Like many business owners, Susan-Urquhart Brown never expected to end up as an entrepreneur. Launching her own business spoke to her passions, but she soon realized there was much more to being a successful owner than she ever expected. In The Accidental Entrepreneur, she takes all the mystery out of going solo. For those who are just beginning to consider starting a venture as well as those who want to take their organization to the next level, she offers advice on what works and what doesn't. With hard-won wisdom and empathy, she shows readers: • the 8 questions everyone should ask up front • the top 10 traits of the successful entrepreneur • how to obtain a license and sellers permit • the best way to create a business plan • 10 simple ways to get referrals • the 6 secrets of marketing a business • smart tips for investing and finance • ways to avoid burnout • how to avoid the 7 biggest pitfalls in business Starting one's own business should be exciting, not scary. This is the one book that will show readers how to create a successful and fulfilling venture they can be proud of.
The Accidental Entrepreneur
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“…a must-read for its simple and encouraging tone, which takes the mystery out of running your own business.” -- Curve magazine
“This is the best $20.00 you'll ever spend on your business. Hit the business section and pick it up now.” -- www.PCB007.com
Book Description
Like many business owners, Susan-Urquhart Brown never expected to end up as an entrepreneur. Launching her own business spoke to her passions, but she soon realized there was much more to being a successful owner than she ever expected. In The Accidental Entrepreneur, she takes all the mystery out of going solo. For those who are just beginning to consider starting a venture as well as those who want to take their organization to the next level, she offers advice on what works and what doesn’t. With hard-won wisdom and empathy, she shows readers:
• the 8 questions everyone should ask up front
• the top 10 traits of the successful entrepreneur
• how to obtain a license and sellers permit
• the best way to create a business plan
• 10 simple ways to get referrals
• the 6 secrets of marketing a business
• smart tips for investing and finance
• ways to avoid burnout
• how to avoid the 7 biggest pitfalls in business
Starting one’s own business should be exciting, not scary. This is the one book that will show readers how to create a successful and fulfilling venture they can be proud of.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 50 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poor planning is one of the most common causes of small business failure. Get this book to help you avoid poor planning!
May 7, 2008
Format:Paperback
I liked this book. It is full of content and it is well-written. It seems to be an updated version of a smiliarly titled book the author wrote back in 2004. See "The Accidental Entrepreneur" with ISBN: 0975977806. The 2008 version has a new chapter added - the 7th in the following list of chapter titles:
1. Introduction
2. What is an entrepreneur, anyway?
3. Ready, set, go!
4. Taking care of business
5. What do you bring to the party?
6. Market and sell your socks off
7. Get connected to the Web for profit
8. Making room for more business
The author is a self-employed business coach and mentor to wanta-be entrepreneurs. Basically she does for pay what I do for free as a SCORE volunteer. Most of what she discusses in her book is what I discuss with my SCORE clients. About the only thing we differ on is the extent to which a person should put effort into preparing a business plan. The author suggests that the entrepreneur should not go overboard on preparing a plan. Whereas I believe great time and effort should be put into dreaming, consolidating, researching, writing, proofing, and editing the 25-35 page written business plan for a startup. Maybe we differ because the author seems to separate a business plan from a marketing plan? And she seems to emphasize in her book how important a marketing plan is to a small business. In fact, she devotes all of Chapter 6 to it. And now that she has added Chapter 7, she has TWO chapters devoted to small business marketing. I, on the other hand, consider marketing plans to be a subset of a business plan.... Read more ›
