The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Steve Mariotti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1996

Through stories of young entrepreneurs who have started businesses, this book illustrates how to turn hobbies, skills, and interests into profit-making ventures. Mariotti describes the characteristics of the successful entrepreneur and covers the nuts and bolts of getting a business up, running and successful.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Steve Mariotti, a former New York City high-school teacher, founded the nonprofit National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship after he discovered that students who launched commercial ventures tended to eventually blossom in numerous areas. In this updated edition of The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business, he lays out the critically relevant basics on everything from recognizing opportunities and researching markets to handling finances and protecting ideas--all organized and written specifically for the younger reader. Brief case studies and inspiring tales of notables who started young, including Russell Simmons of Def Jam, Tom Monaghan of Domino's Pizza, and Steve Perlman of WebTV, offer encouragement. New chapters on technology (explaining, for instance, ways that computers and the Net provide competitive advantages) and philanthropy ("ethical business behavior is not only morally right, it's good for business") bring Mariotti's advice into the 21st century. No single volume can provide all the details necessary to get an idea up and running, but this one contains enough information and stimulation to move practically anyone off the couch and into the beginning stages of entrepreneurship. --Howard Rothman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

Becoming an entrepreneur offers individuals the potential for financial success and independence. Two new guides explore effective strategies for starting and operating a small business. Mariotti, who founded the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and provides entrepreneurial training for inner-city youth, has written his book "for any young person who wants to start a business no matter what his or her ethnic background may be." Mariotti discusses the characteristics of the entrepreneur, selecting the business, financing, maintaining financial records, market research, advertising, and writing a business plan. Throughout, he provides numerous case studies of success stories. Moreover, Mariotti's own story of how he began to teach entrepreneurship makes fascinating reading. The lists of resources and sample forms are especially helpful. Although the work is written for young adults, readers in other age groups should benefit from it. Sullivan, the head of a consulting firm for entrepreneurs and small business owners, offers practical advice for starting a small business. He describes selecting a business, partnerships, financing, marketing, insurance, hiring employees, and using new technologies. He presents lists of sources, including information available on the Internet, and writes clearly and concisely, offering new entrepreneurs a starting point to owning and operating a business. Like Mariotti, he offers new perspectives on entrepreneurship. Mariotti's book is highly recommended for secondary school, college, and public libraries. Sullivan's book is most appropriate for public libraries.
Lucy T. Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Crown Business; 1st edition (January 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812926277
• ISBN-13: 978-0812926279
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,645,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Mariotti is an American entrepreneur and author. He is the founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). He founded NFTE in 1987 after his work as a special education teacher in some of the toughest schools in the New York City school system showed him that student interest in learning could be increased through the lens of entrepreneurship. Since its launch, Mariotti has led NFTE to reach more than 350,000 young people through programs in 21 states and 10 countries.

Mariotti, a native of Flint, Michigan, is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has also studied at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Brooklyn College.

Mariotti's work has been documented on national TV, including ABC Evening News and 20/20. He has co-authored more than 30 books on entrepreneurship that have sold over a million copies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the book for me., August 28, 2000

By 

C. Latimer (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business (Completely Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

I am a 22 year old entrepreneur and I mistakely thought this qualified me as young. This book does have some relatively good insights on basic business priciples. The problem is that you have to wade through endless stories of other entrepreneurs, which often leave you wondering about their relevance. The stories are often about high school kids who make $30/week selling sunglasses or renting video games. I think this book would be perfect for a young person from the ages of 12 - 18 who wants to get a taste of running their own business and learn the fundamentals of economics. What I was looking for was a book that was aimed for someone serious about making their business their life. I think this book is either a 5 star or a 1 star. If you are absolutely clueless about economics and business and need to be motivated you will find this book very good. If you already have the motivation and possess a natural business acumen then stop reading this review, because this isn't the book for you, either.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Business concepts written succinctly and enthusiastically., December 4, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (New York City, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business (Paperback)

Steve Mariotti teaches the core concepts of business in a succinct and entertaining way. Each chapter, beginning with an inspirational and cool quote,defines and explains an important business fundamental. His book is interactive, with Q &A and a sample and blank business plan so that you can do the work right in the book!

I highly recommned it to anyone - age 12 to age 90.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Inexperienced than Young, September 3, 2000

By 

John D. Wheeler (Edinboro, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business (Completely Revised and Updated) (Paperback)

I still haven't taken the plunge in starting my own business, but I've been doing a lot of reading about doing so. When I picked this up from the library, I expected to take one evening to zip through it. However, it seems to cover the basics of running a business very well. If you have already started your own business, you've probably already dealt with most of the issues presented here. If you're new to the business world (young or old), this book deserves serious consideration.