Book Review : "Shoestring Venture: The Startup Bible"

Originally posted on Amazon.com in November, but added here as an example of how I can write a review when I'm really excited about the product. And this book STILL excites me, so if you are in the market for a good resource, check this book out at the link in the title!


This is the first review I've ever done, but this book just totally floored me and none of my non-business friends understand why, nor do they care, so I thought I'd tell the people who DO care, since you're the ones interested in this topic and I'm bursting to tell somebody about this book!


I know you've heard this kind of statement before, but this book really does have it all! The table of contents wowed me from the beginning with all that it had to offer! From the importance of how to name your business and your website to designing a logo, to how to create a business plan to raise capital, get grants, finance the business, laws to be aware of, pitfalls to avoid (which are nicely placed in gray boxes throughout the book so you can't miss them), etc. Even various types of software that can help the process along the way. This is a resource that anyone considering a small business, or who already has a business that they are struggling with trying to keep going, needs to have on their bookshelf! Not only how to start your business, but how to keep it going once you've made the commitment. How to set up bill paying, productivity software for various fields, the rollout, manufacturing, staffing and hiring, when to use outsourcing and ecommerce are covered! Even how to use widgets to advertise! There are so many things in this book that I never thought of myself, that I can't think of anything that is not covered! And what isn't covered directly by the author, is covered by links to resources where that topic is covered in great detail by the experts in the field. The authors didn't just Google a few links and stick them in, they actually found expert resources.


It's not dry reading either. It did NOT put me to sleep! Even though it's not a book you have to read from cover to cover, I couldn't put it down! There was so much I never knew about! It is laid out in an easy to understand manner, in a chronology that is logical. I am really amazed at what I found, and it has given me the confidence to take my business plans to the next level and actually BE a business, even with my current limited resources (even that is covered!), instead of just a simple "here's my card, call me" type of freelancer that people don't take very seriously.


Seriously, if you have had even a minor inkling of an idea of starting your own business but have been afraid because you didn't know what it was you didn't know, or how to find out more about what you thought you knew, then this is the right book for you!