Our Wildest Dreams (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I am not six feet tall..." (more)
Key Phrases: safe corporate job, woman business owner, women business owners, San Francisco, New York, Terrie Williams (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Many of the three million businesses owned or headed by women actually owe their financial health to such apparent disadvantages as their lack of ready money and inability to leverage, asserts entrepreneur Godfrey in this persuasive feminist survey of a little-explored topic. The author identifies a winning combination of "head, heart and hands" common to the hundreds of women of varying ages and ethnic, social and educational backgrounds she interviewed, all of whom have fun heading firms. They range from the founder of an intercoastal trucking business to the African American head of a public relations agency catering to celebrities and Fortune 500 clients. The women focus not on the bottom line, but on long-term vision and balance, inspiring and fully utilizing their associates' special resources--not necessarily gender-related, the author stresses. The very nature of business is changing, Godfrey declares, as women take charge of an increasing number of companies: "Integrating profit and meaning is the new imperative." Full of concrete advice, the book deserves a wide audience among women seeking to start their own businesses as well as men who wish to escape the stratified corporate environment.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

By the year 2000, it is projected that 50 percent of all U.S. businesses will be women-owned. These two timely titles reflect this dramatic trend. The Woman Entrepreneur features profiles of a cross-section of women entrepreneurs. Their stories are mesmerizing, offering sound practical advice as well as inspiration. The 34th profile, that of the authors, successful entrepreneurs themselves, is particularly interesting. The book is rounded out with a brief history and statistical analysis of women entrepreneurs, as well as a resource directory for those interested in starting a business. Our Wildest Dreams focuses on the process of "growing a business," and how that process differs for women. Godfrey, herself a founder of several companies, challenges the traditional ways of doing business and describes the special qualities women bring to business as the new "right stuff." She delineates the barriers women still encounter, such as limited access to capital, and suggests how to overcome or compensate for them. Going even further, Godfrey proposes a national agenda for women, including expanded access to federal contracts. A chapter of real-life stories of successful businesswomen is a highlight, and the book concludes with a section on resources for prospective women entrepreneurs. While both titles are recommended for all business collections, The Woman Entrepreneur is well organized, clearly presented, and polished--a pleasure to read. Our Wildest Dreams goes into greater depth about the unique contributions of women to business. However, the excess verbiage, cliches, and tendency to ramble detract from the message.
- Nancy Myers, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (May 12, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887306330
• ISBN-13: 978-0887306334
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,488,729 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, December 22, 2000

By	Lisa Eaton (Kennebunk, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This book was a life changer for me. My entire paradygm shifted about my own potential to be an entrepreneur after reading this book. It was instrumental in my decision to leave my public school teaching position and start my own business. I found the specific stories of women's successes and struggles encouraging. I had often given up on ideas once problems started to arise, but after reading this book, I adopted the mantra "Every problem has a solution." It has helped me through many a seemingly crisis situation. I have reread it several times. The most valuable piece for me was the perspective that we women can do something that we love, have fun AND make a living. My husband also enjoyed this book, so it's not just for women.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Wildest Dreams has the "new" right stuff, August 18, 2001

By	K. Alongi "Dedicated to fitness" (Hamburg, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I connected with the words of Joline Godfrey. Her evaluation on what women are doing in business, helps all of us see the opportunities to do things differently. The first chapter where she talks about the right stuff struck home - women needing connection with others, seeing people as whole individuals, wanting balance in life, seeing business as a creative outlet, are all principles she dives into - they make sense for those seeking to more than financial goals. There are many bottom lines in life - the women business owners the book reviews get it and are designing business with a bigger picture in mind. Thank you Joline for shifting my thinking - I was already headed in that direction - your book help me get there a little faster.