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 Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.)
Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one.
If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur.
An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough!
This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!!
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Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.)
Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one.
If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur.
An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough!
This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!!
Really interesting, 20 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead.
superficial, 30 Aug 2008
I think another reviewer here said that this looked like a cut and paste job. That pretty much sums it up. Appears to be little or no original research. The analysis of the secret of their success, whether in the approach they took, their innate character or their ideas seems very superficial.
Clearly some of the individuals profiled had no time for the author or just had absolutely nothing insightful to say. A real pity, because it would have been great to have found inspiration, hope and ideas from great entrepreneurs.
Plenty of good ideas , 01 May 2008
How they started How 30 good ideas became great businesses BY David Lester
I devour business books but this one looks like a cut an paste job. It is trying to appeal to a large audience but it is set out like a reference book.
A good business book should mix facts with anecdotes and personal stories. It claims that their criteria for choosing was they were started by individuals, they are successful and they are a household name. Perhaps I hadn't been paying attention but they were a few I had not heard of . Out of 30 there were nineteen I had really heard of.
The good ones have been well covered elsewhere such as Dyson, Friends Reunited and Moneysupermarket .com.
People who think about starting businesses but ever get round to it cite two reasons ! I need a good idea 2 someone will steal my good idea. Perhaps there are no new ideas just variations on a theme. Even modern phenomena like Bebo never claimed to be the first just one of the more successful. Very rarely if ever does someone come up with a world beating new idea. even Dyson was just developing a better vacuum cleaner.
Another reviewer has commented on the section on what we can learn from these businesses as a group? that is 1 The X Factor 2 Minimal personal reward financially 4 Do what it says on the tin 5 Keep it simple 6 Work hard than you might think possible 7 Kept trying and believing 8 Who needs money? 8 Ambition 9 So what?
Can I make a plea for business book writers and journalist to stop telling us that X ! Quit the rat race" to start his own business. It is rubbish and boring.
Maybe a book for people who do not read the business pages but there are better books out there on ideas and how to start your own business. Business appears to have become the new Rock and Roll but on The Apprentice we see it is a lot harder than you think. Perfectly bright intelligent hard working people do not seem to be able to get it right.
They are uplifting stories but like the apprentices you should try just a basic business to start with to see if you have the staying power. The vast majority of the population will not make it in business because they are not hard working enough, do not have enough ambition and have an inability to work consistently every day.
A reasonable enough book but it did not inspire me to read it from cover to cover. I dipped into the ones that I liked.
Anyone can do it ....., 18 Feb 2008
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort.
Feeling of inspiration, 19 Jun 2007
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline.
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Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.) Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one. If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur. An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough! This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!! Really interesting, 20 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead. superficial, 30 Aug 2008
I think another reviewer here said that this looked like a cut and paste job. That pretty much sums it up. Appears to be little or no original research. The analysis of the secret of their success, whether in the approach they took, their innate character or their ideas seems very superficial.
Clearly some of the individuals profiled had no time for the author or just had absolutely nothing insightful to say. A real pity, because it would have been great to have found inspiration, hope and ideas from great entrepreneurs. Plenty of good ideas , 01 May 2008
How they started How 30 good ideas became great businesses BY David Lester
I devour business books but this one looks like a cut an paste job. It is trying to appeal to a large audience but it is set out like a reference book.
A good business book should mix facts with anecdotes and personal stories. It claims that their criteria for choosing was they were started by individuals, they are successful and they are a household name. Perhaps I hadn't been paying attention but they were a few I had not heard of . Out of 30 there were nineteen I had really heard of.
The good ones have been well covered elsewhere such as Dyson, Friends Reunited and Moneysupermarket .com.
People who think about starting businesses but ever get round to it cite two reasons ! I need a good idea 2 someone will steal my good idea. Perhaps there are no new ideas just variations on a theme. Even modern phenomena like Bebo never claimed to be the first just one of the more successful. Very rarely if ever does someone come up with a world beating new idea. even Dyson was just developing a better vacuum cleaner.
Another reviewer has commented on the section on what we can learn from these businesses as a group? that is 1 The X Factor 2 Minimal personal reward financially 4 Do what it says on the tin 5 Keep it simple 6 Work hard than you might think possible 7 Kept trying and believing 8 Who needs money? 8 Ambition 9 So what?
Can I make a plea for business book writers and journalist to stop telling us that X ! Quit the rat race" to start his own business. It is rubbish and boring.
Maybe a book for people who do not read the business pages but there are better books out there on ideas and how to start your own business. Business appears to have become the new Rock and Roll but on The Apprentice we see it is a lot harder than you think. Perfectly bright intelligent hard working people do not seem to be able to get it right.
They are uplifting stories but like the apprentices you should try just a basic business to start with to see if you have the staying power. The vast majority of the population will not make it in business because they are not hard working enough, do not have enough ambition and have an inability to work consistently every day.
A reasonable enough book but it did not inspire me to read it from cover to cover. I dipped into the ones that I liked.
Anyone can do it ....., 18 Feb 2008
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort. Feeling of inspiration, 19 Jun 2007
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline. Great book because of the way its layed out ..., 07 Mar 2008
Thought this was a great book. The way it takes you through a week by week step makes it very easy to understand and he gives you some very useful contacts. I reckon with the majority of people who read this they will feel much more comfortable and at ease in starting a business. Not for me!, 30 Dec 2007
One week to understand suppliers, one week to consider the management team! A whole week to think about your dream. Get real, no business is going to get off the ground on these deadlines. Its the kind of book to gift to someone who is considering self-employment. As a tool it is weak and except for the odd chapter here and there didn't tell me what I needed to know. Very disappointed, will probably try to re-sell as it is not worth book shelf space. Start a business with this book, 15 Dec 2006
So you're thinking of starting, going to start or already started a business.
