Book Review: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months
It isn’t everyday that someone comes up with a workable formula for small business success. Melinda Emerson has done just that in Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months.
She takes a different approach to business-building: a practical, doable approach that covers the 12 months BEFORE you step out into public with your new business.
I have coached thousands of small business owners, so I can attest that it takes at least a year, and often two years, before your business is on solid ground. Yes, you can start making a profit the first month, but the business-building rollercoaster ride doesn’t slow down for the first year, and Melinda has the step-by-step blueprint that will help you through those rough and tumble months.
I love her Month One Task: Get Your Life Plan Together. Shoot! I wish people would read this chapter before deciding whether they want to go into business or not. Melinda doesn’t sugar-coat things: she reminds you that you’ll work long and hard hours at your business, so knowing why you’re doing it, how it fits into your life, and how business ownership models fit your personality style can make or break your business success.
In the following chapters, Melinda gets down to the nitty-gritty of business building: financial planning, marketing planning, and dealing with people. Along the way she shares her own story about the ups and downs of small business ownership, and stories of others (both those who have made a success of their businesses, and those who have closed their businesses).
This book is a “keeper.” Valuable lessons are scattered throughout the book, so you’ll want to read it all the way through once, then each month, re-read the chapter that pertains to what you’re working on. And before you launch your business, re-read it again to make sure you covered all the bases. This is one of those books you’ll keep on your bookshelf and dip into time and again.
