The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
Here are some “Big Picture” guides to getting started in business for yourself. When we start out to make money in business, we tend to know about the process involved in making money. We know how to build a swing set perhaps, or to install a car battery. But do we know how to operate a business?
In the long run, it means do we know how to KEEP any of the money we make and actually market our business?
These general guides, “The Big Book of Small Business” and “Small Business For Dummies” will help you negotiate the sometimes confusing skills you need to acquire to have a business instead of just a hobby that generates the occasional spare buck or two!
The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
- ISBN13: 9780061206696
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Your shoes are charred from stomping out brush fires. You have nightmares about UFOs–Unreachable Financial Objectives. All-star interviewees turn into duds. Meetings cause more problems than they solve. The office is a ghost town at 5:01 p.m. Does this sound familiar?
Tom Gegax knows what that is like. Years after running his Tires Plus franchise by the seat of his pants, blissfully unaware of how little he knew about getting the most out of people and managing a world-class organization, Tom was faced with a cancer diagnosis and a business at the brink of disaster. Resolved to change things around, he improved his mental clarity, health, and relationships and noticed that the more he profited on a personal level, the more his company profited. Tires Plus grew into a 0 million business with 150 upscale locations. He had learned the first lesson in Enlightened Leadership 101: Focus on the well-being of your employees and customers–as well as your own–and success will follow naturally.
In The Big Book of Small Business, Tom shares his hard-earned lessons on how to become an enlightened, effective leader, and on how to do the small things right so the big decisions work. This all-in-one toolbox for small businesses is jammed with warm-hearted, tough-minded practices and street-smart tips, covering every aspect of a growing business:
- Starting, funding, and getting your new business off the ground
- Crafting a mission and growing a corporate culture that works
- Hiring the best people and maximizing their potential
- Communicating and negotiating with your employees, customers, and suppliers
- Creating processes for continuous innovation and growth
- Protecting your business from unforeseen dangers
- Planning for growth
- And much more . . .
As thorough as a textbook and as lively as a news magazine, The Big Book of Small Business is the most comprehensive and practical book on how to take a small business to the next level, and an indispensable slingshot for the millions of scrappy Davids taking on corporate Goliaths.
Rating: 
(out of 17 reviews)
List Price: $ 29.99
Price: $ 16.01
Small Business For Dummies
- ISBN13: 9780470177471
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Want to start the small business of your dreams? Want to breathe new life into the one you already have? Small Business For Dummies, 3rd Edition provides authoritative guidance on every aspect of starting and growing your business, from financing and budgeting to marketing, management and beyond.
This completely practical, no-nonsense guide gives you expert advice on everything from generating ideas and locating start-up money to hiring the right people, balancing the books, and planning for growth. You’ll get plenty of help in ramping up your management skills, developing a marketing strategy, keeping your customers loyal, and much more. You’ll also find out to use the latest technology to improve your business’s performance at every level. Discover how to:
- Make sure that small-business ownership is for you
- Find your niche and time your start-up
- Turn your ideas into plans
- Determine your start-up costs
- Obtain financing with the best possible terms
- Decide whether or not to incorporate
- Make sense of financial statements
- Navigate legal and tax issues
- Buy an existing business
- Set up a home-based business
- Publicize your business and market your wares
- Keep your customers coming back for more
- Track cash flow, costs and profits
- Keep your business in business and growing
You have the energy, drive, passion, and smarts to make your small business a huge success. Small Business For Dummies, 3rd Edition, provides the rest.
Rating: 
(out of 27 reviews)
List Price: $ 21.99
Price: $ 9.99
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Review by CryptKicker for The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
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As a new small business owner, I’ve devoured several books written on the topic of starting a business. Most have a few good kernels of knowledge in them somewhere, but none are as consistently helpful as this book.
The author, Tom Gegax, has a great deal of personal experience starting and growing companies, most of which seem to be in the tire industry. If you’re business is not merchandise-based, but service-based, this book is still very pertinent. Topics like vision and values are discussed, as well as some interesting marketing ideas. Adapting the information into a business plan for a Web company was easy and enjoyable.
Be prepared for Mr. Gegax’s very zealous approach to business. It borders on fanatical at times. If you shy away from corporate structures due to their “you must believe” mindset, you’ll flinch a few times while reading, but it’s still excellent counsel.
From a tactile standpoint, this book is great. The binding is well constructed, and the print is slightly large and easy to read.
I cannot recommend this book enough if you’re starting your own business. Double that recommendation if you own your own business and need a shot of inspiration.
