Book Review: $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

Books on entrepreneurship are extremely common. Many business owners try to sell a book that basically shares their story for success. However, their methods may not apply to your interests or skill sets. So what if you're looking for the elements that make each business successful? There are many similarities between startups built on a shoestring that not only survive but also thrive. You can read these secrets to success and apply them yourself using Chris Guillebeau's $100 Startup.

Pros:

• Friendly, conversational voice
• Fun images and formatting
• Utilizes case studies from over 1,000 startups
• Removes funding as an excuse
• Very motivational
• Offers realistic, practical advice

Cons:

• Won't go into all the specifics

Summary:
If you're looking to pursue a passion on the side or perhaps something can support you entirely, the $100 Startup is a great place to begin. Chris provides some excellent examples from people from all walks of life and financial situations. He highlights the creativity and hard work neccessary to succeed in any business. I wish I would've had some of these tips before I started my business as a makeup artist, as I've had to learn some of these lessons the hard way! Chris' book offers an empowering message, and he helps cut down your excuses and literally shows you the door to sucess. Just be aware that you are the one who has to walk through it.

Chris' book is a starting point that offers a general overview from concept to launch. if you're looking for a book about specific details (licenses, specific resources for your industry, etc.), this might not be the book for you. But if you've been itching to start and need some solid guidelines from someone who's been there before, the $100 Startup can be a huge help. If you follow Chris' advice, I can almost guarantee this book will pay for itself in no time.

BONUS: You can also check out my Amazon video review. If you like it, please consider voting it as "helpful" so others can find it more easily. Thanks!


How this book helped me:
While I enjoy writing this blog and doing makeup work, I love side projects. Almost all of us could use a little extra cash, whether you're trying to get out of debt, save for a trip, or reach a variety of other goals. Chris has some excellent tips about finding a unique skill that can help you make a profit in your own way. I wrote extensive notes as I read and am working on a website for one of my top ideas. I had a hard time choosing, as Chris helped me realize that there are many skills that I could utilize for a side business. Using the selection method described in the book, I decided to start with an information product.

I then began the steps to launch. For my business, this meant calling my local sales tax office, filing for sales tax, and doing a little research on email lists and payment methods. While I wait for my sales tax permit, I'll be brushing the dust off my video camera and writing some materials together for a launch page. I'm really exited about this new project and I'll keep you posted!

Thinking about going pro? Check out my book, The Mercenary Makeup Artist: Breaking into the Business with Style.

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