This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

“This book dispels the myths surrounding the process of starting a business, and gives hope and encouragement
to people who would like to give it a try.”

–Tim Berry, Founder and CEO, Palo Alto Software
Creators of the World’s Most Popular

“Bruce Barringer and Duane Ireland’s new book, What’s Stopping You? is an insightful and thought-provoking examination of nine common myths that discourage individuals from starting new businesses. … This book is much-needed and long overdue…. The value of What’s Stopping You? is that it effectively debunks the false premises that too often preclude acts of business start up. What’s Stopping You? is an encouraging, instructive, and eloquently written book that would be a valuable addition to any aspiring entrepreneur’s bookshelf.”

Jeffrey G. Covin, Samuel and Pauline Glaubinger Professor of Entrepreneurship, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

“Over the years I have observed many seemingly great business opportunities never get off the ground. Quite often, what holds these aspiring entrepreneurs back are common misconceptions about the difficulties and risks of starting a new business. In What’s Stopping You?, Professors Barringer and Ireland systematically break down the myths that hold many entrepreneurs back from pursuing their dreams.”

Jeffrey R. Cornwall, The Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee

“Barringer and Ireland simultaneously demystify start-up misconceptions and empower readers to explore their own opportunity with renewed passion. Many prospective entrepreneurs feel trapped by myths, the authors carefully detail the myth’s fallacies and encourage the reader to see beyond start-up stereotypes. Future and experienced entrepreneurs have much to learn from What’s Stopping You?”

Sarah Schupp, Founder/CEO, University Parent Media, Boulder, Colorado

“Creating your own business from scratch can be a mental, emotional, and financial roller coaster ride. Bruce Barringer and Duane Ireland’s book provides a ‘voice of reason’ and helps give you the confidence to realize you can do it. They recognize that starting a business is hard work, but that it is attainable–and that you should celebrate your accomplishments every step of the way.”

Jan Stephenson Kelly, Cofounder/CEO, Spark Craft Studios, Cambridge, MA

Business Plan Software Follow Your Dream! Start Your Own Winning Business—Now!

•Get past the myths that keep you from making the leap

•Gain the practical skills and confidence you need to succeed

•Quickly evaluate business ideas and pick a winner

•Launch your company and watch it grow and profit

Build the business you’ve always dreamed of! Take control of your future and achieve the breakthrough success that’s only possible when you’re working for yourself. You can do it–and this book will show you how.

Forget the myths that have been standing in your way. You don’t need to be rich. You don’t need extensive business experience. You don’t need to be a genius. You don’t need a revolutionary product or service. You can handle the risk, the competition, and the challenges.

The proof’s on every page of this book: case studies of “ordinary” people building great businesses and practical techniques you can use, too–every step of the way!

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 3 Ratings

Are you toying with the idea to start your own small business? If so, then this is a good book to help convince you to do it! - 2008-06-07
Reviewer Rating:

I liked this book a lot. Its target audience is anyone who is currently earning a salary working for someone other than themselves or a company they own, but who are considering whether entrepreneurship is something for them. It is fairly well written and organized. Chapter 1 provides a nice introduction to the book and Chapter 2 is the meat of the book. The remaining seven chapters flow directly from what is covered in Chapter 2.

This book is not a how-to book. It is a book for wanta-be entrepreneurs who think it is risky to start their own business and cannot find the motivation to transition from their W-2 setup to one of self-employment. The authors explain in chapters 2-9 that there are 8 myths about making the transition to self-employment that simply are not true. Take a look at the Search Inside material the authors have provided Amazon. You will find the titles to the chapters. They succinctly layout what the book is about.

I like to view the book as one that explains that starting a small business is not particularly risky. Sure, any unknown has a certain amount of risk involved with it. But starting a business doesn't have to be like visiting Atlantic City and shooting craps at one of the gambling tables. With the proper research, skills, and planning, anyone can start a small business and be successful.

You might be saying now: What about the money needed to start a small business? Well, every business costs some money to start. Some cost more than others. And some don't cost much at all to start. The book points this out in Chapter 3. My favorite chapters in this book were chapters 1-5 and 8. I wish the authors had more fully developed them and left out chapters 6, 7 and 9, since those chapters did not do much for me.

I would have liked the book better if it had three other chapters included regarding myths as follows:

6. You have to be good at sales if you plan to be successful as an entrepreneur.
7. You have to be a people person if you plan to be successful as an entrepreneur.
9. You have to be good with numbers if you plan to be able to run your own business.

The message in this book is that if you get advice from experts and informed people you will be headed in the right direction to start a small business. If you gather information about an opportunity to start a small business, then you will be well on your way to starting a small business. And if you take all the advice and research and prepare a sound WRITTEN business plan, then you will probably be successful in starting and running your small business.

I found chapters 7-9 to be less-than. Chapter 7 could have included more advice on marketing techniques. And Chapter 8 could have talked a lot more about Internet marketing techniques. Chapter 9 would have been better if business plans had been tied into the discussion and strategic planning had been explained.

In sum, if you are toying with the idea to get out of the rat-race and start your own small business, then this is a good book to help convince you to do what it takes to make the jump. 4 stars!

information-packed and no nonsense - 2008-08-28
Reviewer Rating:
Given all the personal, social and economic advantages that small businesses offer, why don't more people start them?

Unlike some books of this type, authors Barringer and Ireland aim to be realistic rather than inspirational. They don't proclaim that "everyone" has the aptitude or qualities needed to run a business. But they do argue that far more people could be successful entrepreneurs than actually take the plunge. Along with practical advice, *What's Stopping You?* addresses topics such as motives for starting a business and "determining what you want out of life." In calm, logical style, the authors explain why passion is so important, how major decisions can be triggered and why we fear taking risks.

But for the most part, *What's Stopping You?* is a practical, level-headed guide that is packed with useful resources, especially online websites and directories. Each chapter presents topics that could fill whole books on their own, such as getting financing, utilizing the Internet, promotion ("getting noticed") and strategizing how to compete in the marketplace. But *What's Stopping You?* provides scores of websites, books and other sources of information for exploring each topic in greater depth.

This is an excellent book for people who think rationally and mistrust the more colorful pitches so common to the "motivational" genre. The authors are passionate about entrepreneurship, and *What's Stopping You?* presents their expertise in a highly accessible form. If you're wondering just what the "nine myths" are, buy this book. It's worth the price!

Wishful babbling by 2 Ph. D's - 2009-01-07
Reviewer Rating:
Somehow in the euphoric babble, some major facts are omitted.
How about the fact that about three quarters of businesses fails in the first two years.
Second, anyone who starts his own business is going to work about 80 hour weeks.
Third, in an economic downturn (and usually the motivation to get people to start their own businesses), ESTABLISHED business failures are at an all time high.
A book written by 2 Ph. D.s for people with a child's business acumen. Maybe we should classify it as a fairy tale?

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