Start Small, Finish Big: 15 Key Lessons to Start--and Run--Your Own Successful Business [Paperback]

Fred DeLuca (Author), John P. Hayes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

Written by the co-founder of the Subway sandwich franchise, this text provides insight, advice, and inspiration for the millions of people who dream of someday starting their own business.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

DeLuca was only 17 when he started what is now the Subway restaurant chain in 1965; he needed money to attend college and a friend offered to back him with $1,000 to start a sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Conn. That beginning led DeLuca to an enormously successful career: in addition to being president of the chain, he runs MILE, a nonprofit organization that offers loans to entrepreneurs. According to DeLuca, there are 15 essential principles for anyone starting a small business, some of which, DeLuca confesses, he learned the hard way (he had never made a submarine sandwich before opening day of his first shop). Among these pillars: Believe in Your People; Never Run Out of Money; Keep the Faith; and Profit or Perish. DeLuca uses his own business experience as well as that of other successful entrepreneursAe.g., the founders of Kinko's and Little Caesar'sAin addition to those of less well-known business people. Written in a conversational style, the advice isn't especially original or creative. However, would-be millionaires who are sitting at their kitchen table wondering if they should take that big step and start a business will find the book both instructive and inspirational. Agent, Bob Diforio.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

DeLuca, cofounder in 1965 of SUBWAY Restaurants and founder in 1996 of the Micro Investment Lending Enterprise (MILE), a nonprofit organization making microloans to entrepreneurs/microentrepreneurs, has written this humorous, down-to-earth guide to success as a small business owner. Coauthor Hayes is a writer (Computer Architecture and Organization, 1998), public speaker, and business trainer. Each chapter describes one of DeLuca's 15 key lessons and is illustrated with a real-life case study. None of the people in these cases is a household name, but businesses such as Kinkos, Little Caesars, and SUBWAY are. DeLuca doesn't claim that his guides form a master plan for success, but he optimistically believes that anyone can become Bill Gates, Lillian Vernon, or Henry Lay and that his lessons will increase the chances. His book also promotes and supports MILE, and the last chapter and appendix are devoted to information about it and its programs. Recommended for most small business collections.
Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446677566
• ISBN-13: 978-0446677561
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,362,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Start Small Finish Big: Fifteen Key Lessons to Start and Run Your Own Successful Business (Hardcover)

This is an easy to read book with important advice from people who have experienced the business world.

Some advice they had to learn on their own after many years in the business. So you may save many years by learning the lessons here first.

Some of the anecdotes by some of the business people are unnecessary. But most of them are very helpful.

Also, the author promotes his microentrepreneur organization (that gives small loans to hopeful busnesss-start-ups) that I really wasn't interested in.

But some of the things I learned in here are priceless. So I think it's a very worthwhile book, and recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Street smart advice for small businesses, August 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Start Small Finish Big: Fifteen Key Lessons to Start and Run Your Own Successful Business (Hardcover)

Most books aimed at small businesses omit the basic (though not always obvious) advice needed to choose a business, get it started and keep it profitable. This is where Start Small, Finish Big excels. Especially valuable are the chapters on when to borrow money (The answer is not when you need it.) and choosing your business idea. If you have been thinking about starting a business, but never have taken the step, this is the book you need to get you going.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start Small Finish Big, September 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Start Small, Finish Big: 15 Key Lessons to Start--and Run--Your Own Successful Business (Paperback)

The most motivational book on business I have ever read. If you have ever doubted yourself, read this book.