What do you think?
Rate this book
Regulile Marthei: 10 reguli esenţiale pentru atingerea succesului atunci când începeţi, construiţi sau administraţi o afacere
Regulile Marthei sintetizează drumul parcurs de Martha Stewart de la o mică afacere cu o firmă de catering la un imperiu media care a transformat-o în unul dintre cei mai prosperi oameni de afaceri din Statele Unite ale Americii.
Pornind de la experienţa proprie, Martha propune zece reguli esenţiale pentru succes, de la descoperirea activităţilor preferate şi găsirea ideii care ne inspiră, atât pe noi, cât şi pe clienţii noştri, până la analizarea diferenţei dintre un risc pe care merită să ţi-l asumi şi unul bazat pe noroc orb. Regulile Marthei sunt destinate să ne ajute să ne identificăm propriile instincte antreprenoriale şi aptitudinile necesare pentru a demara sau a consolida o afacere proprie.
Regulile Marthei este o carte despre perseverenţă, despre construirea rela-ţiilor în afaceri, despre management şi urmarea idealurilor, despre munca din pasiune şi pasiunea de a munci, o carte despre cum poţi să transformi un vis în realitate.
Pornind de la experienţa proprie, Martha propune zece reguli esenţiale pentru succes, de la descoperirea activităţilor preferate şi găsirea ideii care ne inspiră, atât pe noi, cât şi pe clienţii noştri, până la analizarea diferenţei dintre un risc pe care merită să ţi-l asumi şi unul bazat pe noroc orb. Regulile Marthei sunt destinate să ne ajute să ne identificăm propriile instincte antreprenoriale şi aptitudinile necesare pentru a demara sau a consolida o afacere proprie.
Regulile Marthei este o carte despre perseverenţă, despre construirea rela-ţiilor în afaceri, despre management şi urmarea idealurilor, despre munca din pasiune şi pasiunea de a munci, o carte despre cum poţi să transformi un vis în realitate.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2007
105 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Martha Stewart
456 books572 followersMartha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
November 2, 2011
Rule 1
Build your Business success around something that you love- Something that is inherently and endlessly interesting to you.
• Analyze your own interests, strengths weakness and desires. Research in a serious way the job field which you believe you might want to work.
• Do not confuse enthusiasm for passion.
Rule 2
Focus your attention and creativity on basic things, things that people need and want, then look for ways to enlarge, improve and enhance your BIG IDEA.
• Begin to focus on a goal, then slowly moving on to thinking big.
• Always find out what the world needs and then proceed to deliver that product.
• Ideas are good, the more the better. With each idea, discuss the merits and in the end more fabulous ideas will result.
• Different is not always better, most important thing is VALUE-ADD.
• Bake the cake that people most want to eat.
• Questions to ask ourselves?
1. Is your idea better than alternatives on the market?
2. Is your idea simple to develop and simple for customers to understand?
3. Are you in a geographic location where your idea will work?
4. Is your idea affordable?
5. Is your idea too big?
6. Can you expand and extend your idea?
7. Does your idea make the world better?
I think these are good check list for us and that we should/MUST always consider customers first. If we cannot convince ourselves to buy our shirt then is hard to convince strangers to buy it. So I expect our shirt to be scrutinized. We can only sell the shirt if all of us are happy with it.
Rules 3
Create a business plan that allows you to stay true to your big idea but helps you focus on the details. Then remain flexible enough to zoom in or out on the vital aspects of your enterprise as your business grows.
• First, you need a long term plan for how you are going to get from where you are to where you want to be. (Telescope)
• Next, evaluate the board landscape in which your business will operate – your competition, larger social and economic trends, and issues related to suppliers and manufacturing that you must contend with but that you cannot always control. (Wide-angle lens)
• Finally you must bore down to finest details and force yourself to deeply understand the mechanics and nuances (meaning) of your business. (Microscope)
• Vision statement should be a clear, concise description of exactly what you intend to offer to your customers emphasizing the special qualities you can bring to this business,
• Do not hesitate to ask for help.
