Start Your Own Business

Not every chapter will be worthwhile (I pretty much skipped the chapter on how to select office equipment) but most chapters are worth a quick look, and many were worth in depth review. Of all the "basic overview" type books about starting and running a small business that I've plunked down money for, this one is the best, HANDS DOWN!


Very, very helpful   April 12, 2002
D. Caban (San Juan, PR)
27 out of 28 found this review helpful

This book is really packed with a lot of information and resources for the entrepreneur-to-be. Covers all aspects to be concidered when starting a new business, be it a home-based, a franchise, buying an already established business, etc. and even advises on which legal structure is more adecuate for your type of business. Has a lot of links to the web which can offer tremendous help on this matter. Buy, have it borrowed, do whatever, but read it. You wont regret it.


Great starter book   May 1, 2005
Shane A. Brewer (Canada)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

"Start Your Own Business" is a great book for the first time business owner, or anyone who is thinking about owning a business. The book covers a wide range of topics from idea conception, to choosing a business structure, obtaining financing, performing market research, buying equipment, basic accounting, etc. This book covers almost every topic related to starting a business.

That being said, the book doesn't go into great detail on most of the topics, it merely introduces each aspect and explains the most important parts. However this book is quite incomplete without additional information.

Regardless this book has some great information in an easy to read format. The book includes some great web sites that give more information on particular topics but I wish that the author would have included more book recommendations.

If you are thinking about owning your own business, this book is for you. But if you already own a business, this may be too elementary for you. But if not, I highly recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.


Great book for someone thinking about starting a small business. Easy to read format and easy to comprehend.   September 15, 2006
Jeff Lippincott (Princeton, NJ USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

There is a lot to starting a business. Some people KNOW what business they want to get involved with and start. While others are clueless. The clueless bunch are the ones who should consider reading this book. It covers quite a few topics that an entrepreneur must consider when starting a business. But it does not go overboard going into too much detail on any of the topics.

The book covers the following issues:

1. Do you have a business concept? Are you qualified to start a business (do you have what it takes)?
2. Researching your business concept and writing a business plan
3. Financing your business: family, friends, banks, angels, VC firms
4. Getting started in business after you have a sound business plan written
5. Marketing, promoting, publicity, advertising, customer service, and the Internet
6. Bookkeeping and taxes

I thought the book was well-written and fairly well organized. It is divided into eight parts. I would have liked it better if Parts 4 and 5 had been consolidated into one section called "Getting Started." I also would have liked the book better if Parts 6 and 7 on marketing had been consolidated into one section and the material on how to put together a Web site saved for another book. I think the chapter on business plans was deficient, and maybe that subject should have either been beefed up a bit or saved for another book.

This book provides someone new to small business with insight, tips, knowledge and expertise to take their desire to start a company to the next level. It's in its third edition and still selling well, so it would be kind of hard to knock this "introductory small business guide." 5 stars!