Go It Alone!: The Secret to Building a Successful Business on Your Own (Paperback)

~ (Author) "A fundamentally new class of entrepreneur is emerging: the go-it-alone entrepreneur..." (more)
Key Phrases: Speed Anywhere, Maui Wowi, Synapse Group (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This engaging, if optimistic, primer insists that you don’t need much capital, or much risk-taking, to start a business. Indeed, according to Yale School of Management professor Judson, author of Netmarketing and himself the founder of several allegedly successful small firms, the time has never been better for startups. With the Internet now offering every business service under the sun through online companies, solo entrepreneurs can—and must—outsource almost every aspect of their business and concentrate on leveraging their "unique skills." Judson lays out a number of useful rules of thumb (chief among them: don’t give up your day job until your business is profitable) illustrated by case studies of successful businesses, from which readers can glean enlightening tips on marketing, fee structures and customer management. Less helpful are his recommendations for figuring out what an entrepreneur’s unique skills actually are, as he relies on fuzzy introspective koans like "Find Your Source of Personal Energy." Interspersed is much motivational material on taking the first step, finding a way around obstacles, following your passion and facing down your fear. The book is not a step-by-step how-to, and its assurance that readers can beat the daunting odds against small business start-up success by avoiding typical mistakes is rather rose-colored, but those determined to take the plunge will find a good deal of easily digestible food for thought.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Using the success of his own two start-up companies as formulas for success, Judson offers sound, cogent advice for budding entrepreneurs. A well-known marketer himself, Judson explains how "going it alone" is different from being a typical small-business owner, the key being that the former is able to garner bigger profits despite a lack of resources, whereas the latter's revenue is tied to her own billed hours. So much potential exists, Judson argues, because in today's economy so many aspects of running a business can be outsourced, leaving the business owner to concentrate exclusively on what she does best. No great idea at the ready? Not to worry, Judson says, as he offers tips for finding a niche in an area where a person might prosper. Rounding out this handy, readable how-to are case studies that examine both successes and failures of go-it-aloners nationwide. An added bonus is a Web site that will feature discussions with the author, other resources, and updated case studies. Highly recommended for general business collections. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060731141
• ISBN-13: 978-0060731144
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #544,530 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best $10 you are likely to spend on a business book, May 13, 2006

By	William Rockwell (Chatsworth, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What this book delivers:

1. It proves you can start a substantial business without a lot of money, employees, specialized knowledge or risk. In fact most of those things would be a hinderance.

2. The principles are guideposts for you to follow. You also learn the biggest non-secret in business which is simply to do what is important.

3. It gives you numerous examples of how people turned the knowledge they had into the business they wanted. It is not hard to see the principles at work.

3. As a side benefit you learn about some business services that are available to you that you probably have not given much thought to such as Logos.



What you do not get in this book:

1. A list of the hottest businesses to start.

2. How to do accounting, marketing plans, or any of the other specialized courses they teach in business schools. Spend your time on what you do well not learning something that someone else can do for you.

3. Detailed handholding complete with checklists. The principles are presented clearly with numerous examples. It is your responsibility to apply them to your own situation.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Work-at-home moms, April 4, 2005

By	Victoria Carrington "Homeschool Parents" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Go It Alone!: The Secret to Building a Successful Business on Your Own (Hardcover)

I loved this book! I recognized the truth that as solo business owners would do well to maximize their efficiency by concentrating on what they do best and outsourcing the rest. I am especially reminded of this as I spend hours trying to fix a website problem (I am a writer and a Mom's life coach, not a web designer!) instead of writing articles or thinking about growing my business.

Reading this book has caused some practical and immediate changes to my home business strategy and I am very grateful to the author for his efforts.

The real-life stories are very inspiring as well.

Get this book today!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Is Going to Make Me Money!, November 20, 2004

By	Robert James (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Go It Alone!: The Secret to Building a Successful Business on Your Own (Hardcover)

This is a terrific guide. I bought the book after I heard Judson on NPR, and it's worth a lot more than I paid for it. The magic in this book is that Judson shows how my hard work can turn into a better living for my family, and an independant lifestyle for me. The book opened my eyes to a whole different way of thinking about opportunities. I checked out the Web sites of some of the people and businesses mentioned in the book and they are the real thing! They look like people just like me, who mastered the ideas in Judson's book and are now living a much happier life. Five stars plus...