Book Description
The national retail apparel business has grown to a $172 billion per year industry, and the employment rate for designers is expected to outpace that of all other occupations through the year 2008. The Fashion Designer Survival Guide is a must-have for the thousands of talented designers who want to see their dream of creating an independent fashion line become a reality.
Mary Gehlhar, author, industry authority, and consultant to hundreds of designers (including newcomers Alicia Bell, Keanan Duffty, and Milly), gives readers behind-the-scenes advice and essential business information on creating and sustaining a successful career as an independent designer. The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides the necessary tools to get a fashion line or label up and moving on the right track, including: •Start-up costs and financing •Legal issues •Business plans •Public relations and sales •Marketing and manufacturing •Distribution-trade, trunk, and runway shows
This book also provides case studies from independent designers at different stages of their careers, including tough letdowns and exciting successes. Young designers weigh-in on topics important to them when they were starting out, while several top name designers offer personal perspectives on a single question, providing a window to their world and a variety of answers.
Designers are bursting with creativity but often fall flat going into business as an independent. The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides designers with the one thing design school didn’t-intelligent and successful business practices.
Customer Reviews:
This book is a must have to start your own fashion line.......2007-10-10
It tells you step by step what to do and what not to do, it even gives you places to go so you can get started and gives you that extra push you need to make it
Everything you need to know and more.......2007-06-10
This book is the most concise source of information on how to mindfully start one's own clothing line. Detailed and clear, it outlines everything one needs to know from inseption and development through financials, incorporation, press, factory relations, shows and beyond. It is, by far, the most complete resource for any aspiring designer.
A must have.......2007-06-01
I f you are starting a business this is the best book you can find.
You ll find a lot of advices that will be very helpful.
Don't waste your time or money........2007-03-20
Ok I read this book and this other book called Fashion For Profit. This author obivously does not sound like she has really worked in the garment industry. It would be very scary to start a business taking advice from this book. It kind of reminds me of that old sewing lady professor you have in home economics class trying to tell you like you are a 4 year old trying to run a company, scary stuff if you ask me. I got all I ever needed out of Fashion For Profit. That book is strictly business. It's twice as much ,but you get what you pay for. Apparently the author of Fashion for Profit has been voted numerous times in the top 10 most influential in the California Apparel Industry by the California Apparel News. Bottom line you get what you pay for.
This book is absolutely fabulous! .......2007-02-13
I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about starting their own fashion design business. It answers any and all questions and best of all it provides resources that we all need (especially if we have no one to guide us). If you're a student of course you would have the resources provided to you by the school itself, but for someone who is doing this from natural talent and ideas, it's GREAT!!!
Book Description
This book is a guide map, a tool developed to open your eyes to what is necessary to open and run your own, successful practice.
Customer Reviews:
authors motive??.......2007-10-24
Since I had recently opened my own practice, I thought the book would give insight on where to market and some tools needed for marketing and just tips on how to efficiently run an outpatient clinic. I found this book to be not so helpful,it seemed as if the author wanted to steer anyone away from having their own practice and a lot of the reading was very vague, so... purchase at your own risk
Worth every penny and much more!.......2007-04-02
As a physician considering offering PT services,I found this book excellent. Everything from ICD-9 to CPT crosswalks, to negotiating with managed care, to courting a referring doctor is covered here. Good general primer on running any type of healthcare practice.
awesome book.......2007-03-08
Great book. Simple to read yet has all kinds of great tips. HIghly recommend.
Great book!.......2007-01-22
I have thoroughly enjoyed and read this wonderful masterpiece of a how-to-book! A great buy for anyone interested in starting and managing their own physical therapy practice.
Book Description
At some point in most careers one considers the idea of starting a business. Some people want to pursue a dream, some figure they can beat the boss at his or her own game, and for some people unemployment forces the issue. US Customs tells us most international traders are small businesses, and world trade continues to grow rapidly. Given the improvements in transportation and communication worldwide, inevitably now small business in USA has some international component...some more than others. Surely there is no safer investment for your time and money than self-employment. Surprisingly, for many who start their own businesses, making money is not always the prime motivator. Nonetheless, recent studies provide some remarkable information about self-employment: 80% of the millionaires in USA became so in their own career - 2/3rds are self-employed; the self-employed are four times more likely to be millionaires than others. It seems the most common career move in becoming rich is to become self-employed. This book now shows you how to build a business and takes you through the steps so you will know you can do it, and is structured so you may take positive steps after each chapter toward building your business. Surely you will finish the book before your business gets started, but by the time you finish the book, not only should you feel "ready to go", but actually be on your way. World trade is different from the domestic variety, and small is different from large business. Small Business International Trade has some specific challenges which this book illumines and solves. Starting a business is necessarily disruptive... but to what extent? Like the tennis pro who shows you how to get great improvement out of small changes, book assumes you can stand minimal disruption and risk. For those who desire to engage directly in world trade, and for those who are hired to do so, this book explains how small business trades worldwide.