• Take time to save money.
• Never underestimate startup costs.
• Consider the risks.
• Create a frugal culture.
• Be willing to adjust your focus.
Rules 4
By sharing your knowledge about your product or service with your customers, you create a deep connection that will help you learn how best to build and manage your business.
• Extend the connections with customer by providing them with a different and personal experience.
• Surveys are important so that we can receive feedback on our t-shirts quality, etc as customers are our best consultants
• Customer service is IMPORTANT to show the customers that WE CARE.
• See beyond the initial transaction.
• Appeal to customers’ wants and needs.
All in all customers are the KING, and like what the Brand Sense book mentioned, customer service are important to retaining customer and that when we are making the shirt, we must always look from their point of view and not ours.
Rules 5
Use smart, cost-effective promotional techniques that will arrest the eye, tug at the heart, and convey what is unique and special about your business or service.
• Package it right. When introducing our products to the world, we need to think of how to make it presentable. Good packaging arrests the eye, attracts the heart and perfectly suits the product being promoted.
• Positioning out products? (What our target group)
• Tell your story well and be consistent.
Rules 6
Quality should be placed at the top of your list of priorities, and it should remain there. Quality is something you should strive for in every decision, every day.
• Quality must be part of your Big Idea.
• Quality is not just about product development.
• Invest in your reputation.
Rules 7
Seek out and hire employees who are brimming with talent, energy, integrity, optimism, and generosity. Search for advisors and partners who complement your skills and understand your ideals.
• Have constructive criticism.
• Quote from book “We are long past the days when the goal of a business was to provide what used to be called lifetime employment. It is absolutely imperative to impress that philosophy upon your employees from day one. The message should be: We are a growing, learning, and vibrant organization, We invite you to grow and learn with us, but we will always organize our business around the people we believe are necessary to accomplish our next goal. We dream of creating perfect teams and keeping everyone happy forever, but that is not likely to happen, At least we will all be as honest and open with each other as we possibly can so that there are no surprises.”
Rules 8
When faced with a business challenge, evaluate or assess the situation, gather the good things in sight, abandon the bad, clear your mind, and move on. Focus on the positive. Stay in control and never panic.
• Detours are part of the journey.
• It is okay to overreact, but never panic.
• Take time to assess.
• Figure out what to cut and what to keep
Rules 9
In business, there’s a difference between a risk and a chance. A well-calculated risk may very well end up as an investment in your business. A careless chance can cause it to crumble. And when an opportunity presents itself, never assume it will be your last.
• Analyze everyday risk.
• That “opportunity of a lifetime will not be your last”.
She trying to say that research is important and with proper research, the business venture will become a well-calculated risk
Rules 10
Make it Beautiful. Listen intently, learn new things every day, be willing to innovate and become an authority your customers will trust. As an entrepreneur, you will find great joy and satisfaction in making your customers’ lives easier, more meaningful, and more beautiful.
• The best way to be organized and productive is to follow a list.
• No matter what your BIG IDEA may be, no matter what you feel passionate about, no matter what business you are in or about to enter, remember to make it beautiful!
Build your Business success around something that you love- Something that is inherently and endlessly interesting to you.
• Analyze your own interests, strengths weakness and desires. Research in a serious way the job field which you believe you might want to work.
• Do not confuse enthusiasm for passion.
Rule 2
Focus your attention and creativity on basic things, things that people need and want, then look for ways to enlarge, improve and enhance your BIG IDEA.
• Begin to focus on a goal, then slowly moving on to thinking big.
• Always find out what the world needs and then proceed to deliver that product.
• Ideas are good, the more the better. With each idea, discuss the merits and in the end more fabulous ideas will result.
• Different is not always better, most important thing is VALUE-ADD.
• Bake the cake that people most want to eat.
• Questions to ask ourselves?