1. Introduction
2. What is an entrepreneur, anyway?
3. Ready, set, go!
4. Taking care of business
5. What do you bring to the party?
6. Market and sell your socks off
7. Get connected to the Web for profit
8. Making room for more business
The author is a self-employed business coach and mentor to wanta-be entrepreneurs. Basically she does for pay what I do for free as a SCORE volunteer. Most of what she discusses in her book is what I discuss with my SCORE clients. About the only thing we differ on is the extent to which a person should put effort into preparing a business plan. The author suggests that the entrepreneur should not go overboard on preparing a plan. Whereas I believe great time and effort should be put into dreaming, consolidating, researching, writing, proofing, and editing the 25-35 page written business plan for a startup. Maybe we differ because the author seems to separate a business plan from a marketing plan? And she seems to emphasize in her book how important a marketing plan is to a small business. In fact, she devotes all of Chapter 6 to it. And now that she has added Chapter 7, she has TWO chapters devoted to small business marketing. I, on the other hand, consider marketing plans to be a subset of a business plan.... Read more ›
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Modulok
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I hate being that one person who gives a bad review when everyone else seems to
think otherwise, but the book was horrific. I had to stop reading it when I was
confronted by the diagram with a circle labeled, "comfort zone". Some months
later I picked it back up but it didn't improve much.
If you can imagine a book about running a small business, as written by someone
with zero experience running a small business, but was instead some kind of a
hybrid cross between a hippie and a high school guidance counselor - this is
it. (No defamatory remark toward the author intended. I don't know anything
about her. That's just the vibe I got while reading it.)
I bought the book thinking I was getting some insight about the art of making
money and instead all I got was a bunch of obvious and painfully general
advice. Throw in a few motivational fill-in-the-blank worksheets and a lecture
about saving the planet for some reason, and call it a business book.
If you want to map out your comfort zone and fill out a bunch of worksheets
reminiscent of high school, this book is for you. If you want to learn how to
make money - I'd look elsewhere.
think otherwise, but the book was horrific. I had to stop reading it when I was
confronted by the diagram with a circle labeled, "comfort zone". Some months
later I picked it back up but it didn't improve much.
If you can imagine a book about running a small business, as written by someone
with zero experience running a small business, but was instead some kind of a
hybrid cross between a hippie and a high school guidance counselor - this is
it. (No defamatory remark toward the author intended. I don't know anything
about her. That's just the vibe I got while reading it.)
I bought the book thinking I was getting some insight about the art of making
money and instead all I got was a bunch of obvious and painfully general
advice. Throw in a few motivational fill-in-the-blank worksheets and a lecture
about saving the planet for some reason, and call it a business book.
If you want to map out your comfort zone and fill out a bunch of worksheets
reminiscent of high school, this book is for you. If you want to learn how to
make money - I'd look elsewhere.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really like this book and as an entrepreneur cannot stress enough how helpful this book would have been to me when I started my business many years ago
This book is for those of us who woke up one morning and found ourselves owning our own business. Funny as it sounds isn't that what happens? I know that many of you in the rep business for example were sales people with real jobs for many years and then for a number of reasons: company cut backs, a principal who offered to set us up in business if we would agree to represent him or we went to work for a large rep firm and ended up either running it or splitting off to start our own firm. Others of us got an idea that we were passionate enough about to go out on that limb and risk everything to "follow the dream" Whatever the reason we became entrepreneurs...accidentally. So here we are, what do we do now?
We pick up and read Susan Urquhart- Brown's book The Accidental Entrepreneur that's what we do if were smart. This book is filled with as she says 50 things I wish someone had told me about starting a business. Fifty very valuable things I might add. Here are some examples:
* Eight questions to ask before you start a business. This is an excellent chapter on defining yourself, your business and your goals.
* Avoid seven common pitfalls in business. Basically this is:
o Know what you sell before you sell it
o Know what it will take to succeed
o How to use connections and so on.
As well as a number of other chapters presenting a real meat and potatoes approach to starting and running your own business.
