Start Your Own Business, Fifth Edition - The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need

I was originally skeptical when I received an early copy of Start Your Own Business. Part of my skepticism was the "ONLY startup book you'll ever need" banner on the front cover.

However, after living with Start Your Own Business for several months, and finding myself not only referring back to it, but also recommending it to family members and friends, I now realize the banner isn't a claim, but is a credible statement. The amount of detail inside, along with dozens of worksheets, makes this an ideal handbook to be kept within reach at all times.

The book's length, 700+ pages, also was an initial concern. Who has time to read 700+ pages? But, that's not a valid concern, for the same reason that the Physicians Desk Reference doesn't have to be "read" as much as "referred to" as needed. The detailed table of contents, which organizes chapters into 8 main sections, makes it easy to locate the information you desire.

Start Your Own Business is a great resource that brings everything together in one place for both startups and serial entrepreneurs.

This is not the type of book you want to read cover to cover. It is
more like a reference book that covers all aspects of starting a business from getting an idea
to planning, to funding, to actually running it. So you could jump to the section that
is relevant to your situation.

I also liked the resource list at the end, as well as the other check lists, sample forms, and
work sheets.