and inspiring. I recommend it to any aspiring entrepreneur!

So many of us 'lifestyle entrepreneurs' work alone and are committed to following our passion(s) even when it is challenging and lacks financial stability (and even reward). We can't help it - we just have to pursue our dream!

SOUL PROPRIETOR: 100 Lession from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur is a great guide and reference for beginner and experienced entrepreneurs. Short, to-the-point examples confirm that it isn't just me who struggles with some of these issues and inspires me to explore my options and keep pursuing my dreams.

(In addition to this book, which I've recommended to many entrepreneurial friends, I also own the CD of this book. Great for trips, it is just good, solid information!)

I loved reading Jane's book. She has a delightful writing style (and speaking style, for those fortunate to hear her speak) and she shares her experiences with wonderful wit and wisdom. Jane speaks and writes from the heart and clearly has interest in helping others benefit from her own experience and learning along the way. The book is written in a very readable and practical style, and any entrepreur can garner lessons from reading this book! You will likely find yourself smiling at many of Jane's stories as she so genuinely shares the ups and downs along the path to becoming an entrepreneur!

Where was Jane's book when I was starting out in business over 15 years ago? I can recall searching in vain for similar words of wisdom. I knew there had to be others-like me-dealing with the disheartening experience of not being taken seriously as a businesswoman.

Today, I consider myself more successful than I ever though possible. I learned some lessons described throughout Jane's book, the hard way. In some cases I was fortunate enough to have a mentor to easy my way.

A decade and a half of experience has not taught me all I need to know about being in business. I found Jane's book to be filled with many insights that I know will be helpful to me in the future. I also found it encouraging to know I wasn't alone, in dealing with difficulties that often arise among creative entrepreneurs.

In the book, Jane was especially adept at giving insight into dealing these "bumps in the road," and most helpful in outlining how to turn these obstacles into opportunities.

I frequently reread the book for inspiration. I have given many copies as gifts to my friends and colleages. I'm overwhelmed with their gratitude for sharing such a wonderful book. Thank you Jane for sharing your wisdom and knowledge!

Lisa Pavelka
Artist/Author
...

This book is outstanding, but it's for a targeted market: entrepreneurs (especially women) who have or want to turn their passion or hobby into a business in a way that is both professional and fulfilling. This is a new edition that includes an excellent resource section.

The book consists of 101 "Lessons" about running and succeeding in business. Topics range from aligning your course with your purpose, taking risks, implementing strategies and systems, relationship building, self-care, handling setbacks, and much more. It is based on Jane Pollak's own story of making a business out of her craft of decorating eggs...from the patronizing attitude of some friends and family to let her do her "little hobby" to its escalation to a new level when she was invited to the White House to decorate an egg for the annual Easter Egg Roll. This led to orders from prestigious retail outlets to international speaking engagements, TV appearances, and a satisfying business and life of which she had previously only dreamed.

The lessons were brutally honest, very real, and a couple of them brought me to tears because they resonated so closely with my own experiences in which I thought I was all alone. Far too many books for entrepreneurs paint pictures of easy success, fast wealth, and fairy tale satisfaction. Reading Jane's book was like sitting across the table from a trusted friend. To quote the publisher: "Ultimately, Pollak's story illustrates that structuring a business to reflect personal values is the true key to success."

This book is not going to tell you how to do everything you need, and it is likely to be more help to a budding entrepreneur than to a seasoned business person. But it is loaded with practical advice, helpful wisdom, and effective encouragement. Jane's heart for elevating others the way she was helped along the way is palpable, and it belongs on the bookshelf of any woman calling herself an entrepreneur.

I was particularly impressed with the Foreword from Jane's grown daughter Lindsey Pollak, whose admiration for her mother and new appreciation for all her mother has accomplished were very heartwarming.

If you're looking for a how-to guide or directions on how to accomplish a certain task, look elsewhere. This is a good book in it's own right though. It offers short (1-3 pages) examples and anecdotes of lessons on dealing with the trials and tribulations of owning and running a small business. It's nice to see it's not all peaches and cream.

What a wonderful book for anyone who wants to live out his or her dream! Jane Pollak shows how she made a successful business out of her passion (she's a skilled artist), and she shares the life lessons that have made her business better and the business lessons that have improved her life. Each lesson is brief and to the point, filled with such warmth, truth and humor that by the end you feel you know the author, and that she's a great person to know.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it taught me a lot of lessons that I can immediately put to use in my own business. Jane shares her fears and her failings as well as her successes and I totally admire the way she works. She is an unstoppable woman and I'm really glad this book came to my attention.

A must for anyone contemplating going into business or anyone already in business. Many helpful hints for dealing with life situations as well as business ones. It is well written and in a simple to read format.

In a portion of the book, Ms. Pollak describes an incident where someone came up to her and told her that during her speech her examples were trivial, this person could not have been more right.

As an entrepreneur, I cannot believe the hype over this book from the reviews here to the Today show. This book left me turning from page to page, thinking there was something enlightening coming somewhere right up and until the end of the book.

I would only recommend this book for the fresh out of college, any seasoned entrepreneur knows 150% more than what is in this book.