Then you should read this book. It helps by breaking down the process of starting a business into bite sized chunks that as the title suggests can be eaten week by week.
It's full of useful information and is backed up by a great online community flyingstartups.com with it's very own podcasts that has been set up by the author, whom you can tell is also passionate about the members of the site and their businesses and or ideas.
Regards
Paul Jennings
electrical-concepts.co.uk Best Books for Business Starts, 16 Mar 2006
This book along with THE BLACK BOOK OF OUTSOURCING (Brown & Wilson, Wiley Publishers 2005) gave us the best start we could as for. If you're starting a business, don't go another step without reading these two books. They will put you on track to successes you didn't even know possible. Great books!
If you buy 1 book on starting up your own business buy this, 02 Feb 2006
Thought other readers might like to know that we agree with every comment left by my fellow reviewers. This is a book which assumes you know nothing (we didn't) but by the time of finishing you are left with a very clear idea and (hopefully) plan on how to turn your idea into a reality. It holds your hand and walks you through a 20+ week plan to turn your initial "shall we / shan't we" thoughts of starting up your own business into a reality. It's written in simple and easy to understand language - it never baffles and has some great tips. It doesn't presume to have all the answers and offers alternative sources of information at the end of each chapter, as appropriate to the activities for that week. Well done Steve for writing a great book. I never thought that we could actually run our own business but after reading your book we really believe we can - and a succesful business at that.
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Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.) Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one. If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur. An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough! This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!! Really interesting, 20 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead. superficial, 30 Aug 2008
I think another reviewer here said that this looked like a cut and paste job. That pretty much sums it up. Appears to be little or no original research. The analysis of the secret of their success, whether in the approach they took, their innate character or their ideas seems very superficial.
Clearly some of the individuals profiled had no time for the author or just had absolutely nothing insightful to say. A real pity, because it would have been great to have found inspiration, hope and ideas from great entrepreneurs. Plenty of good ideas , 01 May 2008
How they started How 30 good ideas became great businesses BY David Lester
I devour business books but this one looks like a cut an paste job. It is trying to appeal to a large audience but it is set out like a reference book.
A good business book should mix facts with anecdotes and personal stories. It claims that their criteria for choosing was they were started by individuals, they are successful and they are a household name. Perhaps I hadn't been paying attention but they were a few I had not heard of . Out of 30 there were nineteen I had really heard of.
The good ones have been well covered elsewhere such as Dyson, Friends Reunited and Moneysupermarket .com.
People who think about starting businesses but ever get round to it cite two reasons ! I need a good idea 2 someone will steal my good idea. Perhaps there are no new ideas just variations on a theme. Even modern phenomena like Bebo never claimed to be the first just one of the more successful. Very rarely if ever does someone come up with a world beating new idea. even Dyson was just developing a better vacuum cleaner.
Another reviewer has commented on the section on what we can learn from these businesses as a group? that is 1 The X Factor 2 Minimal personal reward financially 4 Do what it says on the tin 5 Keep it simple 6 Work hard than you might think possible 7 Kept trying and believing 8 Who needs money? 8 Ambition 9 So what?
Can I make a plea for business book writers and journalist to stop telling us that X ! Quit the rat race" to start his own business. It is rubbish and boring.
Maybe a book for people who do not read the business pages but there are better books out there on ideas and how to start your own business. Business appears to have become the new Rock and Roll but on The Apprentice we see it is a lot harder than you think. Perfectly bright intelligent hard working people do not seem to be able to get it right.
They are uplifting stories but like the apprentices you should try just a basic business to start with to see if you have the staying power. The vast majority of the population will not make it in business because they are not hard working enough, do not have enough ambition and have an inability to work consistently every day.
A reasonable enough book but it did not inspire me to read it from cover to cover. I dipped into the ones that I liked.
Anyone can do it ....., 18 Feb 2008
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort. Feeling of inspiration, 19 Jun 2007
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline. Great book because of the way its layed out ..., 07 Mar 2008
Thought this was a great book. The way it takes you through a week by week step makes it very easy to understand and he gives you some very useful contacts. I reckon with the majority of people who read this they will feel much more comfortable and at ease in starting a business. Not for me!, 30 Dec 2007
One week to understand suppliers, one week to consider the management team! A whole week to think about your dream. Get real, no business is going to get off the ground on these deadlines. Its the kind of book to gift to someone who is considering self-employment. As a tool it is weak and except for the odd chapter here and there didn't tell me what I needed to know. Very disappointed, will probably try to re-sell as it is not worth book shelf space. Start a business with this book, 15 Dec 2006
So you're thinking of starting, going to start or already started a business.
Then you should read this book. It helps by breaking down the process of starting a business into bite sized chunks that as the title suggests can be eaten week by week.
It's full of useful information and is backed up by a great online community flyingstartups.com with it's very own podcasts that has been set up by the author, whom you can tell is also passionate about the members of the site and their businesses and or ideas.
Regards
Paul Jennings
electrical-concepts.co.uk Best Books for Business Starts, 16 Mar 2006
This book along with THE BLACK BOOK OF OUTSOURCING (Brown & Wilson, Wiley Publishers 2005) gave us the best start we could as for. If you're starting a business, don't go another step without reading these two books. They will put you on track to successes you didn't even know possible. Great books!
If you buy 1 book on starting up your own business buy this, 02 Feb 2006
Thought other readers might like to know that we agree with every comment left by my fellow reviewers. This is a book which assumes you know nothing (we didn't) but by the time of finishing you are left with a very clear idea and (hopefully) plan on how to turn your idea into a reality. It holds your hand and walks you through a 20+ week plan to turn your initial "shall we / shan't we" thoughts of starting up your own business into a reality. It's written in simple and easy to understand language - it never baffles and has some great tips. It doesn't presume to have all the answers and offers alternative sources of information at the end of each chapter, as appropriate to the activities for that week. Well done Steve for writing a great book. I never thought that we could actually run our own business but after reading your book we really believe we can - and a succesful business at that.
