Rhonda Abrams
1 Very helpful
This book really does what it promises. I went through each week/chapter writing down what Rhonda told me to. It all flowed together beautifully, and I am now almost ready to put my web site live and ready for sales. I also contacted SCORE and the SBA as per her recommendation, and have the added value of the counsel of hundreds of counselors who can speak specifically into my situation. I don't think there is anything else Rhonda could add to make this book a better choice for the virgin entrepeneur. Four thumbs up-two are from my SBA counselor!
2 An excellent resource that I can stand behind with pride
Six-Week Start-Up is a helpful, in-depth, resourceful book that assists the budding Entrepreneur with their dreams of business ownership. This book provides guidance, insight and focus, while helping the reader create a strong foundation on which to build their new business. How do I know this? Two reasons: I read the book, and I'm proud to say that I work for the publisher, The Planning Shop.
I sincerely believe that Six-Week Start-Up is the tool that so many aspiring Entrepreneurs are in dire need of. This is a book with which I am proud to be associated, and The Planning Shop is a company of which I am honored to be a part. We have one desire, and that is to see Entrepreneurs successfully realize their dreams by planning, starting, and running successful businesses. Six-Week Start-Up provides the structure, support and information that allows new Entrepreneurs to take those first steps towards business ownership, bringing them closer to fulfilling their goals. I'm proud to be a part of the support network on which Entrepreneurs have come to depend--and for good reason. Our books have helped hundreds of thousands of Entrepreneurs write award-winning business plans, get funded, plan, start and grow successful businesses--even decide which kind of business to start! In an economy where jobs are scarce and where downsizing and outsourcing are on everyone's minds, I'm delighted to play a positive part in job creation and the health of the economy in general by getting this book onto the market. Best of luck to all Entrepreneurs--this book will truly help you create a successful business.
3 Practical guide to starting a small business
This book is a fantastic resource for anyone who's ready to take the plunge in to entrepreneurship! Starting a business seems like such a huge undertaking, and it can be so difficult to know where you should begin. Six-Week Start-Up guides you through every single step of starting a business, from designing a logo to having a grand opening sale! All of the steps are practical and very straightforward--it's like having an operations manual with detailed, step-by-step instructions for so many elements of starting and running a business. This book has been instrumental in keeping me motivated and feeling empowered throughout this (sometimes difficult) process.
Many of us know the common sense aspects of going into business for ourselves, things as simple as make sure you talk to a lawyer. Make sure you talk to an accountant. But what, exactly, are we supposed to ask this lawyer, or accoutant, or investor? This book thoroughly addresses exactly these types of things, making it so much easier to start your business correctly from the beginning. You don't have to spend all of your time later back-tracking and fixing the things you did incorrectly to start with.
The bottom line: Six-Week Start-Up gives you everything you need to know and do in order to start your small business quickly, and to avoid costly and time consuming mistakes in the process. It's a great book for new entrepreneurs who are ready to turn their business-owning dreams into reality!
4 Streamlines the startup process
So, can you get a business started in six weeks? I think the answer is yes, but it's going to depend on the type of business you want to start. If you're planning on starting an amusement park or oil refinery, it's going to take longer. But Abrams says in the introduction that this book is for more typical entrepreneurs who are planning to start a small business (retail or service company).
There are certainly plenty of other books on the market about starting a business (I've read many of them, and looked at many more in the bookstore), but what led me to buy this one was the week-by-week approach. Abrams starts each week with a checklist of things to get finished in that week. The first week focuses on business concept-oriented tasks (defining goals for the business, strategic position, etc.) and developing an "identity" (name, logo, etc.).
The later weeks go into things like setting up an accounting system, incorporating, finding office space, doing market research, and hiring employees.
The book has a lot of worksheets you can use to handle issues such as developing a marketing plan or personnel policies. Many of the worksheets are useful, although I wish I hadn't written in the book itself (tip: xerox the worksheets, and write on those! that way you'll have "backups" if you need to start over! Wish I had!).
So, after six weeks will I have my doors open for business? Yes--no question. But since I'm starting a consulting company and setting up a home office, I don't have huge organizational issues to worry about (like building a warehouse or something similar). And I think the premise of this book will work for most people who are starting a similar *small* business. I give it five stars, though, because even if it takes more than six weeks, the information here is solid.
5 Helpful and clear
I was already in the process of starting my business when I found this book, so I didn't really need the first chapter to help me figure out my business concept (though the info on trademarks was helpful). But so far, I'm finding it to be a big help in getting -- and keeping -- me organized. I like the way the book is laid out -- each week I've sort of got my "assignments" -- the author calls them "Accomplishments" -- and then each task is broken down into easily do-able steps. Its a bit like having a start-up business coach. I doubt that any one would use all the worksheets, but I was trying to figure out how to distribut my products, and the checklist in this book helped me figure out how to compare the distributors I was talking to. That one worksheet alone was worth the price of the book and more. Clearly the author has started businesses because the information and advice is just so practical. Like the "Questions to Ask" lists -- all those people who told me I had to see a lawyer or accountant or whatever never told me what I was supposed to talk to them about when I finally made the appointment. This book does. Even if you're already underway in your business, it's worth owning.
