Start Your Own Business [Paperback]

Rieva Lesonsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2007 | Series: Start Your Own

YOUR ROAD MAP to BUSINESS SUCCESS

From the editors of Entrepreneur magazine, this bestselling business startup book has helped hundreds of thousands of readers start their own businesses. Revised, expanded and updated, the 4th edition will help you save time and money, minimize mistakes and maximize profits.

Our practical, easy-to-follow advice takes you step by step through the startup journey and guides you through the first three years of business ownership. You'll find the comprehensive, in-depth information you need to bring your business to life, plus dozens of work sheets and checklists you can use to measure your progress along the way.

HERE'S MORE OF WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE:

HOW TO get business ideas and pinpoint your target market

SECRETS OF successful marketing, from building a brand and promoting your business online to free and low-cost promotion ideas and effective selling techniques

HOW TO harness the power of the internet to simplify startup and increase your chances of business success

CREATIVE WAYS to finance startup and growth

HOW TO take advantage of the latest technology to set up an efficient business on a budget

PLUS: Contact information and websites for hundreds of resources, including startup assistance sources, government offices and small-business-friendly banks

Editorial Reviews

Review

Get set, go! Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Your Own Business claims to be "The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need."

That sounds mighty boastful, but the author's credentials are strong, the book loaded with business resources and the information is down-to-earth (Everything you need to start a successful business... except the money, But we'll show you how to get that, too!")

Author Rieva Lesonsky and the staff of Entrepreneur Magazine put together the book which starts with "Are you ready to be an entrepreneur?" and goes on to starting versus buying, choosing the name attracting investors, hiring employees, location, loans, image, leasing versus buying equipment, choosing a phone system, learning from failure - all the nitty-gritty stuff, plus some long-term thinking.

Lesonsky, Entrepreneur's Vice President / Editorial Director, frequently speaks at small-business conferences and appears on TV and radio business programs. -- Geneevieve Buck, Chicago Tribune --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Everything you need to start a successful business... except the money. (But we'll show you how to get that too!)

Whether you're just thinking of starting a business, have taken the first steps, or already have your own business, this comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide can help ensure your success.

It walks you through every aspect of the start-up process - from evaluating your business ideas to laying the groundwork to day-to-day operations.

Written in a friendly, down-to-earth style, Start Your Own Business makes it easy to understand even the most complex business issues so you can reach your goals and enjoy the rewards of owning your own business . Inside you'll find:

Easy-to-navigate format loaded with work sheets, tip boxes, features, charts, graphs and illustrations.

Practical, proven, hands-on techniques so you can get started right away.

Expert guidance from the nation's leading small-business authority, backed by over 20 years of business experience.

We say this is the "the only start-up book you'll ever need" and we're not kidding. Business ownership is the new American dream-- everyone wants to start their own business, but most folks simply don't know how. That's where we come in -- we tell you how to do it.

No matter what stage of the new business development process you're in, this book can help you. Start Your Own Business is designed to help you navigate your own path to business ownership. We're here to instruct and inspire, to tell you the things you don't know and remind you of the things you do. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 700 pages
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press; 4 edition (March 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599180812
• ISBN-13: 978-1599180816
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

294 of 310 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a complete guide for budding entrepreneurs. September 20, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Stop the presses - This is the most comprehensive book I have seen for anyone who wants to start a business. I have seen a lot of books on starting a business and this the best one. After spending at least $125 on books, I wish I bought this one first and saved over $80. If you are afraid you might forget something, this book doesnąt. All aspects of a business is covered. And what it does not completely explain, it gives you information as to where you can get it. Start Your Own Business is perfect for those who want to start a selling product or a retail store. It might be a little overkill for a service business, BUT the amount of resource information makes up for this. This is what Entrepreneur Magazine does for a living and it is well worth it. Buy this before you start!

89 of 91 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful book August 11, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

While I don't agree with the author in that this is the only book I'll ever need, it is one of the book that I can't do without. This book was extremely useful when I was starting my own business; it really guided me in the right direction. Without this book and Guerilla PR Wired by Michael Levine, I would probably be only dreaming of my own business instead of actually owning one.

113 of 121 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best primer on running a business I've seen January 24, 2003

By RMurray847 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very comprehensive (and big!) book. It covers all the basic steps you need to know about starting and running a business, from business forms to accounting to buying insurance to employee issues to purchasing. No one subject is covered in great depth, of course, but reading the book gives you a VERY GOOD IDEA of what kind of work you're getting yourself into when you run a new, small business.