1. Is your idea better than alternatives on the market?
2. Is your idea simple to develop and simple for customers to understand?
3. Are you in a geographic location where your idea will work?
4. Is your idea affordable?
5. Is your idea too big?
6. Can you expand and extend your idea?
7. Does your idea make the world better?
I think these are good check list for us and that we should/MUST always consider customers first. If we cannot convince ourselves to buy our shirt then is hard to convince strangers to buy it. So I expect our shirt to be scrutinized. We can only sell the shirt if all of us are happy with it.
Rules 3
Create a business plan that allows you to stay true to your big idea but helps you focus on the details. Then remain flexible enough to zoom in or out on the vital aspects of your enterprise as your business grows.
• First, you need a long term plan for how you are going to get from where you are to where you want to be. (Telescope)
• Next, evaluate the board landscape in which your business will operate – your competition, larger social and economic trends, and issues related to suppliers and manufacturing that you must contend with but that you cannot always control. (Wide-angle lens)
• Finally you must bore down to finest details and force yourself to deeply understand the mechanics and nuances (meaning) of your business. (Microscope)
• Vision statement should be a clear, concise description of exactly what you intend to offer to your customers emphasizing the special qualities you can bring to this business,
• Do not hesitate to ask for help.
• Take time to save money.
• Never underestimate startup costs.
• Consider the risks.
• Create a frugal culture.
• Be willing to adjust your focus.
Rules 4
By sharing your knowledge about your product or service with your customers, you create a deep connection that will help you learn how best to build and manage your business.
• Extend the connections with customer by providing them with a different and personal experience.
• Surveys are important so that we can receive feedback on our t-shirts quality, etc as customers are our best consultants
• Customer service is IMPORTANT to show the customers that WE CARE.
• See beyond the initial transaction.
• Appeal to customers’ wants and needs.
All in all customers are the KING, and like what the Brand Sense book mentioned, customer service are important to retaining customer and that when we are making the shirt, we must always look from their point of view and not ours.
Rules 5
Use smart, cost-effective promotional techniques that will arrest the eye, tug at the heart, and convey what is unique and special about your business or service.
• Package it right. When introducing our products to the world, we need to think of how to make it presentable. Good packaging arrests the eye, attracts the heart and perfectly suits the product being promoted.
• Positioning out products? (What our target group)
• Tell your story well and be consistent.
Rules 6
Quality should be placed at the top of your list of priorities, and it should remain there. Quality is something you should strive for in every decision, every day.
• Quality must be part of your Big Idea.
• Quality is not just about product development.
• Invest in your reputation.
Rules 7
Seek out and hire employees who are brimming with talent, energy, integrity, optimism, and generosity. Search for advisors and partners who complement your skills and understand your ideals.
• Have constructive criticism.
• Quote from book “We are long past the days when the goal of a business was to provide what used to be called lifetime employment. It is absolutely imperative to impress that philosophy upon your employees from day one. The message should be: We are a growing, learning, and vibrant organization, We invite you to grow and learn with us, but we will always organize our business around the people we believe are necessary to accomplish our next goal. We dream of creating perfect teams and keeping everyone happy forever, but that is not likely to happen, At least we will all be as honest and open with each other as we possibly can so that there are no surprises.”
Rules 8
When faced with a business challenge, evaluate or assess the situation, gather the good things in sight, abandon the bad, clear your mind, and move on. Focus on the positive. Stay in control and never panic.
• Detours are part of the journey.
• It is okay to overreact, but never panic.
• Take time to assess.
• Figure out what to cut and what to keep
Rules 9
In business, there’s a difference between a risk and a chance. A well-calculated risk may very well end up as an investment in your business. A careless chance can cause it to crumble. And when an opportunity presents itself, never assume it will be your last.
• Analyze everyday risk.
• That “opportunity of a lifetime will not be your last”.
She trying to say that research is important and with proper research, the business venture will become a well-calculated risk
Rules 10
Make it Beautiful. Listen intently, learn new things every day, be willing to innovate and become an authority your customers will trust. As an entrepreneur, you will find great joy and satisfaction in making your customers’ lives easier, more meaningful, and more beautiful.
