1. Start with a business plan!

2. Make a chart to remind yourself daily of your business plan

3. Survival factors of new businesses include the owner’s age, higher education, and previous experience in their field, with most business owners between 35 and 64, having 10 to 19 years of work experience prior to self employment

4. To help you choose a business, make a list of your hobbies and interests, and then list all the possible ways you can make money with those hobbies/interests

5. Make sure you are overstaffed and over prepared – your first impression will be a long lasting one

6. Do at least a business plan and get legal council before signing any contracts or leases

7. There will be “impossible-to-deal-with” customers – when they leave you, be glad and let them go

8. Most businesses will not show any profit for at least the first year, and the average time is around three years

9. Don’t be in a hurry

This book is filled with valuable personal insight, experience, and advice. Pick up a copy, read it, highlight it (I did mine!), make notes, and tell your friends. They will want their own copy.

Rating: 5 / 5

The book includes many perspectives from other small business owners. It focuses mainly on brick and mortar businesses rather than professionals such as consultants. Overall a quick, but rewarding read.
Rating: 4 / 5

I normally work only 5-10 days per month, and I tell my wife how fortunate that I am for having a talent that allows me so much freedom. I used to work 5-6 days per week with 2-5 employees, but I was just trading dollars. Your book brought back memories for me, and I am so glad that I don’t have to be a slave to my business. I wish I had this book years ago, so I would not have made so many mistakes.

I will recommend it to my clients who might be thinking of going into business, especially the ones who are going to do what I do. I show people how they can pay off all their investment in the first year, and still make a profit by using the info in Carol’s book.

Rating: 5 / 5