The Ugly Truth about Small Business [Paperback]

Ruth King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 4, 2005

Being an entrepreneur is scary. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than 50 percent of small businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within the first five years. And often, the future of the business can ride on one crucial decision.

The Ugly Truth about Small Business is a collection of stories and lessons from 50 entrepreneurs who faced crises in their businesses. A unique business inspiration book, The Ugly Truth about Small Business tackles head-on the problems entrepreneurs face:

--We didn't know if anyone would show up

--My customer wouldn't pay us

--I lost 25 percent of my business in one day

--Do what you believe despite the odds

Each story ends with the lessons that each entrepreneur took from their experience, and how to apply that to any business. A great self-purchase or gift that tomorrow's leaders need as they start up today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ruth King is a seasoned entrepreneur who has owned seven businesses in the past 25 years. She is an owner/partner of ProNetworkTV, which operates the Internet television station businesstvchannel.com. King speaks at national and local association meetings and trade shows. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc (December 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402205147
• ISBN-13: 978-1402205149
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,349,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pessimistic and Boring, November 13, 2007

By 

S. Atman (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ugly Truth about Small Business (Paperback)

Although my "day job" is as a drama teacher, I've run my own business, on the side, since 1975. And I've always had success. Yes, it's tough. Yes, you have to work hard. Yes, there will be obstacles. That's life. I've had more problems on campus, however, than I have running my own business.

Ruth King wants to show us the ugly side of running a business. It's expensive (but it doesn't have to be). It's depressing (but only if you give up each time you hit a roadblock). It's not for everyone (but if it weren't for you, why would you be reading this?).

There is a myriad of great books on starting your own business -- all aspects, from finding seed money to getting free promotion to expanding to keeping your spirits up to bookkeeping to tax issues.

Avoid this book. Get inspired instead of depressed.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, March 17, 2007

By 

Artist (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ugly Truth about Small Business (Paperback)

I like the idea and the stories of business challenges. I was hoping for more solutions.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for anyone looking to start or buy a business., August 21, 2006

By 

Joe Pennant (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ugly Truth about Small Business (Paperback)

After many years of thinking and researching starting a business as an ongoing enterprise (instead of merely earning income as a self-employed consultant) i am putting everything together.

It is a scary proposition.

In my research, i got a lot of advice from people and books. In particular, they stress the need to write business plans and other steps. However, in all of it - no one would spell out exactly WHY business plans need to be written.

In The Ugly Truth, the reasons why are spelled out forcefully. This is a sobering look into entrepreneurship and being a small business owner, and yet it is an UPLIFTING confirmation for those of us who have decided to take this road.

It spells out the WHY'S very eloquently.

Years ago, i told my sister, who owns several day care centers, that i intended to go into business for myself. Her considered advice was:

"Do it. You will cry yourself to sleep for a few years, but you will be glad you did it."

That's exactly what this book says.

It just explains why and what you need to do, through the hard earned lessons of others. If nothing else, it helps to learn through the experiences and mistakes of others.

This book should be required reading for any college course on being in business.