Not every chapter will be worthwhile (I pretty much skipped the chapter on how to select office equipment) but most chapters are worth a quick look, and many were worth in depth review. Of all the "basic overview" type books about starting and running a small business that I've plunked down money for, this one is the best, HANDS DOWN!

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but not the only start up book you'll need if you run a service business. October 11, 2006

By Spanish/English Instructor

Format:Paperback

This book is very good. However, the bookkeeping and financing chapters help somewhat, but don't cover service businesses. The author assumes the business you'll be starting will be selling a product, or starting a service business with products together, i.e. home remodeling, interior decorating, etc. I am starting a tutoring business, so I will have no products to sell, no vendors, and no inventory. So, if your'e starting a strictly service based business like massage therapy, house-cleaning, pet-sitting, tutoring, etc, and have no products to sell, then you'll probably need to get an additional book that's geared toward just service businesses. I think they need to add a chapter devoted to only these kinds of businesses.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very helpful April 12, 2002

By Diego Caban-Delgado

Format:Paperback

This book is really packed with a lot of information and resources for the entrepreneur-to-be. Covers all aspects to be concidered when starting a new business, be it a home-based, a franchise, buying an already established business, etc. and even advises on which legal structure is more adecuate for your type of business. Has a lot of links to the web which can offer tremendous help on this matter. Buy, have it borrowed, do whatever, but read it. You wont regret it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter book May 1, 2005

By Shane A. Brewer

Format:Paperback

"Start Your Own Business" is a great book for the first time business owner, or anyone who is thinking about owning a business. The book covers a wide range of topics from idea conception, to choosing a business structure, obtaining financing, performing market research, buying equipment, basic accounting, etc. This book covers almost every topic related to starting a business.

That being said, the book doesn't go into great detail on most of the topics, it merely introduces each aspect and explains the most important parts. However this book is quite incomplete without additional information.

Regardless this book has some great information in an easy to read format. The book includes some great web sites that give more information on particular topics but I wish that the author would have included more book recommendations.

If you are thinking about owning your own business, this book is for you. But if you already own a business, this may be too elementary for you. But if not, I highly recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLE BUSINESS GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS April 26, 2006

By VAL ODUENYI

Format:Paperback

The first thing anyone considering this book should bear in mind is that it was written for inexperienced would-be entrepreneurs. Non-beginners would not appreciate its simplified outlook.

"Start Your Own Business" provides all the basic advice and guidance in getting a small business up and running in a matter days. Each chapter comprises of salient points, which were explained using simple terms. The coverage of these chapters include: business planning, administration, finance and marketing. There is also valuable information on how to articulate and manage customer relations, information technology, as well as enterprise growth and expansion.

Indeed, floating and keeping an enterprise running is a very demanding task, and the pieces of advice found in this book could make the difference between success and failure.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for someone thinking about starting a small business. Easy to read format and easy to comprehend. September 15, 2006

By Jeff Lippincott VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

There is a lot to starting a business. Some people KNOW what business they want to get involved with and start. While others are clueless. The clueless bunch are the ones who should consider reading this book. It covers quite a few topics that an entrepreneur must consider when starting a business. But it does not go overboard going into too much detail on any of the topics.

The book covers the following issues:

1. Do you have a business concept? Are you qualified to start a business (do you have what it takes)?

2. Researching your business concept and writing a business plan

3. Financing your business: family, friends, banks, angels, VC firms

4. Getting started in business after you have a sound business plan written

5. Marketing, promoting, publicity, advertising, customer service, and the Internet

6. Bookkeeping and taxes

I thought the book was well-written and fairly well organized. It is divided into eight parts. I would have liked it better if Parts 4 and 5 had been consolidated into one section called "Getting Started." I also would have liked the book better if Parts 6 and 7 on marketing had been consolidated into one section and the material on how to put together a Web site saved for another book. I think the chapter on business plans was deficient, and maybe that subject should have either been beefed up a bit or saved for another book.

This book provides someone new to small business with insight, tips, knowledge and expertise to take their desire to start a company to the next level. It's in its third edition and still selling well, so it would be kind of hard to knock this "introductory small business guide." 5 stars!