SPARE ROOM START UP, 18 Aug 2008
Reviewed by serial entrepreneur Valerie Dwyer, founder of My Wonderful Life(tm) Coach and other enterprises. Gripping as any thriller, for an entrepreneur that is, this is the book to take you from rags to riches quicker than Cinderella - when you take the lessons. Oh! that this book had been around when I started my first enterprise at 18. I have met some of the featured entrepreneurs from these Case Studies and had the privilege to work with a number of home business start up entrepreneurs, including the late Dame Anita Roddick, and Emma Jones. This book gets the message across that they are just like us. Speaking from experience, starting a business from home is life changing but EASY! - when you know how. Spare Room Start Up is excellent not only for helping people to make that start, but it is a call to stand up and take pride that a home based business is the most sensible and cost-effective way for many people to test, launch and grow their business idea in a safe environment. This applies perhaps especially for people with illnesses, disabilities, children or caring responsibilities - And let's be clear, the lessons in this book also apply equally to all businesses.
Full of practical business and personal stuff; lots of brilliant Case Studies; easy to follow hints, tips and ideas; useful website links plus templates that you can use straight away for everything from sorting out your marketing plan to getting the pages of publicity that every business needs.
Spare Room Start Up fascinating, educational, practical, easy to read and understand, with valuable lessons taking you through the process step by step, it is also a very tactile book, lovely texture, packed with beautiful colour photographs - it its unputdownable! A present (Christmas is coming) for students, this book should be in all libraries and a recommended text for schools, colleges and universities. Make it available in crèches for the new generation of Mumpreneurs! Spare Room Start Up should be the handbook of all business advisers and business support agencies and organisations, including Business Links.
What's more, this is an excellent coffee table book for every home and reception area even doctor's surgeries - because it is great medicine. But watch out - it's just the right size to pop into your bag and walk away with! mywonderfullife@btinternet.com
The Perfect Business Springboard, 14 Jun 2008
Finally a book people can relate to, it's tough enough contemplating starting your own business but when most books are stuffy or written by larger corporate organisations in corporate speak, it makes it even harder. It's about time we had a perfect stepping stone to getting started in business. Lot's of time later for the heavy volumes, which still have a vital role, but not as your first read! This book guides you into the all important foundations, builds personal & business confidence, and explains the pro's and con's without scaring you off the idea. Having been a business owner for years I know that starting out is a giant step so congratulations to Emma Jones for being bold and breaking out of the world of old fashioned business books - let's hope there is more to follow! I will be recommending this book to my client's and friends as a helpful first step.
A Refreshing Change to the norm!!!, 02 Jun 2008
Just finished reading Spare Room Start Up and really enjoyed it. Having read a number of business start up books before setting up my own business I have to say what a breath of fresh air! The layout and pictures make it a really different type of book. I have really enjoyed it and find myself keeping it on my desk to flick through during the course of the day. The pictures and style is inspiring.
Well done!!
everything you need to know, 28 May 2008
I bought this book yesterday and read it in one night. I have been on a few business link start up courses and this covered absolutely everything I had been told and more. E.Jones backs up everything she says with website details and examples of other home business owners which is encouraging as they also so why they did it and the positive difference it has made to their lives.Easy to read and informally written, I also found that every question I had was answered. The author mentions a follow up , that Im sure will be just as good.
great read for any new business, 20 May 2008
Emmas book is both logical and practical (with nice photos which always helps). By following this book i am sure many spare room start up would have an easier start - i wish i had a chance to read this when we started The Baby Gurus, me from my back bedroom and Emma in her dining room - this book is ideal for any new start company looking to gain focus on the task ahead.
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Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.) Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one. If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur. An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough! This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!! Really interesting, 20 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead. superficial, 30 Aug 2008
I think another reviewer here said that this looked like a cut and paste job. That pretty much sums it up. Appears to be little or no original research. The analysis of the secret of their success, whether in the approach they took, their innate character or their ideas seems very superficial.
Clearly some of the individuals profiled had no time for the author or just had absolutely nothing insightful to say. A real pity, because it would have been great to have found inspiration, hope and ideas from great entrepreneurs. Plenty of good ideas , 01 May 2008
How they started How 30 good ideas became great businesses BY David Lester
I devour business books but this one looks like a cut an paste job. It is trying to appeal to a large audience but it is set out like a reference book.
A good business book should mix facts with anecdotes and personal stories. It claims that their criteria for choosing was they were started by individuals, they are successful and they are a household name. Perhaps I hadn't been paying attention but they were a few I had not heard of . Out of 30 there were nineteen I had really heard of.
The good ones have been well covered elsewhere such as Dyson, Friends Reunited and Moneysupermarket .com.
People who think about starting businesses but ever get round to it cite two reasons ! I need a good idea 2 someone will steal my good idea. Perhaps there are no new ideas just variations on a theme. Even modern phenomena like Bebo never claimed to be the first just one of the more successful. Very rarely if ever does someone come up with a world beating new idea. even Dyson was just developing a better vacuum cleaner.
Another reviewer has commented on the section on what we can learn from these businesses as a group? that is 1 The X Factor 2 Minimal personal reward financially 4 Do what it says on the tin 5 Keep it simple 6 Work hard than you might think possible 7 Kept trying and believing 8 Who needs money? 8 Ambition 9 So what?
Can I make a plea for business book writers and journalist to stop telling us that X ! Quit the rat race" to start his own business. It is rubbish and boring.
