This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

“Hess and Goetz present a roadmap for how to avoid the things that can cause you to stumble and how to build a business the right way.”

–JEFF ZEIGLER, CEO, TechTurn.com, Austin, TX

“When I started my graphic design business, I knew I had enough talent to impress and keep my clients, but I struggled with the day to day running of the business. So, You Want To Start A Business? is the blueprint I needed to get organized and put all the right things in place.”

–KORY BAILEY, Owner, Creative Counterpart

Build the Successful Company You’ve Always Wanted to Own!

• Avoid the 8 disastrous operational mistakes that kill new businesses

• Walk step-by-step through the entire process of building a winning business

• Master 55 amazingly simple rules of business success

• For every entrepreneur and potential entrepreneur...no previous business experience necessary!

• Launch the winning business you’ve always wanted…or make more money in the business you’ve already started!

More than 5,000,000 new businesses are started each year…but 70% of them will fail. Now, two renowned experts on entrepreneurship identify the 8 “killer mistakes” that cause most business failures–and give you the knowledge, tools, and hands-on advice to avoid them, so you can build a business that thrives.

Unlike other books on entrepreneurship, this book focuses on the crucial operational issues associated with consistent profitability. You’ll learn how to identify the right opportunities and customers; design winning products and services; set the right prices; overcome customer inertia; avoid common day-to-day management mistakes; find and keep good employees; and finally, smoothly manage growth.

Throughout, the authors draw on real life entrepreneurial experiences, case studies, and leading-edge research. There’s nothing theoretical here: This is fast-paced, 100% practical advice you can use to make your business dreams and goals come true–starting right now.

What really makes a successful entrepreneur?

What they do, how they act...and how to find your best path to business success

Get the 3 “Ws” right from the start

What will you sell, who will buy it–and why will they buy it?

55 simple, indispensable rules for success

What you must know about customers, competitors, and your employees

The art and science of managing people, operations, and growth

Create processes, set priorities, maximize quality, measure people–and improve every day

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 6 Ratings

A "must read" for anyone thinking about starting a business... - 2008-11-08
Reviewer Rating:
If you are thinking about starting your first business, you are already counting the money you will make. Do yourself a favor and read this book before you make the leap. It will save you a lot of heartburn and after you have started.

Being a large business owner and the owner of a new startup company, I can tell you from personal first-hand experience every word in this book should be taken to heart. Be brave and go for it, but know the pitfalls that most people fall into after they have started their business.

One example from the book is that people who are ready to start their own business are counting the money they are already going to make. I have been there and done that. It was nice to see a book that will ground you so you don't make the mistake of succumbing to the negatives that outlook can have.

Read the book! Be successful! Make lots of money and do it wisely!

Many helpful information - 2009-05-26
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a good start point when you think about to open a own business.

Hess and Goetz Keep it Simple, Powerful - 2009-04-16
Reviewer Rating:
In this timely and important entrepreneurship primer, Ed Hess and Charles Goetz "walk the talk" by delivering simple, sound, common-sense advice and counsel for aspiring business owners. Don't expect fancy charts, esoteric consultant-speak or silver-bullet algorithms here -- instead you'll get plenty of straight-talk and smart, practical and applicable advice from two successful entrepreneurs who've been there and back and now want to share their insights and passion. After reading "So You Want To Start a Business?" I was tempted to buy a few hundred copies and send to Washington to help with the bailout turnarounds. A great book and a powerful tool for what will certainly be a surge in American entrepreneurial spirit in the coming years. Well done.

Steve Soltis, Director of Executive Communications, The Coca-Cola Company

Good Book - 2009-01-18
Reviewer Rating:
Have not finished yet but so far it is better than many business books I've read. Would recommend.

One of my reasons to choose Darden for pursuing my MBA - 2008-10-26
Reviewer Rating:
An adequately researched and cleverly articulated book to help anyone devise a sustainable business plan. A must read for every startup wannabes. Having a vague venture idea, I am using the book as a yardstick of reality to write my B-plan.

I am also looking forward to learn from Hess in person , if admitted to Darden's program.

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