Customer Reviews:
THE book on learning Import/Export.......2007-10-17
I have an interest (along with my wife) with selling specialty novelty items. We always seem to have lots of ideas but have lacked a system for getting them to market.
After reading the reviews on Amazon for this book, I picked it up How Small Business Trades Worldwide and read it cover to cover. Excellent pragmatic advice. One of the greatest parts of Spier's system is how you can test the market without investing a substantial amount of money. He provides a great step-by-step system to opening your own import/export business. Added bonus: he's got one heck of a sense of humor.
I would also recommend signing up for his online class too.
Insightful Book.......2007-10-11
I normally do not review many items, but I felt that this book was a great help in explaining all of the intricacies involved in small business trade. If you are deciding between this and other books, this clearly is the best book out there regarding international trade. I have read most of the other books on Amazon regarding this topic and in each of them they provide very little in terms of how to be successful. Additionally once you finish the book, the author is more then willing to answer any questions you might have while providing a medium in which to further your knowledge in international trade (listserv). If you want to be successful in international trade or are wondering how small businesses trade worldwide, order this book as it will provide you with a clear picture as to how to get into this field.
This book is one you must read.......2007-07-19
I purchased this book and then ended up enrolling in one of John Spiers' classes on world trade. I can not say enough good about this book and John Speirs' approach to small business. After researching many other books, courses and programs, that seemed to be nothing more than marketing schemes designed to get you to purchase some "must have" resource for an import/export business. While reading this book I feel as if I have a mentor teaching me step by step the way to succeed in small business world trade. His approach is clear and concise. The book is easy to read because it is so well written. I feel that this book has changed my thinking and strategy and has probably saved me from making fatal business mistakes.
Simple, straightforward and thorough.......2007-05-10
Thanks very much for your book. It has certainly saved me a lot of mistakes, time and money. The book is concise, well written with lots of practical information on getting your product from conception to market. More than just a basic 'importing 101' book, it includes insights and information that could only be otherwise obtained by years of hands-on experience.
A fantastic step-by-step book.......2007-05-08
I picked up this book about a month ago and I just have to say that it's absolutely fantastic. I've been looking high and low for this book and I couldn't find it anywhere until now. Most books just reiterate information you'd typically find in some weekend trading class at a local community college.
The difference between this book and other books I've read is that this book actually gives you practical advice for small businesses. It beautifully outlines the steps you need to develop your own products from start to finish. Economies of scale for most products make it almost impossible for small business owners to compete for market share. Instead, the book focuses on innovation which is a more viable option for most people.
This book has really inspired me to pursue my product and I feel more confident now than with any other book. Thanks for an awesome and informative read.
Book Description
This book answers all questions about getting started in a home-based medical billing business
Customer Reviews:
Allied Medical Management Services.......2007-10-19
This book is exactly what new medical billing business owners need! I obtained extensive training through medical billing and coding courses, however nothing in those courses touched on all the all-important aspects of running the business like this book, and others by Mr. Coslick. This book is a necessity if you are thinking of starting a business in medical billing. It is thorough, easy to understand and will really help you take that final step to actually start your business!
WORTH THE INVESTMENT.......2007-09-21
I TOOK AN ONLINE MEDICAL BILLING COURSE. WHEN I COMPLETED THE COURSE I WONDERED WHERE I WOULD FIND ALL THE TOOLS NEEDED TO START MY IN-HOME BUSINESS. THIS BOOKS CONTAINS ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO START YOUR OWN MEDICAL BILLING BUSINESS, FROM START TO FINISH. IT IS QUIT RESOURCEFUL AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE KEPT IN ARMS REACH. IF USED CORRECTLY, THE INFORMATION CONTAINED INSIDE THIS BOOK CAN BE USED AS A CHECKLIST IN STARTING UP, AS WELL AS OPERATING YOUR BUSINESS. I FEEL THE AUTHOR WAS QUIT THOROUGH. THERE IS ALSO A LIST OF ASSOCIATION'S THAT WILL BE NEEDED THROUGHOUT YOUR OPERATION.