Maybe a book for people who do not read the business pages but there are better books out there on ideas and how to start your own business. Business appears to have become the new Rock and Roll but on The Apprentice we see it is a lot harder than you think. Perfectly bright intelligent hard working people do not seem to be able to get it right.
They are uplifting stories but like the apprentices you should try just a basic business to start with to see if you have the staying power. The vast majority of the population will not make it in business because they are not hard working enough, do not have enough ambition and have an inability to work consistently every day.
A reasonable enough book but it did not inspire me to read it from cover to cover. I dipped into the ones that I liked.
Anyone can do it ....., 18 Feb 2008
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort. Feeling of inspiration, 19 Jun 2007
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline. Great book because of the way its layed out ..., 07 Mar 2008
Thought this was a great book. The way it takes you through a week by week step makes it very easy to understand and he gives you some very useful contacts. I reckon with the majority of people who read this they will feel much more comfortable and at ease in starting a business. Not for me!, 30 Dec 2007
One week to understand suppliers, one week to consider the management team! A whole week to think about your dream. Get real, no business is going to get off the ground on these deadlines. Its the kind of book to gift to someone who is considering self-employment. As a tool it is weak and except for the odd chapter here and there didn't tell me what I needed to know. Very disappointed, will probably try to re-sell as it is not worth book shelf space. Start a business with this book, 15 Dec 2006
So you're thinking of starting, going to start or already started a business.
Then you should read this book. It helps by breaking down the process of starting a business into bite sized chunks that as the title suggests can be eaten week by week.
It's full of useful information and is backed up by a great online community flyingstartups.com with it's very own podcasts that has been set up by the author, whom you can tell is also passionate about the members of the site and their businesses and or ideas.
Regards
Paul Jennings
electrical-concepts.co.uk Best Books for Business Starts, 16 Mar 2006
This book along with THE BLACK BOOK OF OUTSOURCING (Brown & Wilson, Wiley Publishers 2005) gave us the best start we could as for. If you're starting a business, don't go another step without reading these two books. They will put you on track to successes you didn't even know possible. Great books!
If you buy 1 book on starting up your own business buy this, 02 Feb 2006
Thought other readers might like to know that we agree with every comment left by my fellow reviewers. This is a book which assumes you know nothing (we didn't) but by the time of finishing you are left with a very clear idea and (hopefully) plan on how to turn your idea into a reality. It holds your hand and walks you through a 20+ week plan to turn your initial "shall we / shan't we" thoughts of starting up your own business into a reality. It's written in simple and easy to understand language - it never baffles and has some great tips. It doesn't presume to have all the answers and offers alternative sources of information at the end of each chapter, as appropriate to the activities for that week. Well done Steve for writing a great book. I never thought that we could actually run our own business but after reading your book we really believe we can - and a succesful business at that.
SPARE ROOM START UP, 18 Aug 2008
Reviewed by serial entrepreneur Valerie Dwyer, founder of My Wonderful Life(tm) Coach and other enterprises. Gripping as any thriller, for an entrepreneur that is, this is the book to take you from rags to riches quicker than Cinderella - when you take the lessons. Oh! that this book had been around when I started my first enterprise at 18. I have met some of the featured entrepreneurs from these Case Studies and had the privilege to work with a number of home business start up entrepreneurs, including the late Dame Anita Roddick, and Emma Jones. This book gets the message across that they are just like us. Speaking from experience, starting a business from home is life changing but EASY! - when you know how. Spare Room Start Up is excellent not only for helping people to make that start, but it is a call to stand up and take pride that a home based business is the most sensible and cost-effective way for many people to test, launch and grow their business idea in a safe environment. This applies perhaps especially for people with illnesses, disabilities, children or caring responsibilities - And let's be clear, the lessons in this book also apply equally to all businesses.
Full of practical business and personal stuff; lots of brilliant Case Studies; easy to follow hints, tips and ideas; useful website links plus templates that you can use straight away for everything from sorting out your marketing plan to getting the pages of publicity that every business needs.
Spare Room Start Up fascinating, educational, practical, easy to read and understand, with valuable lessons taking you through the process step by step, it is also a very tactile book, lovely texture, packed with beautiful colour photographs - it its unputdownable! A present (Christmas is coming) for students, this book should be in all libraries and a recommended text for schools, colleges and universities. Make it available in crèches for the new generation of Mumpreneurs! Spare Room Start Up should be the handbook of all business advisers and business support agencies and organisations, including Business Links.
What's more, this is an excellent coffee table book for every home and reception area even doctor's surgeries - because it is great medicine. But watch out - it's just the right size to pop into your bag and walk away with! mywonderfullife@btinternet.com
The Perfect Business Springboard, 14 Jun 2008
Finally a book people can relate to, it's tough enough contemplating starting your own business but when most books are stuffy or written by larger corporate organisations in corporate speak, it makes it even harder. It's about time we had a perfect stepping stone to getting started in business. Lot's of time later for the heavy volumes, which still have a vital role, but not as your first read! This book guides you into the all important foundations, builds personal & business confidence, and explains the pro's and con's without scaring you off the idea. Having been a business owner for years I know that starting out is a giant step so congratulations to Emma Jones for being bold and breaking out of the world of old fashioned business books - let's hope there is more to follow! I will be recommending this book to my client's and friends as a helpful first step.
A Refreshing Change to the norm!!!, 02 Jun 2008
Just finished reading Spare Room Start Up and really enjoyed it. Having read a number of business start up books before setting up my own business I have to say what a breath of fresh air! The layout and pictures make it a really different type of book. I have really enjoyed it and find myself keeping it on my desk to flick through during the course of the day. The pictures and style is inspiring.
