The Street-Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Way [Paperback]

Jay Goltz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

Small firms in Chicago employ more than 1.6 million individuals—nearly 50 percent of the private work force, according to a new study released this fall by the Small Business Administration. The survey, which defines small firms as those employing less than 500 people, also shows that these businesses generate 47 percent of the area's total receipts of $278 billion dollars. However, SBA statistics also reveal that, on average, of the small businesses starting today, 53 percent will not be in business four years from now. Of these closings, it's estimated that 15 percent will close due to business failures. Chicago businessman Jay Goltz understands what it takes for a small business to succeed. During the past twenty years he has owned and operated Artists' Frame Service in Chicago. Goltz started the business in 1978, and today it's the largest, custom retail picture framing facility in the world. Now, Goltz shares some his secrets of success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This highly recommended book is full of sage insights for entrepreneurs and managers. Covering a range of topics which include tips on interviewing prospective employees, marketing and finance, successful entrepreneur Jay Goltz is insightful in his advice. With a table of contents and index, the book is constructed in an anecdotal fashion. Goltz waxes philosophical about a variety of subjects in a common format; he shares "What I Used To Think" and then "What Nobody Told Me" before summarizing his experience in a lesson - hence, the subtitle of the book. He is brutally honest. For example, in Lesson #38 he tells the entrepreneur that "You could be the worst person to do the hiring at your company." In Lesson #37 he shares his successful hiring experience in using the BATH test to make a good hiring decision. Lesson #15 is a product of Goltz's belief that "the boss at a great company had to be demanding, uncompromising, and intolerant." I found Goltz's Lesson #7 insightful when he concludes that "Two out of three ain't bad when you're talking about price, quality, and service." His Lesson #67 about giving year-end bonuses is instructive. There are many people with whom I'd like to share the insights in this book, but they'll have to buy a copy. I'm not giving mine away. -- From Independent Publisher

About the Author

Jay Goltz founded Artists’ Frame Service. Today, the business is the largest retail, custom picture framing facility in the nation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Addicus Books (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188603933X
• ISBN-13: 978-1886039339
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Navigate to Success with The Street-Smart Entrepreneur, May 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Street-Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Way (Paperback)

People often ask me what it's like to operate my home-based business, now in its fourth year, going strong.

I honestly tell them it's like sailing into uncharted waters, offering both the excitement and the fear of the unknown. There are no safety nets. Over time I have learned to trust my internal compass--my intuition--to make tough decisions. Still, like anyone else, I harbor doubts. Have I charted the best course? How reassuring it would be to have a navigator at my side, someone who could steer me in the right direction through rough seas time and again.

Jay Goltz's "Street-Smart Entrepreneur" fulfills this role for me. This is no ordinary guide to better business. No stuffy language. No abstractions. Just straightforward common sense.

Jay's book is creatively organized into 133 one-page "lessons" that cover everything from intelligent marketing to smart hiring, cash flow, business growth, and customer service. Jay shows how he learned each lesson the hard way, offering real examples from his successful picture-framing business. Believe me, you won't learn these lessons in any school or textbook!

I keep my copy of "The Street-Smart Entrepreneur" on my desktop. It comes in handy when I need a dose of sound advice to shore up my gut instincts. Pick up a copy of "The Street-Smart Entrepreneur" before you plot your course. You'll be glad you did!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Unique Read, July 16, 2005

By 

Stephanie Chandler "Author/Speaker: LEAP! 101... (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Street-Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Way (Paperback)

This book stands out in a crowded field of business books. Each topic is listed at the top of a new page, making the book easy to read and reference. From the importance of customer service and finding quality vendors, to dealing with employees and the government, Golz provides real-world advice that is valuable for any new entrepreneur.

I read a lot of business books and many get recycled, but this one is a keeper. It's the kind of book you want to share with an entrepreneurial friend--a great read for anyone entering into entrepreneurship.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Jay, January 2, 2007

By 

The Happy Artist (Northern New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Street-Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Way (Paperback)

Look; the US economy is all about small business. 90% of what we read is written by accountants or academics, (and I count people who write and/or advise other people based on research - instead of 'doing' - as academics also.)

Once in a while you get real street smarts. This book is one. here's your chance to spend a few bucks, read for a few hours, and learn a few things that will save you grief and aggravation if you are running a business. What else could you possibly want from a business book?