Plain Language.......2005-09-29
Author does a very good job of approaching this business from a real-life standpoint, as opposed to over-hyping it. This leads to a better understanding of what it will take to be successful.
Setting Up Your Medical Billing Business.......2004-10-06
After completing another home course on Medical Billing and scoring well but feeling desperately alone, I came across Mr. Coslick's book Setting Up Your Medical Billing Business. I found the book to be very practical and so very helpful. After having read his book twice in the same month,I was challenged and ready to go. His book is filled with good old common sense and hard work along with a great sense of humor, a rare find on such a technical subject. I highly recommend it to anyone considering this business and I look forward to reading other books he has written on this subject.
setting up your medical billing business.......2004-03-17
Merlin Coslick's book on Setting Up Your Medical Billing Business is written in a clear, no nonsense, step by step approach to the do's and don'ts of starting your own Electronic Medical Billing business. Everything you need to know to get started is included and delivered to the reader with both humor and an easy to follow format. I've read it three times, refer to it often, always gaining new insite or a jump-start on what I've already learned. It has proven to be a very important business tool to us. I recommend this treasure to all entrepeneurs looking to start a business. Thanks Merl for all the time you have saved me.
Sincerely, KKH&A MEDICAL BILLING SOLUTIONS
Book Description
“Ann Holmes has created the perfect guide to help women turn their dreams into a reality.”
–Donna Mullen Good, CEO of the Center for Women & Enterprise
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, or if you’ve ever wondered about how to build up the business you already run, but worry because you don’t have an MBA or a couple of years of college business courses, this book is for you. Based on extensive interviews with more than eighty women entrepreneurs from around the country, There’s a Business in Every Woman offers inspiring success stories (and instructive missteps) in a wide range of businesses–from catering, landscaping, personal training, and wedding and events planning to interior and clothing design, staffing, manufacturing, and product design.
What the trailblazing women in this book have in common is a good idea and the courage to turn a dream into a money-making reality through hard work, passion, and drive. Take, for instance, the woman who started an IT consulting company in her basement and now has more than a thousand employees in three states; two jogging buddies who commiserated about their uncomfortable bras and went on to design and produce a jog bra, creating a company that Playtex ultimately bought for millions; the mom whose hand-made birthday-party invitations made such a splash that she launched her own custom party invitation company, which she expanded to include holiday cards, gift tags, bags, and more; the sixty-five-year-old corporate wife and mother who applied her domestic talents to opening a profitable B&B; the twenty-three-year-old who bought a fledging real estate franchise and now earns a healthy six figures annually.
These success stories highlight the practical: focusing on what you’re good at; setting up your business properly–even if you are starting out from your basement or garage; getting financial backing when you need it; marketing your products with sizzle; networking like the “good old boys”; understanding how and when to diversify your products or services; managing your growth; and, most important, knowing what your company is worth and when it might be lucrative to cash out.
An accessible crash course in starting and running your own business, There’s a Business in Every Woman will teach you everything you need to know to turn your pipedream into serious profits.
Customer Reviews:
If you want to start your own business, read this book.......2007-05-04
This book is great for anyone who is in business or wants to start a business. Ann Holmes knows her subject. She has successfully started, run and sold multiple businesses. Although directed toward women, anyone going into business can benefit.
Ann writes with the wisdom of a mother who knows how to coach her children from birth to graduation, one step at a time. She assumes the reader is starting at the beginning and must acquire the business language, know-how, and understanding needed to operate a successful company.
True to her subtitle, the book provides a concise 7-step guide to discovering, starting and building the business of your dreams. It comes complete with a checklist for each step, real life examples, and plenty of resources. Ann openly shares her own experiences of having to make tough decisions to get her business through difficult times. Beside the checklists there are "Success" stories and "Regrets" stories to help you recognize the value of each step and what the consequences could be if you do not organize a business in a systematic way.
In the second part of her book, putting the seven steps into practice, Ann continues to provide real-life examples so the reader will comes away with a total concept that the business owner's role is to be the captain who charts the course for the business and uses the wisdom of the 7-step guide to navigate the business to a successful outcome including selling the business if that is your goal.