Well done!!
everything you need to know, 28 May 2008
I bought this book yesterday and read it in one night. I have been on a few business link start up courses and this covered absolutely everything I had been told and more. E.Jones backs up everything she says with website details and examples of other home business owners which is encouraging as they also so why they did it and the positive difference it has made to their lives.Easy to read and informally written, I also found that every question I had was answered. The author mentions a follow up , that Im sure will be just as good.
great read for any new business, 20 May 2008
Emmas book is both logical and practical (with nice photos which always helps). By following this book i am sure many spare room start up would have an easier start - i wish i had a chance to read this when we started The Baby Gurus, me from my back bedroom and Emma in her dining room - this book is ideal for any new start company looking to gain focus on the task ahead.
Useful but flawed, 11 Feb 2008
In many ways there is great information in this book. It's a bit dry and a little dated but it is very thorough in terms of the information that it contains. i.e. if you want to start a sandwich bar then it is certainly a good start. It provides a worthwhile road map to help you get open. There is a lot of advice on the tedious but essential stuff like dealing with your EHO, insurance agents, surveyors etc. You even get little sections on stakeholder pensions and walkie talkies.
My issue with it is that it really the story of one man opening a sandwich bar. i.e. it is based on a very limited experience and very specific factors. The days of being able to open a sandwich bar (or a coffee bar) in the style of this are, in most areas, gone. The competition these days is ferocious and I know, from harsh personal experience, that you need to work really, really hard to survive out there.
So you may have a section on walkie talkies but you also only have a half page in the whole book about coffee and that's just some very cursory advice about the machines! A book with the title of "Starting and running a sandwich-coffee bar" is being somewhat disingenuous with the title if it only has half a page on coffee in my opinion.
It also singularly lacks any emphasis about creating something unique and almost completely glosses over the financial side of the business. The marketing sections are extremely limited too. You can see sandwich (coffee!) bars opening like this in your own town almost every year and they simply don't last.
To operate a successful sandwich or coffee bar you have to dig much deeper. You really need to focus on creating a reason for people to visit and you need to have a handle on your figures very firmly from day one. You also need to learn every marketing trick in the book and keep learning every day if you're to compete with one of the big chains opening beside you. If you rely heavily on the advice of this book the chances of long term success are extremely limited in my view.
But like I say there is some good basic advice there. I'd still recommend you have a look at it but I'd also buy at least five or six other books of this type as well. The two essential purchases for anyone who is even vaguely thinking of opening a sandwich or coffee bar are "Wake up and smell the profit" by John Richardson and "The E-myth" by Michael Gerber. Those are the two books that transformed my little sandwich coffee bar both in terms of profitability and also the ability for me not to have to be there every day myself.
And if you are thinking of opening a sandwich/coffee bar then good luck. But make sure you have removed your rose-tinted spectacles and have your eyes fully open from day one. It's a great business but a long way from being the dream-life that most of my friends think it is.
Great confidence booster, lots of helpful advice for starting up and running, 19 Mar 2007
I bought this as I'm considering opening my own cafe and didn't have the first clue where to start. I was doubting my own commitment to such a project as I was finding it difficult to get motivated, but this book has really changed my feelings for the better.
I found the simple style very easy to read and the message is - anyone can do it with a bit of consideration and hard work. In fact I read the book cover to cover in one weekend. It takes you through the pro's & con's of different set ups eg sole trader/partnership, owning or leasing your property etc. It is very specific to opening a takeout sandwich/coffee bar but it would be useful to any novice considering going into a catering business as it gives lots of advice on employing staff, publicity & marketing etc. I found my position had changed from one of trepidation and self-doubt at the start to feeling inspired to get on. Within days of reading I was contacting people in the industry and searching for properties.
The only area on which I would fault it was that it doesn't give any pointers on how to start searching for property (my local newspaper certainly doesn't advertise commercial properties), or any formulaic way of working out expected initial outlay - although I appreciate this is very difficult without specific contextual knowledge.
Enjoyable and Informative Guide..., 04 Oct 2004
Starting a cafe/sandwich bar is something that has been going through my mind for a while. Nearly all the literature out there is very US centric so it is really useful to find a good UK based book. The author's style is very readable and informative and has very good advice on subjects such as refridgeration issues, tax and employment and finding and fitting out a premises. The benefit of knowing some of the mistakes the author originally made on starting out and how to put them right is great. Although the book mentions business plans, it doesn't go into detail on how to put one together so you'll need to get another book to cover that, if like me you are not totally confident in putting one together. This book has definately given me the confidence to understand what I will need to do get things moving and I recommend it.
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Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.) Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one. If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur. An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough! This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!! Really interesting, 20 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead. superficial, 30 Aug 2008
I think another reviewer here said that this looked like a cut and paste job. That pretty much sums it up. Appears to be little or no original research. The analysis of the secret of their success, whether in the approach they took, their innate character or their ideas seems very superficial.
Clearly some of the individuals profiled had no time for the author or just had absolutely nothing insightful to say. A real pity, because it would have been great to have found inspiration, hope and ideas from great entrepreneurs. Plenty of good ideas , 01 May 2008
How they started How 30 good ideas became great businesses BY David Lester
I devour business books but this one looks like a cut an paste job. It is trying to appeal to a large audience but it is set out like a reference book.
A good business book should mix facts with anecdotes and personal stories. It claims that their criteria for choosing was they were started by individuals, they are successful and they are a household name. Perhaps I hadn't been paying attention but they were a few I had not heard of . Out of 30 there were nineteen I had really heard of.
The good ones have been well covered elsewhere such as Dyson, Friends Reunited and Moneysupermarket .com.
People who think about starting businesses but ever get round to it cite two reasons ! I need a good idea 2 someone will steal my good idea. Perhaps there are no new ideas just variations on a theme. Even modern phenomena like Bebo never claimed to be the first just one of the more successful. Very rarely if ever does someone come up with a world beating new idea. even Dyson was just developing a better vacuum cleaner.
