The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting Your Own Business, 5th Edition (Paperback)

~ Edward Paulson (Author) "Aren't you supposed to go into the office today?" asked Judy's husband Mike, nudging her shoulder from his side of the bed..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Added value CD-ROM included!

Newly revised for the ever-changing world of business, this book offers stress-free guidance for anyone who wants to turn a good idea into a good living. This edition also includes a CD-ROM featuring 100 commonly requested forms and documents essential to business start-ups.

--Completely revised and updated 10th anniversary edition of this top-selling title
--CD-ROM included, featuring 100 commonly requested forms and documents and three bonus chapters on related topics

About the Author

Edward Paulson is a successful entrepreneur, business consultant, college professor, and author with more than 25 years’ experience in setting up and running businesses. The author of more than 15 books and numerous articles, he frequently lectures throughout the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 5th edition (January 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592575846
• ISBN-13: 978-1592575848
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,188 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Basic Rules for the Beginner, March 10, 2007

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a quite complete guide to what it takes to start and operate a successful business in the United States. It's broken down into three major parts that cover the three big aspects of being in business.

Part One is on the general concepts of being in business, being your own boss, the money you will need, other kinds of businesses like franchises. You need to be very honest with youself here. There are some people who just are not suited for self employment. Then there the rest of who are just not suited to work for someone else.

Part Two has two areas I recommend you read and then don't exactly do what he says.

First, he starts off with how to write a business plan. I realize that people say they don't need one, but I recommend you write one anyway. It forces you to think about aspects of your business that you might otherwise ignore, and it's better to think of them before they become problems. On the other hand, I wouldn't follow his advice on how to write the plan. Go buy one of the business plan writing software packages. They are cheap ($30 or so on eBay) will guide you through the writing process and have a bunch of pre-written plans to use as examples. I've used a couple of different packages, they were both about the same, get the one that looks best to you.

Also in Part Two is a discussion on accounting. Read what he says, but then go buy a small computer accounting system. Setting up your own system is a pain, and if you start with a computer based system, you'll not have to convert later. Indeed, the first entries you make in the system can be the purchase of the software packages, and writing off of your computer system.

Part Three kind of goes back to the general concepts of part one. Chapters include comments on things like cash, banks, credit cards, etc.

All in all, a good introductory book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good basic info, July 15, 2008

By	Adrienne (Appleton, WI) - See all my reviews

The book provides good basic information, but anyone starting a business would definitely need more detail. The content would probably provide an overview that would bring to your attention what you need to do further research on. It was too basic/broad for my purposes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Found This Book at My Local Library, November 16, 2009

By	P. McCoy "Friend of Bill W. and Dr. Bob" (Greenbelt, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been exploring the possibility of starting my own business and found this book at my local library. The information is very helpful but the only drawback to borrowing this book from the library was that the person who had the book before me KEPT the CD-ROM!

I plan on getting a copy for my own so that I can refer to it AND be able to use the CD-ROM when I need to!