The only thing left for the reader is to have the brilliant business idea, follow the 7-step guide, and make the decisions that let your business flourish.
Armchair Interviews says: With so many women starting businesses, anything that helps them be successful is important to read.
A ra-ra book for women who want to think about starting their own small business........2007-04-12
I enjoyed this book. I think any woman who collects a W-2 and wants to become self-employed would do themselves a favor to read this book as they plan to make the transition. As I turned the pages to this book I felt as though I was reading a re-write of Ginny Wilmerding's book that came out last year entitled Smart Women and Small Business (ISBN: 0471778680). See my review for that book.
This book is broken into 10 chapters as follows:
1. How Do You Know if There's a Business in You?
2. Choose and Focus on Your Core Competencies
3. Build Your Company's Infrastructure
4. Keep Good Financials
5. Market Your Products
6. Diversify
7. Plan and Manage Growth
8. Understand Valuation and Organize an Exit Plan
9. Put Your Company into Play
10. Done Deals: Sold Companies and IPOs
It claims to include a 7-step guide to discovering, starting, and building the business of your dreams. I found the "guide" to include some wonderful information, but I did not find it to flow logically from one step to the next. At page 30 of the book in Figure 2 the 7-steps are diagrammed. I'm not going to point out all the diagram's flaws, but I will say I think it would have been much better if it had been written as the following "7 steps." See
1. Learn the ropes of your business BEFORE you start it (have a skill set)
2. Prepare a business plan
3. Start the business
4. Market the business & keep good financial records
5. Grow & Diversify
6. Systematize the business
7. Sell the business (exit & move on)
The author says at page 5 of the book that she wrote it for women entrepreneurs to help them navigate the steps to business success. As long as you keep in mind the above 7 steps I have written here you can read the book and the author will accomplish what she set out to do by writing the book. There is lots of great content in this book. My favorite part was Chapters 9 & 10 that describes the process of preparing to sell your company and cash out. I would have liked the book better if the topic of venture capital had been left out. It did not seem appropriate for the target audience of this book.
I particularly liked the reference made to SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) at page 35. I'm a SCORE volunteer, and the fact that I am is probably why I am reviewing this book. It's worth a read. 4 stars!
Book Description
A practical how-to guide for those interested in entering the craft beer business as a pub brewer, micro brewer, contract brewer or distributor. Includes financial and regulatory information, success stories from those already in the business and a clear description of each business type.
Customer Reviews:
ok..........2007-09-01
There is some useful information here, but it is mostly a collection of magazine articles written by various authors. This is not worth the $80 listed retail or even the $50 at amazon. The book not being written by a single author lacks a flow between sections. The sections dealing with financing and startup are nice, but I would like some more in depth information on various types of equipment available. If you can find this book for 20-25 that might be a more worthwhile price.
And as a side note, I think Ray Daniels' books that he authored are great.
The Guide to THINKING About It.......2007-06-21
What worse way to describe a book than, 'It was OK', it's like someone telling you your best atribute is that your 'nice'. But that's just it, for what it was supposed to be 'The Brewers Association's Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery' (think about it, that's a lot of weight in that title) it was only OK. There was some nice insight from brewing professionals whose opinions I already respect, there was some rough ideas of what to expect, and some sections with great detail about things I couldn't care less about at this point - the point of 'I'm still reading books to plan a brewery'.
I would have really have liked to have seen more real money and real equipment talked about. Basically they broke it down like this: it is hard and expensive, but if you can pull it off it is sooo worth it. That's not enough for me. Oh, I will mention there was a very detailed business plan which could be a great reference to the right person, but it reads like a business plan, go figure. Real snoozer of a way to end the book.
One last thing, this is an $80 book that as an AHA member I was able to buy for $50 from the Brewers Association so I at least felt like I got a deal, but to now see Amazon with it for sale for $50 kind of burns me up. This isn't an $80 book (think college text book) nor really a $50 book (think high school text book or instruction manual), it's more of a decent $25 book (think normal informative/opinionated book). So, all in all I am not saying don't get this book, but I would only get this book if you are seriously contemplating opening your own brewery and only as one more reference, not the be-all-to-end-all.
Not Recommended.......2007-03-31
I had high hopes for this book, but ultimately am left greatly disappointed.