Another reviewer has commented on the section on what we can learn from these businesses as a group? that is 1 The X Factor 2 Minimal personal reward financially 4 Do what it says on the tin 5 Keep it simple 6 Work hard than you might think possible 7 Kept trying and believing 8 Who needs money? 8 Ambition 9 So what?
Can I make a plea for business book writers and journalist to stop telling us that X ! Quit the rat race" to start his own business. It is rubbish and boring.
Maybe a book for people who do not read the business pages but there are better books out there on ideas and how to start your own business. Business appears to have become the new Rock and Roll but on The Apprentice we see it is a lot harder than you think. Perfectly bright intelligent hard working people do not seem to be able to get it right.
They are uplifting stories but like the apprentices you should try just a basic business to start with to see if you have the staying power. The vast majority of the population will not make it in business because they are not hard working enough, do not have enough ambition and have an inability to work consistently every day.
A reasonable enough book but it did not inspire me to read it from cover to cover. I dipped into the ones that I liked.
Anyone can do it ....., 18 Feb 2008
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort. Feeling of inspiration, 19 Jun 2007
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline. Great book because of the way its layed out ..., 07 Mar 2008
Thought this was a great book. The way it takes you through a week by week step makes it very easy to understand and he gives you some very useful contacts. I reckon with the majority of people who read this they will feel much more comfortable and at ease in starting a business. Not for me!, 30 Dec 2007
One week to understand suppliers, one week to consider the management team! A whole week to think about your dream. Get real, no business is going to get off the ground on these deadlines. Its the kind of book to gift to someone who is considering self-employment. As a tool it is weak and except for the odd chapter here and there didn't tell me what I needed to know. Very disappointed, will probably try to re-sell as it is not worth book shelf space. Start a business with this book, 15 Dec 2006
So you're thinking of starting, going to start or already started a business.
Then you should read this book. It helps by breaking down the process of starting a business into bite sized chunks that as the title suggests can be eaten week by week.
It's full of useful information and is backed up by a great online community flyingstartups.com with it's very own podcasts that has been set up by the author, whom you can tell is also passionate about the members of the site and their businesses and or ideas.
Regards
Paul Jennings
electrical-concepts.co.uk Best Books for Business Starts, 16 Mar 2006
This book along with THE BLACK BOOK OF OUTSOURCING (Brown & Wilson, Wiley Publishers 2005) gave us the best start we could as for. If you're starting a business, don't go another step without reading these two books. They will put you on track to successes you didn't even know possible. Great books!
If you buy 1 book on starting up your own business buy this, 02 Feb 2006
Thought other readers might like to know that we agree with every comment left by my fellow reviewers. This is a book which assumes you know nothing (we didn't) but by the time of finishing you are left with a very clear idea and (hopefully) plan on how to turn your idea into a reality. It holds your hand and walks you through a 20+ week plan to turn your initial "shall we / shan't we" thoughts of starting up your own business into a reality. It's written in simple and easy to understand language - it never baffles and has some great tips. It doesn't presume to have all the answers and offers alternative sources of information at the end of each chapter, as appropriate to the activities for that week. Well done Steve for writing a great book. I never thought that we could actually run our own business but after reading your book we really believe we can - and a succesful business at that.
SPARE ROOM START UP, 18 Aug 2008
Reviewed by serial entrepreneur Valerie Dwyer, founder of My Wonderful Life(tm) Coach and other enterprises. Gripping as any thriller, for an entrepreneur that is, this is the book to take you from rags to riches quicker than Cinderella - when you take the lessons. Oh! that this book had been around when I started my first enterprise at 18. I have met some of the featured entrepreneurs from these Case Studies and had the privilege to work with a number of home business start up entrepreneurs, including the late Dame Anita Roddick, and Emma Jones. This book gets the message across that they are just like us. Speaking from experience, starting a business from home is life changing but EASY! - when you know how. Spare Room Start Up is excellent not only for helping people to make that start, but it is a call to stand up and take pride that a home based business is the most sensible and cost-effective way for many people to test, launch and grow their business idea in a safe environment. This applies perhaps especially for people with illnesses, disabilities, children or caring responsibilities - And let's be clear, the lessons in this book also apply equally to all businesses.
Full of practical business and personal stuff; lots of brilliant Case Studies; easy to follow hints, tips and ideas; useful website links plus templates that you can use straight away for everything from sorting out your marketing plan to getting the pages of publicity that every business needs.
Spare Room Start Up fascinating, educational, practical, easy to read and understand, with valuable lessons taking you through the process step by step, it is also a very tactile book, lovely texture, packed with beautiful colour photographs - it its unputdownable! A present (Christmas is coming) for students, this book should be in all libraries and a recommended text for schools, colleges and universities. Make it available in crèches for the new generation of Mumpreneurs! Spare Room Start Up should be the handbook of all business advisers and business support agencies and organisations, including Business Links.
What's more, this is an excellent coffee table book for every home and reception area even doctor's surgeries - because it is great medicine. But watch out - it's just the right size to pop into your bag and walk away with! mywonderfullife@btinternet.com
The Perfect Business Springboard, 14 Jun 2008
Finally a book people can relate to, it's tough enough contemplating starting your own business but when most books are stuffy or written by larger corporate organisations in corporate speak, it makes it even harder. It's about time we had a perfect stepping stone to getting started in business. Lot's of time later for the heavy volumes, which still have a vital role, but not as your first read! This book guides you into the all important foundations, builds personal & business confidence, and explains the pro's and con's without scaring you off the idea. Having been a business owner for years I know that starting out is a giant step so congratulations to Emma Jones for being bold and breaking out of the world of old fashioned business books - let's hope there is more to follow! I will be recommending this book to my client's and friends as a helpful first step.