I also recommend Joe Kennedy’s Small Business Owner’s Manual available on Amazon.
Review by Maynard Howe, PhD for The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
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The principles set forth in Tom Gegax’s book, The Big Book of Small Business, are sound and if applied to your business will have a significant impact on your bottom line – I know, because I have used them. Where most books on business are heavy on theory, this book provides practical solutions based on real-life experiences – solutions that can be applied to any business – solutions that will result in an immediate payoff. This book is for every leader interested in improving their personal performance and that of their company. It truly is a decision maker’s guide to best practices.
Review by Paul A. Streitz for The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
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Have you ever been stuck on an important issue and did not know where to turn?, did you ever wonder what would an expert do in this situation?, from employee reviews, Strategic Planning, Building your Brand, creating a atmosphere that is positive and fun for everyone to be in, Tom’s book is your reference. This is the book (business bible) I keep closest to me while sitting at my desk. When a little question comes up in my mind what would Tom do? I simply turn you my Business Bible and read the simple outline Tom has created for me and that’s it. In minutes I have an answer. “The Big Book of Small Business” is a must read for all management. I purchased this book for all my team members and we have 30 minute meetings each week and go over a chapter it not only keeps all of us thinking as a team but opens us up to better communication and role playing. Tom I thank you so much for writing this and sharing your experience with us it has made a big difference in the Success at ALSI.
Review by Brian B. Brasch for The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
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If you could take all the best practices of business today and consolidate them into one manual, you would have an invaluable book but it would be about the size of the average American house. I believe “The Big Book for Small Business” by Tom Gegax is the “Cliff Notes” version of these best practices, I found this guide to be extremely valuable as an entrepreneur who owns four businesses and have made it required reading for all my employees.
Since one of my businesses is in an emerging market, I have done the unthinkable. I have sent my competitors CEO’s copies of the book as well because I also believe in what Tom so eloquently stated, “A rising tide raises all boats”. If we as industry can all utilize the advice contained in this book, our industry will grow to its incredible potential.
This is the best business book I have ever read and find myself coming back to it time and time again for strategy and execution ideas. This is 100% meat and zero fluff. My sincere congratulations to the author for delivering a business book masterpiece.
Best Regards,
Brian Brasch, President
Branick Industries Inc.
Review by Donald M. Gullett for The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants
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I was with Tom at Tires Plus for over 25 years. Tom was always a strong advocate for education, and is now sharing this talent with small businesses that seek his help. The Big Book of Small Business is a “must read” for any individual starting a new business or for those who are already involved in one. This book offers a quick business overview and is also an excellent reference tool.
Don Gullett, Co-Founder
Tires Plus
Review by Peter Hupalo for Small Business For Dummies
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“Small Business For Dummies” is a good book to introduce people to the world of small business. The book is filled with solid business advice and information which runs the gamut from managing employees to controlling inventory to building customer relationships. The book starts with a short chapter asking, “Is Small Business For You?” The authors discuss reasons to start a small business and reasons to remain an employee working for someone else. There is a short aptitude test to see if you have the characteristics to be successful as an entrepreneur.Tyson and Schell define a small-business owner as a person who owns a business with 100 or fewer employees. To reduce the risk of starting a business, the authors suggest you consider starting a part-time business. I especially like how “Small Business For Dummies” addresses the issue of risk in starting a small business. When an entrepreneur starts a larger company, the founder might collect $150,000 a year in salary, have a great severance package, and even if the company fails, there probably won’t be any personal stigma for the founder. On the other hand, small business failure is much more painful, carrying not only the stigma of personal failure, but also dire personal financial consequences.The second Chapter, “Laying Your Personal Financial Foundation,” gives new entrepreneurs a quick course in personal finance, Tyson’s specialty. Some entrepreneurs fail to get their personal finances into shape before launching their business. Tyson and Schell point out, the more financially sound you are, and the more fully aware you are of your spending and financial needs, the more likely you are to succeed in business. A common cause of business failure is running out of money while trying to establish your new company. Tyson and Schell suggest building up your cash reserves (or a “war chest”) of about three to six months of living expenses before starting your company. The authors also discuss the importance of disability, health, and term life insurance in protecting yourself and your family.Chapter 3, “Finding Your Niche,” dispels the common myth that your “niche” is the key to success. Tyson and Schell write: “[T]he niche or idea won’t ultimately make or break your business; the