First, I agree with the previous reviewer - this book has more typos and grammatical errors than any book I've ever read! It's really unacceptable in any book, but certainly when the book retails for $80.
Second, this isn't a step-by-step guide to starting a brewing business. It's a hodgepodge of articles from old issues of The New Brewer magazine combined with random interviews and new writings from various "brewing professionals". Their seems to be no real "road map" or grand plan to the way the info is presented. I was extremely disappointed in the amount of information provided on professional brewing equipment. In contrast, an entire chapter was devoted to the selection of flooring material for the brewhouse floor. Admittedly this is an important decision, but the ratio to other information is odd at best.
I've met Ray Daniels at an AHA rally and he seems like a great guy who is passionate about beer and brewing. Unfortunately, this is a poor effort by Ray and I am guessing he's quite embarrassed whenever anyone mentions it.
Michael
Worth the Money.......2007-03-24
One of the more expensive books I've bought recently...but an enjoyable, inspiring, and informative read. Obviously doesn't contain all the details (cost of individual brewhouse components for example) but does a great job identifying and describing the business on the system level. Also introduced me to some required areas of expertise I had not previously considered (e.g. wastewater treatment).
Poorly Edited, OK Content.......2007-03-23
Ok, so for someone who went to school for art, hasn't taken an English class in 7 years, this book has more grammatical and editing errors than I have EVER seen in a published book.
The transcribed interviews are missing punctuation needed to make it read properly. In-text notes to the designers are still present. There are typos and misspellings, as though the chapters from various brewery owners were simply copy/pasted from their e-mails to the final publication.
And I've hardly started the book! I'm on page 23....
What gets me most is that this is the second/revised version of this book. Seriously people. Next time ABA, let me copy-edit it in exchange for beer. You know I'll do it.
If the book improves dramatically by the end, I'll revise my review.
kvh
Book Description
The bestselling first edition of The McGraw-Hill Guide to Starting Your Own Business sold more than 75,000 copies, and took the reader step-by-step through the entire process of starting a new venture. This completely revised second edition once again shows entrepreneurs the keys to determining the best business opportunities, creating a business plan, and formulating a winning marketing strategy. In addition, it now profiles alternative sources of funding from SBA loans to angel investors and provides valuable do's and don'ts from over one hundred entrepreneurs.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent guide to start your own business.......2007-01-11
It is a complete guide to start your own business, specially when you are first time. It covers all the steps in the process from finding out what kind of business to complete a real business plan. It also analyse buying an existing business or a franchise. Excellent book.
A Must-Read for the New Entrepreneur.......2006-11-20
This book is a great starting point for the first-time entrepreneur; it is informative and motivating for one who has toyed with the idea of starting a business, but lacks the experience to know where to begin in his journey. Dr. Harper helps the reader to re-evaluate his or her plans to avoid failure in the future.
Pretty good intro to starting a business.......2005-12-27
This book is a good summary of the more technical aspects of starting a business. It doesn't dig into economics or financial issues too deeply so just reading this book isn't going to make you an expert. But, I think the general steps to starting a business are laid-out pretty well and that this book has a lot of value for someone looking for direction. One thing I would have liked to see in this book was a concise summary of all the steps involved so that when it is time to refer back to this book after reading it, you're not digging through the details and examples.
So far it has been very informational........2005-09-11
I have not read the whole book yet but from what I have read it has been very informational. There are a lot of good tips and things that I had not even thought about. I think I got what I paid for.
Eye Opening!.......2002-11-21
I would highly recommend picking up this book to anyone contemplating opening a small business or maybe struggling with an existing one. It is an easy read and reminds you of the common pitfalls, at the same time motivating for success...
Book Description
The Professional Pet Sitter teaches, step-by-step, how to organize a pet sitting business, price, market, run it day to day and provide consistent, disciplined perfect service. Business forms are included!
Husband and wife team, Lori and Scott Mangold, have been providing loving, in-home pet care since 1988. Their business was inspired by their love for animals and the desire to develop a fun, home-based business.
After seemingly endless requests that they teach others how to set up and conduct pet sitting businesses, they decided to package their experience and systems. They share their knowledge and experience completely with you in The Professional Pet Sitter.
Customer Reviews:
Pet Sitting Guide.......2007-01-09
I thought this book was just average. It is very over priced for what the book actually has to offer.
very informative.......2006-11-04
this book is very informative. it's a must-have for new enterperneurs interested in this field. i highly recommend it.