• The best way to be organized and productive is to follow a list.
• No matter what your BIG IDEA may be, no matter what you feel passionate about, no matter what business you are in or about to enter, remember to make it beautiful!
September 10, 2013
I first heard about her book from the popular lifestyle blog, A Beautiful Mess. Those ladies impress me with their creativity and business savvy. If they found Martha's book helpful, so could I. For years, I have longed to start my own business. Until reading this book, I hadn't been able to land on something that felt right.
I see now why finding my business idea had eluded me for so long: I hadn't been able to value my own interests properly. Martha never belittles what she does or thinks of it as pointless or frivolous. Rather, she waxes poetic about spreading her "good things" message. She believes wholeheartedly that her work is important. Reading a respected figure never once apologize for her passion allowed me to believe there was value in the interests I had quietly nursed along since childhood. I had wanted to do something important. Her confidence freed me up to see that what I loved was important. Valuing that interest then let me think about it in a new light. And then I had an idea for a business that really excited me. Light-bulb moment.
My favorite part of the book is the beginning, when Martha explains her background. It's encouraging to see how she kept looking for what felt right. She was a child model, then became a stock broker after university. She switched into real estate but quit before she had sold her first house. She then started a catering company, having taught herself to cook from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French cooking. And after seven years of catering parties and events, she had the idea for a comprehensive photo book on entertaining, which is what launched her into the role of domestic guru.
What strikes me about her beginnings are how long she spent running a catering company before she branched out. She pushed herself to learn the catering business completely. Once she felt she had outgrown it, she took that know-how to propel herself into what she saw as a gap in the market.
The rest of the book is helpful, though I didn't necessarily find it revolutionary. (I also have a background in marketing and business.) It's always good to remind yourself of these things though and also to hear about them from someone who's had success.
I warn that Martha writes with a confident-bordering-on-smug tone. I realize Martha Stewart is a polarizing figure for many; I've always felt neutral about her so was able to look past the smugness. Additionally, some examples felt outdated and many glamorized.
The high rating is an especially personal choice. It was an important book... for me. Not everyone is going to find it as revolutionary.
How much you enjoy it will also depend on:
- Your tolerance of Martha Stewart's tone
- The stage you're at in starting a creatively-minded business
- How much you already know about running a business
If you're looking for inspiration and/or practical ideas, definitely read the beginning. The rest is worth a skim... and a deeper read if you're light on business practicalities.
I see now why finding my business idea had eluded me for so long: I hadn't been able to value my own interests properly. Martha never belittles what she does or thinks of it as pointless or frivolous. Rather, she waxes poetic about spreading her "good things" message. She believes wholeheartedly that her work is important. Reading a respected figure never once apologize for her passion allowed me to believe there was value in the interests I had quietly nursed along since childhood. I had wanted to do something important. Her confidence freed me up to see that what I loved was important. Valuing that interest then let me think about it in a new light. And then I had an idea for a business that really excited me. Light-bulb moment.
My favorite part of the book is the beginning, when Martha explains her background. It's encouraging to see how she kept looking for what felt right. She was a child model, then became a stock broker after university. She switched into real estate but quit before she had sold her first house. She then started a catering company, having taught herself to cook from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French cooking. And after seven years of catering parties and events, she had the idea for a comprehensive photo book on entertaining, which is what launched her into the role of domestic guru.
What strikes me about her beginnings are how long she spent running a catering company before she branched out. She pushed herself to learn the catering business completely. Once she felt she had outgrown it, she took that know-how to propel herself into what she saw as a gap in the market.
The rest of the book is helpful, though I didn't necessarily find it revolutionary. (I also have a background in marketing and business.) It's always good to remind yourself of these things though and also to hear about them from someone who's had success.
I warn that Martha writes with a confident-bordering-on-smug tone. I realize Martha Stewart is a polarizing figure for many; I've always felt neutral about her so was able to look past the smugness. Additionally, some examples felt outdated and many glamorized.