What I enjoy are the examples the author uses to make her point and demonstrate how others have succeeded using her experience and direction.... Read more ›
This book is for those of us who woke up one morning and found ourselves owning our own business. Funny as it sounds isn't that what happens? I know that many of you in the rep business for example were sales people with real jobs for many years and then for a number of reasons: company cut backs, a principal who offered to set us up in business if we would agree to represent him or we went to work for a large rep firm and ended up either running it or splitting off to start our own firm. Others of us got an idea that we were passionate enough about to go out on that limb and risk everything to "follow the dream" Whatever the reason we became entrepreneurs...accidentally. So here we are, what do we do now?
We pick up and read Susan Urquhart- Brown's book The Accidental Entrepreneur that's what we do if were smart. This book is filled with as she says 50 things I wish someone had told me about starting a business. Fifty very valuable things I might add. Here are some examples:
* Eight questions to ask before you start a business. This is an excellent chapter on defining yourself, your business and your goals.
* Avoid seven common pitfalls in business. Basically this is:
o Know what you sell before you sell it
o Know what it will take to succeed
o How to use connections and so on.
As well as a number of other chapters presenting a real meat and potatoes approach to starting and running your own business.
What I enjoy are the examples the author uses to make her point and demonstrate how others have succeeded using her experience and direction.... Read more ›
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Accidental Entrepreneur: Well-Worth Reading for Experienced and Prospective Entrepreneurs
November 4, 2010
Format:Paperback
As an entrepreneur for the past decade, I find that I have to do so many different things to keep my business thriving. At times, it can be quite overwhelming to know what to do next. The Accidental Entrepreneur is an excellent guide for navigating the many decisions that I need to make.
This book is also particularly useful for prospective entrepreneurs who are trying to decide what business opportunities to pursue as well as how to turn entrepreneurial dreams into a reality without wasting time and money. Author Susan Urquhart-Brown has a clear writing style that flows nicely. She mixes sensible advice and real-world examples quite adroitly.
The Accidental Entreprenuer is definitely a keeper for my business library!
This book is also particularly useful for prospective entrepreneurs who are trying to decide what business opportunities to pursue as well as how to turn entrepreneurial dreams into a reality without wasting time and money. Author Susan Urquhart-Brown has a clear writing style that flows nicely. She mixes sensible advice and real-world examples quite adroitly.
The Accidental Entreprenuer is definitely a keeper for my business library!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
It's a below average book
The title doesn't seems to be conected with the actual content of the book.
I think this is a more "negative" feeling book in where they tell you tell hard things about... Read more
I think this is a more "negative" feeling book in where they tell you tell hard things about... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mateo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loaded with Great Insight
This book has alot of tidbits for the start up or existing entreprenuer. Whether you've been in business for years, it has information that you can use. I like this book alot. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Donna Theimer
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Accidental Entrepreneur book
I have enjoyed the book and have got some good tips from the book. Will need to re-read to further get more information.
Published 6 months ago by Ernie Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad
It is not a bad book about entrepreneurship. Maybe my bias comes from my high-tech field. There are just too few high-tech elements in the book.
Published 14 months ago by David Tsai
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good book
I'm planning to start a new business soon and I wanted to make sure I was covering all the bases. This book does a good job of giving you some ways to help organize your efforts... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Keith Penewit
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love the title!
No one should ever be an "accidental" entrepreneur - usually disaster will follow. But using this book as a guideline to help you make the decision is a good idea. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Aimee Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just fine!
I got exactly what I expected but it came quicker in the mail. Easy read and a good beginner book for those just starting out.
Published 17 months ago by Leslie E. Neugebauer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Insightful!
This book is invaluable for anyone who is looking to start a small business. Full of wonderful advice that can be used in any field of business.
Published 19 months ago by Katey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Turning your passion into entrepreneurial action
Urquhart-Brown's The Accidental Entrepreneur: The 50 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Starting a Business is not just an invaluable guide for those who are just starting out... Read more
Published on August 15, 2010 by Dr. Christine Maingard
5.0 out of 5 stars
starting a bussiness
if u b starting a bussiness get this book to avoid some mistakes starting a bussiness
Published on April 17, 2010 by Fred Stephen