An excellent resource.......2005-08-29
When I first started thinking about starting my business in the early-mid 90's I picked up this book and devoured it. Then, it sat on my shelf as I pursued my 'corporate ladder' and took care of pets part-time.
When I decided to open my business full-time I again referred to the book. It really kept me inspired and ready to move forward. However, I did find that many of the suggestions were somewhat outdated -- using paper to track clients and schedules was never part of my plan -- but the basics of what they recommend you track/keep were great -- and I adapted the info to my on-line database. Since then, I've switched to a third-party service for an on-line database for client info, but the info I learned from the Mangolds' book was great.
I did read this book before Patti Moran's and tend to refer to it as the original 'bible' in my mind. But both books cover the same territory and give you a good overview of wht to expect. Petsitters are generally GREAT with pets and like the idea of spending time with them, but often have a hard time with the business side...this book is a great guide and reminder that you are in it to make money.;
As my business grew (http://www.peggiespets.com), I started helping other pet-sitters start or enhance their own businesses, ([...]) and this is a book that I include on my reading list for clients.
It's a good book that should be part of your learning library to continue to provide outstanding service to pets and their people!
Peggie Arvidson-Dailey
MY SUCCESS STORY.......2005-08-12
When I took early retirement after 25 years in the Banking industry and began a career in pet sitting, I found a treasure in "The Professional Pet Sitter." It is a gem not only in the useful information it contains, but also in the caring philosophy conveyed by its authors, Lori and Scott Mangold. Whether you are considering pet sitting as a full-time or part-time venture, this book is valuable. With time being a precious commodity in today's fast-paced world, I found that "The Professional Pet Sitter" provided clear-cut, easy-to-locate details on how to establish a successful service. As a further boon to launching a pet sitting career quickly and effectively, all appropriate business forms are included in the book. Thanks to the Mangolds' encouragement and expertise embodied in "The Professional Pet Sitter," my business is now in its sixth year and flourishing.
The Professional Pet Sitter.......2005-07-06
This is a wonderful book for anyone starting out in the business or for those who are already actively involved. It is full of useful information and can be used as a reference manual in multiple areas when business questions arise. I would highly recommend it!
Book Description
Technology has sent shockwaves of change through the world of commercial art. Digital illustration and design, online portfolio sites, and the proliferation of stock art have radically changed the way that illustrators and graphic designers work. What has not changed, however, is the wealth of illustrators and graphic designers hoping to turn their talent into freelance success. More than ever, artists face questions such as how to get started, how to sell their work, how to promote themselves, and what to do once they are working. For those embarking on freelance careers in illustration or graphic design, the answers have arrived. A twenty-five year veteran in the field, Michael Fleishman, has detailed every business aspect of commercial art in Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer.
Customer Reviews:
essential.......2007-08-14
so you want to go freelance... you really, REALLY want to go freelance? Tired of working for a boss? Want your own hours? Sleep late? Get this book, read it and then decide. It'll give you a well-rounded education of what they don't tell you in art school because what your professors were really interested in at that time wasn't your education, but getting a piece of co-ed you-know-what while they collected their paycheck.
Best Book On Freelancing I've Ever Read.......2007-06-27
This is simply one of the best books for starting a freelance art career that I've ever read. This book gives you very practical information about almost every detail of freelance illustration and graphic design. You'll find information on creating business and financial plans, setting up and managing a studio, billing procedures, creating a portfolio and marketing yourself to potential clients. I find a lot of books of this nature don't talk about the raw mechanics of business so much as they offer token inspiration and motivation. If you're interested in a book that will actually give you useful information about the business side of freelancing this is the one to buy.
The only areas where it seemed to be a little on the thin side were dealing with taxes and the legal issues concerned with working for youself. Other than that it was wonderful.
Great reference book!.......2007-05-28
I love this book! It's great for those just starting up and has covered each aspect of becoming a freelancer. Each time something has come up, I referenced this book and found the answers! Highly recommended!
A great little guide for the wanta-be entrepreneur who doesn't have a mentor to help them go from W-2 worker to self-employed!.......2007-04-29
I really liked this book a lot. It was a very good first-hand book written by a small business owner about his experiences starting, managing, and prospering as a freelance illustrator and/or graphic designer. His writing style was not exactly stellar. But it certainly was clear. The 20 chapters included in the book fell into the following 4 topics:
1. STARTING THE FIRM
>>Where Do You Start?
