Product Description

Entrepreneur's Notebook propels you on a whirlwind tour of the start-up process. It is an invaluable reference for new and experienced entrepreneurs that includes chapters on a wide range of topics, from entrepreneurial team building to business plans to financing. This excellent book provides an incredible amount of practical information that will help you make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes. The author, Steven K. Gold, is an accomplished entrepreneur who has co-founded and led five early-stage ventures. As an investor and mentor, he also advises many entrepreneurs and young companies. He earned his B.S.E. in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and his M.D. from Brown University Medical School.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4638 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 232 pages

From the Author
Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture is written for entrepreneurs and anyone who dreams of becoming an entrepreneur - and who wants real-life advice and practical information. This book will take you on a whirlwind tour of the start-up process and help you to build a solid foundation for your new venture, whether it is a small business, or a venture capital funded enterprise. Irrespective of the size or type of business, the underlying principles are the same.

As an entrepreneur for most of my life, it's impossible to imagine a career more challenging or gratifying. Being an entrepreneur is one of life’s great adventures. It allows you to take control of your destiny, continuously learn and grow, and experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with transforming an idea into something of value. Whether you seek to build a large corporation, or create a modest business that will enable you to live the life you choose, this book will guide you through the key steps in the start-up process, helping you to make smart decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Becoming an entrepreneur is achievable for everyone, but there are rules to the game - principles that are time-tested and likely to lead you to success. This book focuses on the information that you need to know to get started. Chapters 1-3 introduce three critical concepts that relate to every new venture: people, products, and making progress. Chapters 4-5 discuss the entrepreneurial team. In chapters 6-7, a review of the business plan is followed by a discussion of cash flow, a concept that is appreciated by every successful entrepreneur. Finally, chapters 8-10 delve into the practicalities of starting a new company, securing investment, and managing a team of people.

I should note two things about this book. First, it is about concepts, and is not a technical manual. There are many great resources that teach accounting, finance, marketing, management, and more. The real spotlight is on the Big Picture. Second, it focuses on getting your new business off the ground. While the ideas presented are valid and remain important throughout the life of a business, new challenges arise as a business becomes successful, grows, and eventually matures. The later stages rely on a solid foundation and success in the early stages; however a discussion about the development and management of a mature business is beyond the scope of this book.

Starting a company is, without question, both a personal and professional quest. This book is intended to help you to succeed by providing you with advice that is practical and proven, learned the hard way through almost three decades of real-life experience, and backed by the lessons of one of the best business schools in the country. Another reason why this book (and others) will contribute to your success is because sooner is always better than later. You want this information now, before you take action, and an investment of time and dollars in knowledge is small in comparison to the benefits you will receive by making smarter decisions and avoiding the common mistakes. I hope that the following pages inform and inspire you, and help you to realize your entrepreneurial dreams.

-Steven K. Gold

From the Back Cover
"This book is Step One in the entrepreneurial process."
Nancy Tunick, President
Grassroots Promotion

"Smart entrepreneurs invest in knowledge; Gold provides it."
George Stevens, CEO
Biomimetics Corporation

"Information-packed, easy to read, extremely valuable."
Andy Roth, Chairman
Roth Talent Associates

About the Author
Steven K. Gold is an entrepreneur who has co-founded and led five early-stage ventures. As an investor and mentor, he also advises many entrepreneurs and young companies. He earned his B.S.E. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and his M.D. from Brown University Medical School. The author is based in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

A must read for any budding entrepreneur!
As an engineer that wants to work my idea into a successful business, I need all the help I can get in non-technical areas. This book was the first I read to try and get a better understanding of the business world. It did not disappoint! Steven does an excellent job of getting his knowledge across to people in a manner easy to understand and follow. My venture is still in the development stages but I am going to utilize the knowledge I gained from this book to project my idea upwards!

Terrific Launching Pad
Every budding entrepreneur should know and implement strategies and concepts found in this book. As a second opinion on the same brand of practical advice found in my own book, "The Expert's Edge," this book offers a terrific launching pad. Get it, read it, study it... do it!

Very good book for a beginer
Very nice book for the first timer.
Explains in detail about the ABCs of starting a new business.

It was very helpful and enlightening about how to start a business.
A must read for anybody who wants to know what is needed to start a successful business.

It talks more about starting a startup company rather than starting a small business like a store.