The high rating is an especially personal choice. It was an important book... for me. Not everyone is going to find it as revolutionary.
How much you enjoy it will also depend on:
- Your tolerance of Martha Stewart's tone
- The stage you're at in starting a creatively-minded business
- How much you already know about running a business
If you're looking for inspiration and/or practical ideas, definitely read the beginning. The rest is worth a skim... and a deeper read if you're light on business practicalities.
May 21, 2018
This was a quick and enjoyable read. It's not for everyone--if you have an MBA, and are already running a successful organization, you should pass (unless you're really into Martha).
I have a vague interest in business, and I really enjoy Martha Stewart, so I had fun with this. She doles out advice in her typical Martha manner, and along the way she peppers her advice with anecdotes from her childhood, staff (current and former), entrepreneurs she admires, and yes, from her time in the clink.
As I read through, I noted that while I was enjoying myself, this didn't feel like the Martha I knew. She was too warm, too soft, and too sweet. Then I got to the chapter on hiring and working with employees. Martha's "cut your losses early and often" philosophy addresses why I both fear and respect her. She's not into coddling and giving second chances. If someone's not a good fit--out they go!
What I really love with this book is that everything is good, solid advice. There's none of that "get fabulously wealthy overnight with this one weird trick" nonsense. She talks about the importance of hard work over time, accompanied with slow, managed growth. Given that she's successfully adapted (an alliance with Snoop Dogg!) and expanded her empire (four new lines at QVC), she seems to walk her talk!
I have a vague interest in business, and I really enjoy Martha Stewart, so I had fun with this. She doles out advice in her typical Martha manner, and along the way she peppers her advice with anecdotes from her childhood, staff (current and former), entrepreneurs she admires, and yes, from her time in the clink.
As I read through, I noted that while I was enjoying myself, this didn't feel like the Martha I knew. She was too warm, too soft, and too sweet. Then I got to the chapter on hiring and working with employees. Martha's "cut your losses early and often" philosophy addresses why I both fear and respect her. She's not into coddling and giving second chances. If someone's not a good fit--out they go!
What I really love with this book is that everything is good, solid advice. There's none of that "get fabulously wealthy overnight with this one weird trick" nonsense. She talks about the importance of hard work over time, accompanied with slow, managed growth. Given that she's successfully adapted (an alliance with Snoop Dogg!) and expanded her empire (four new lines at QVC), she seems to walk her talk!
February 22, 2011
Never thought I'd see the day I picked this book up, but hey-if you want to learn about world domination, why waste time on anyone other than a media maven of epic caliber? Sometimes I feel a bit freakish about having high standards, but Martha put those feelings aside for a "here's where that can take you in business" approach. And in a rarely seen move, she shares her methods for keeping her cool and improvising when things don't go as anticipated. Great stuff, all in all. I have a new appreciation for how personal history and professional pedigree can go hand in hand to a build a media empire.
March 12, 2013
I'm not a huge Martha Stewart fan and picked this book up more for her advice / ideas but it definitely helped me gain some new respect for her. It's easy to read yet still helps you think critically about your new business. The thing that kept this review from 5 stars is her name dropping and product placement. Between THAT junk though there is a lot of sound advice in this book. I especially loved the chapters that went over creating your vision statement and taking risks, NOT chances!! An incredibly motivating and quick read, I recommend this book to wannabe entrepreneurs in every field!
June 25, 2008
Hands down, the BEST business book that I have ever read (and I've read quite a few). This one is an easy read, the advice is practical and very easy to apply to any venture and doesn't make you feel dumb for not having already figured this stuff out. I would highly recommend this book for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit.
March 14, 2019
The Martha Rules, Martha Stewart's autobiographical guidebook for running a business, spews resilience. In spite of her well-known legal setback, her company continues to dominate the homemaking market. Her products can be found in Kmart, Macy's, Trader Joe's, online catalogs, and trade shows; such mass market appeal has in no way besmirched Martha's top-quality design brand. This, my first foray into the mind of a modern heroine was a welcome source of respect for "the other sex". As inspiring as other success stories whose unparalleled work warrant writing about, Martha's inhuman coming up is one for the ages.