day-to-day running of the business itself is what ultimately determines success- or failure. Stated another way, you show us a crackerjack business person, and we’ll show you someone who can get rich in the cookie business whether or not he or she has the foggiest idea how to bake the darn things.”"Small Business For Dummies” gives us the valuable tip that trying to be a low-cost player is likely to lead to failure. Small businesses can’t compete on price. They must compete on quality and service. Tyson and Schell also unveil your most valuable business asset- you. After telling us a short story about Sam Walton (the founder of Wal-Mart) borrowing $1,800 to buy an ice cream machine, Tyson and Schell write: “And so it will be with the rest of us who follow in Sam Walton’s footsteps- we alone will either make our company, or we will break it. Sure, the niche will be important but we will select it. And certainly our employees will be important, but we will choose the people we hire (and the people we fire). And, of course, our products (or services) will be important, but we will have the final word in defining them. Everything that happens within our business will have our own personal stamp on it. Nothing will be outside of our grasp.”One option to creating a company from scratch is buying an existing small business. Small Business For Dummies devotes two excellent chapters to buying a business. The book has an excellent discussion of due diligence and evaluating a business to buy. Some of the suggestions include:~ Examine the business’s tax returns. While many small business owners trying to sell a business will try to overstate earnings and the potential of the business to a potential buyer, the owner will likely try to minimize the profits reported to the IRS to save money in income taxes.~ Talk to key customers, employees, and other companies in the industry. Try to get a feel for the level of ethics and reputation of the company you consider buying. People of low ethics are more likely to try to sell you a bad business for an inflated price and not care about your future success or happiness with the business.~ Consider hiring a business appraiser, so that you have information about the prices for which comparable businesses are selling.~ Get proof showing that all business taxes are fully paid to date. And, make sure that the seller is liable for any existing, undisclosed liabilities. Many people can’t afford to purchase an existing business. How do the cash starved build a company? Bootstrap. The Book points out that one Inc. Magazine survey showed that about 79% of the fast-growing Inc. 500 companies relied upon the founder’s personal savings and 16% relied upon financing from family members for funding. In contrast, only 7% received bank loans, 5% received angel investments, and 3% received venture capital.Tyson and Schell write: “The fact that bootstrapping is so pervasive and works so well makes sense if you think about it. First, what better way to instill discipline and to make things work efficiently that to have a limited supply of funds? Second, because you care deeply about risking your own money or that of family or friends, you have a powerful incentive to work hard and smart at making your business succeed. … Bootstrapping is the unchallenged king of start-up financing.”Small Business For Dummies is worth reading. It is also available at many public libraries.Peter Hupalo, Author of “Thinking Like An Entrepreneur”
Review by for Small Business For Dummies
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First of all, Eric Tyson writes some other great books under the Dummies series, such as “Home Buying for Dummies”. This book, on the other hand, is good as a primer. There are a lot of chapters that aren’t critical to starting a business. Then the chapters that finally do touch at the core of starting a business, only cover the subject with a light, superficial touch. The best part about this book is that they refer you to read other books related to the subject, such as Nolo Press’ “The Small Business Start-up Kit.” If you can borrow “Small Business for Dummies” from a local library or friend, I recommend doing so. You can then save your money on other books that cover the various business start-up subjects in more depth. For example, there are a whole series of Nolo Press books about forming a LLC, corporation or limited partnership. They also have books dedicated to trademark registration, writing business plans, buying commercial insurance, negotiating contracts, financial management, hiring more staff, etc. And by the way, I don’t have anything to do with either company. Just a guy trying to get a head in business.
Review by for Small Business For Dummies
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This is a wonderful book of basic business start-up info. The only thing missing was a section or chapter on how to effectively distinguish yourself and your business from the growing community of entrepreneurs. I combined the info in “dummies” with Marion Gold’s “Personal Publicity Planner: How to Market YOU.” Now that’s a winning combination for small business owners with few dollars to spend on advertising and promotion.
Review by for Small Business For Dummies
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This book helped me tap into resources i never knew about. It helped me with my taxes and gave me tons of helpful hints about how to get started, and how to stay above water. I would recomend this to anyone who is even thinking about going into business themselves.
Review by Mary Chisholm (mary@microridge.com) for Small Business For Dummies
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Even if you don’t have time to read another book, buy this one and keep it in the office for a reference. As a small business owner, that’s what I do. I read the section(s) I need when I have questions about the myriad details of running a small business. Easy to find what you need, quick to read, and it gives you a path to follow! I also know that I’m getting advice from those who have “been there and done that!”