A Refreshing Change to the norm!!!, 02 Jun 2008
Just finished reading Spare Room Start Up and really enjoyed it. Having read a number of business start up books before setting up my own business I have to say what a breath of fresh air! The layout and pictures make it a really different type of book. I have really enjoyed it and find myself keeping it on my desk to flick through during the course of the day. The pictures and style is inspiring.
Well done!!
everything you need to know, 28 May 2008
I bought this book yesterday and read it in one night. I have been on a few business link start up courses and this covered absolutely everything I had been told and more. E.Jones backs up everything she says with website details and examples of other home business owners which is encouraging as they also so why they did it and the positive difference it has made to their lives.Easy to read and informally written, I also found that every question I had was answered. The author mentions a follow up , that Im sure will be just as good.
great read for any new business, 20 May 2008
Emmas book is both logical and practical (with nice photos which always helps). By following this book i am sure many spare room start up would have an easier start - i wish i had a chance to read this when we started The Baby Gurus, me from my back bedroom and Emma in her dining room - this book is ideal for any new start company looking to gain focus on the task ahead.
Useful but flawed, 11 Feb 2008
In many ways there is great information in this book. It's a bit dry and a little dated but it is very thorough in terms of the information that it contains. i.e. if you want to start a sandwich bar then it is certainly a good start. It provides a worthwhile road map to help you get open. There is a lot of advice on the tedious but essential stuff like dealing with your EHO, insurance agents, surveyors etc. You even get little sections on stakeholder pensions and walkie talkies.
My issue with it is that it really the story of one man opening a sandwich bar. i.e. it is based on a very limited experience and very specific factors. The days of being able to open a sandwich bar (or a coffee bar) in the style of this are, in most areas, gone. The competition these days is ferocious and I know, from harsh personal experience, that you need to work really, really hard to survive out there.
So you may have a section on walkie talkies but you also only have a half page in the whole book about coffee and that's just some very cursory advice about the machines! A book with the title of "Starting and running a sandwich-coffee bar" is being somewhat disingenuous with the title if it only has half a page on coffee in my opinion.
It also singularly lacks any emphasis about creating something unique and almost completely glosses over the financial side of the business. The marketing sections are extremely limited too. You can see sandwich (coffee!) bars opening like this in your own town almost every year and they simply don't last.
To operate a successful sandwich or coffee bar you have to dig much deeper. You really need to focus on creating a reason for people to visit and you need to have a handle on your figures very firmly from day one. You also need to learn every marketing trick in the book and keep learning every day if you're to compete with one of the big chains opening beside you. If you rely heavily on the advice of this book the chances of long term success are extremely limited in my view.
But like I say there is some good basic advice there. I'd still recommend you have a look at it but I'd also buy at least five or six other books of this type as well. The two essential purchases for anyone who is even vaguely thinking of opening a sandwich or coffee bar are "Wake up and smell the profit" by John Richardson and "The E-myth" by Michael Gerber. Those are the two books that transformed my little sandwich coffee bar both in terms of profitability and also the ability for me not to have to be there every day myself.
And if you are thinking of opening a sandwich/coffee bar then good luck. But make sure you have removed your rose-tinted spectacles and have your eyes fully open from day one. It's a great business but a long way from being the dream-life that most of my friends think it is.
Great confidence booster, lots of helpful advice for starting up and running, 19 Mar 2007
I bought this as I'm considering opening my own cafe and didn't have the first clue where to start. I was doubting my own commitment to such a project as I was finding it difficult to get motivated, but this book has really changed my feelings for the better.
I found the simple style very easy to read and the message is - anyone can do it with a bit of consideration and hard work. In fact I read the book cover to cover in one weekend. It takes you through the pro's & con's of different set ups eg sole trader/partnership, owning or leasing your property etc. It is very specific to opening a takeout sandwich/coffee bar but it would be useful to any novice considering going into a catering business as it gives lots of advice on employing staff, publicity & marketing etc. I found my position had changed from one of trepidation and self-doubt at the start to feeling inspired to get on. Within days of reading I was contacting people in the industry and searching for properties.
The only area on which I would fault it was that it doesn't give any pointers on how to start searching for property (my local newspaper certainly doesn't advertise commercial properties), or any formulaic way of working out expected initial outlay - although I appreciate this is very difficult without specific contextual knowledge.
Enjoyable and Informative Guide..., 04 Oct 2004
Starting a cafe/sandwich bar is something that has been going through my mind for a while. Nearly all the literature out there is very US centric so it is really useful to find a good UK based book. The author's style is very readable and informative and has very good advice on subjects such as refridgeration issues, tax and employment and finding and fitting out a premises. The benefit of knowing some of the mistakes the author originally made on starting out and how to put them right is great. Although the book mentions business plans, it doesn't go into detail on how to put one together so you'll need to get another book to cover that, if like me you are not totally confident in putting one together. This book has definately given me the confidence to understand what I will need to do get things moving and I recommend it.
excellent book, 18 Sep 2007
I started my own business up in May this year and wish I'd bought this book alot earlier. It is excellent and anyone wanting to start up their own business should buy it. The advice given is great and from my own experience I know exactly where he is coming from. It has been through more luck than judgement that I did set up the business the way he suggests in the book. Personally, I wouldn't have set it up any other way because it really gives you a foundation to start from. It has certainly given me alot of ideas to work on and I know I'll always be rereading this book.
Covers all bases on starting your own gardening business... great book., 05 Mar 2007
My wife and I have followed this book to a tee and have found that it covers all bases in starting your own gardening business, right down to the accountancy side of it. We are now at the point where work is starting to come in and we are about to go at it full-time.
Thanks for your help Paul.