>>Off on the Right Foot
>>Creating a Plan for Your Business
>>Developing Your Financial Plans
>>Forms, Charts & Templates
>>Pricing Your Work and Getting Paid
2. MANAGING THE FIRM
>>Why Should You Freelance?
>>Setting Up Shop
>>Managing Your New Studio
3. RAINMAKING FOR THE FIRM
>>Bring in Clients
>>How to Get Noticed
>>What Goes in the Portfolio
>>Marketing on the Web
4. POSSIBLE MARKETS
>>The Magazine Market
>>Selling to the Newspapers
>>Working with Advertising Agencies
>>Selling to Book Publishers
>>The Greeting Card Market
>>Working with Art and Design Studios
>>Selling to Small Business
Since I am not an illustrator or a graphic designer I did not have much use for the fourth topic. But it was interesting to read about. I regularly counsel wanta-be entrepreneurs about how to start a small business; I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor. And the material covered in the first three topics above are exactly what I talk about with my SCORE clients. I highly recommend this book to anybody wanting to start their own small consulting practice. It does a wonderful job discussing the topics.
My biggest complaint with the book is the tendency of the author to recommend outsourcing so many functions: accounting, taxes, and Web site design and construction. I think these things should be fully understood by the small business owner and probably done by the owner herself. When the business grows to have a few employees, then the employees can do those tasks if the owner wants to do that.
I would have written the section on choice of business structure differently. Keep in mind that LLCs can be either single member or multi member. An LLC can elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship (single member), a partnership (multi member), or a C Corporation. Also, a multi member LLC will have to file a partnership tax return. A good book on the subject that I recommend you read to supplement this book is Structuring Your Business (ISBN: 1593371772). I highly recommend forming an LLC and electing to have it taxed as a C Corporation. Just give yourself a bonus at year-end so the corporation retains no earnings. If your business is a corporation it is less likely to be audited by the IRS. 5 stars!
Good book.......2006-11-11
At first, I had heard that this author talks "down" to the illustrator when he is explaining things, but this book I actually found very helpful, true to life and there weren't any sugar coatings. I enjoyed how he wrote and he put things into perspective, he didn't talk down.
Book Description
This 271 page manual contains all the information, strategies, and materials needed to start a mystery shopping business in your community. It addresses marketing, selecting and preparing contract shoppers, organizing work, evaluating shoppers' reports, designing report formats, producing statistical reports, pricing your services, and ethical issues. The CD-rom that accompanies our manual contains samples of blank forms for many different types of businesses, forms to track the work in your office, and samples of contracts for shoppers.
Customer Reviews:
Starting Your Mystery Shopping Business.......2006-05-01
If you are serious about setting up a Mystery Shopping business of your own, this book will guide you through the steps you need to take. I couldn't imagine starting my business without the help that Judith Rappold has provided by writing such a thorough 'how to' book.
My right hand for my business!!!!.......2003-05-16
I bought this book a few years ago. I still use it on a very regular basis in my business. It is open on my bookshelf, as I needed to refer to it for a project I am working on. It has a wealth of vital, to-the-point information. There is no hype, just straight forward, solid information.
A Smart Investment!.......2003-01-25
This manual is a definite asset for anyone determined to run a successful mystery shopping company. The sample formats for various reports will save me hours of set up time so that I can get right to work. Judith touches on everything from marketing strategies to tracking work in the office. The included CD is a great addition. A smart investment that will pay off quickly when put to use!
Expensive!!!.......2002-05-26
This manual is comprehensive, but you pay the price. If you're looking to get into the mystery shopping business, start as a mystery shopper first quickly, then decide if you want to do this.
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- The Trusted Advisor
- The Unofficial Guide to Central Italy: Florence, Rome, Tuscany, and Umbria (Unofficial Guides)
Books Index
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Fashion Design
| Commercial
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Start Your Own Clothing Store (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up)
Fashion Design Drawing Course
Fashion For Profit
High Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World's Best Designers: A Step-By-Step Guide to Sewing Stylish Seams, Buttonholes, Pockets, Collars, Hems, And More (Rodale Sewing Book)
Figure Drawing for Fashion Design (Pepin Press Design Books)