Andrew & Jane Lowe
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Customer Reviews
Superbly Practical, 13 Oct 2008
I bought a number of start-up books to help get to grips with starting my new business. This was by far the best. I still refer back to it. It is well written and informative throughout. (So good, I felt compelled to write my first ever Amazon review.) Guiding you on the way.., 17 Oct 2007
My wife bought this book for me to help me achieve a dream.
Without a doubt, I'd not be so far advanced and positive about a small business future without it.
Cheryl holds your hand and guides you through each step of the start-up process. All your considerations, your ideas and even doubts are discussed. Even better, there's practical exercises to get your thoughts going and push you forward.
The advice and exerpts from successes and failures of business provide excellent ideas, inspiration and guidance.
If you buy just one book to help you start your business - make it this one. If you want to start your own business...this is a must read, 12 Apr 2007
A brilliant book. It explains every detail of what you need to start up a business. It also gives you tips from well known personnel from big firms about starting up and the challenges and hurdles you will face along the way. I am now more than prepared to start my own business... A must read for any entrepeneur. An excellent workbook - all you need to know to start-up, 20 Feb 2006
I've bought most of the top 10 business books and have found this to be the best one - partly because it is so easy to read and digest, partly because of the pearls of wisdom from well-known entrepreneurs (including the lessons learned sections about what they'd do differently with hindsight) and partly because of all the really useful exercises peppered throughout that get you to do something practical to drive the business forward. Congrats to the author on a truly inspiration read that incites action. Can't recommend this book highly enough! This book is the Business!!!, 04 Oct 2005
This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!! Really interesting, 20 Nov 2008
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead. superficial, 30 Aug 2008
I think another reviewer here said that this looked like a cut and paste job. That pretty much sums it up. Appears to be little or no original research. The analysis of the secret of their success, whether in the approach they took, their innate character or their ideas seems very superficial.
Clearly some of the individuals profiled had no time for the author or just had absolutely nothing insightful to say. A real pity, because it would have been great to have found inspiration, hope and ideas from great entrepreneurs. Plenty of good ideas , 01 May 2008
How they started How 30 good ideas became great businesses BY David Lester
I devour business books but this one looks like a cut an paste job. It is trying to appeal to a large audience but it is set out like a reference book.
A good business book should mix facts with anecdotes and personal stories. It claims that their criteria for choosing was they were started by individuals, they are successful and they are a household name. Perhaps I hadn't been paying attention but they were a few I had not heard of . Out of 30 there were nineteen I had really heard of.
The good ones have been well covered elsewhere such as Dyson, Friends Reunited and Moneysupermarket .com.
People who think about starting businesses but ever get round to it cite two reasons ! I need a good idea 2 someone will steal my good idea. Perhaps there are no new ideas just variations on a theme. Even modern phenomena like Bebo never claimed to be the first just one of the more successful. Very rarely if ever does someone come up with a world beating new idea. even Dyson was just developing a better vacuum cleaner.
Another reviewer has commented on the section on what we can learn from these businesses as a group? that is 1 The X Factor 2 Minimal personal reward financially 4 Do what it says on the tin 5 Keep it simple 6 Work hard than you might think possible 7 Kept trying and believing 8 Who needs money? 8 Ambition 9 So what?
Can I make a plea for business book writers and journalist to stop telling us that X ! Quit the rat race" to start his own business. It is rubbish and boring.
Maybe a book for people who do not read the business pages but there are better books out there on ideas and how to start your own business. Business appears to have become the new Rock and Roll but on The Apprentice we see it is a lot harder than you think. Perfectly bright intelligent hard working people do not seem to be able to get it right.
They are uplifting stories but like the apprentices you should try just a basic business to start with to see if you have the staying power. The vast majority of the population will not make it in business because they are not hard working enough, do not have enough ambition and have an inability to work consistently every day.
A reasonable enough book but it did not inspire me to read it from cover to cover. I dipped into the ones that I liked.
Anyone can do it ....., 18 Feb 2008
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort. Feeling of inspiration, 19 Jun 2007
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline. Great book because of the way its layed out ..., 07 Mar 2008
Thought this was a great book. The way it takes you through a week by week step makes it very easy to understand and he gives you some very useful contacts. I reckon with the majority of people who read this they will feel much more comfortable and at ease in starting a business. Not for me!, 30 Dec 2007
One week to understand suppliers, one week to consider the management team! A whole week to think about your dream. Get real, no business is going to get off the ground on these deadlines. Its the kind of book to gift to someone who is considering self-employment. As a tool it is weak and except for the odd chapter here and there didn't tell me what I needed to know. Very disappointed, will probably try to re-sell as it is not worth book shelf space. Start a business with this book, 15 Dec 2006
So you're thinking of starting, going to start or already started a business.
Then you should read this book. It helps by breaking down the process of starting a business into bite sized chunks that as the title suggests can be eaten week by week.
It's full of useful information and is backed up by a great online community flyingstartups.com with it's very own podcasts that has been set up by the author, whom you can tell is also passionate about the members of the site and their businesses and or ideas.
Regards
Paul Jennings
electrical-concepts.co.uk Best Books for Business Starts, 16 Mar 2006
This book along with THE BLACK BOOK OF OUTSOURCING (Brown & Wilson, Wiley Publishers 2005) gave us the best start we could as for. If you're starting a business, don't go another step without reading these two books. They will put you on track to successes you didn't even know possible. Great books!
If you buy 1 book on starting up your own business buy this, 02 Feb 2006
Thought other readers might like to know that we agree with every comment left by my fellow reviewers. This is a book which assumes you know nothing (we didn't) but by the time of finishing you are left with a very clear idea and (hopefully) plan on how to turn your idea into a reality. It holds your hand and walks you through a 20+ week plan to turn your initial "shall we / shan't we" thoughts of starting up your own business into a reality. It's written in simple and easy to understand language - it never baffles and has s | | |