Her story includes:
1. having started as a part-time brand ambassador through college to
2. spilling her guts out as stockbroker, real estate broker,
3. eventually running the most successful catering business imaginable, hosting international parties before writing her own book, and guest speaking on Entertaining, and
4. creating a $638 million dollar homemaking omnimedia company.
Contemplating her outstanding success in all things homemaking, the time I spent reading The Martha Rules forced me to acknowledge the power of a well-organized, cost-cutting, no buts, type A female entrepreneur.
I even met a fellow Martha admirer - the entrepreneur and owner of Little Monsters boutique for kids - while reading today. She dressed just like Martha does on her talk show and even spoke like her. The boutique clearly valued the customer and was created with the customer experience in mind. Decked out with a fort play pen, the store featured wall-to-wall imaginative toys and clothing sets of the highest quality. Little Monsters' owner spoke her story with such truth that her customers shared the same story about the company.
Her story includes:
1. having started as a part-time brand ambassador through college to
2. spilling her guts out as stockbroker, real estate broker,
3. eventually running the most successful catering business imaginable, hosting international parties before writing her own book, and guest speaking on Entertaining, and
4. creating a $638 million dollar homemaking omnimedia company.
Contemplating her outstanding success in all things homemaking, the time I spent reading The Martha Rules forced me to acknowledge the power of a well-organized, cost-cutting, no buts, type A female entrepreneur.
I even met a fellow Martha admirer - the entrepreneur and owner of Little Monsters boutique for kids - while reading today. She dressed just like Martha does on her talk show and even spoke like her. The boutique clearly valued the customer and was created with the customer experience in mind. Decked out with a fort play pen, the store featured wall-to-wall imaginative toys and clothing sets of the highest quality. Little Monsters' owner spoke her story with such truth that her customers shared the same story about the company.
July 2, 2020
Watch my full video review here: https://youtu.be/UnWBTA0S8gw
On the last Monday of every month, my book review will highlight a female founder or business owner. Most of these women started a company from their homes with less than $10,000.
The July Female Founder book review is The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build, or Manage a Business by Martha Stewart. I am fascinated by Martha Stewart - her life, her drive, her ability to function without sleep. Her business prowess and the growth of her business over time is amazing. She wrote this book after her incarceration and shared some of what she learned from the other women who she met in prison. The book details 10 rules of things you need to grow a business, and I was inspired to find out that many of them were things I was already doing. I share a few of my favorite rules on the video - don’t miss them!
On the last Monday of every month, my book review will highlight a female founder or business owner. Most of these women started a company from their homes with less than $10,000.
The July Female Founder book review is The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build, or Manage a Business by Martha Stewart. I am fascinated by Martha Stewart - her life, her drive, her ability to function without sleep. Her business prowess and the growth of her business over time is amazing. She wrote this book after her incarceration and shared some of what she learned from the other women who she met in prison. The book details 10 rules of things you need to grow a business, and I was inspired to find out that many of them were things I was already doing. I share a few of my favorite rules on the video - don’t miss them!
June 22, 2018
Good book where Martha shares rules she has learned in business, and gives examples from her experience, and other people’s. It’s a good book to read if you are thinking of opening your own business. She discusses her trial and her time in jail some, and how it impacted her and her business.
Takeaways: when thinking of opening a business watch out for your blind spots. Choose quality in everything every day and you’ll have a quality life. You determine quality by comparison.
Takeaways: when thinking of opening a business watch out for your blind spots. Choose quality in everything every day and you’ll have a quality life. You determine quality by comparison.
April 5, 2025
An obvious classic from a true legend 🙂↕️🙏🏻🧙🏻♂️
July 14, 2025
The amount of times she mentioned P. Diddy👀👀 I felt like a lot of this book was her just saying that she was god‘s gift to the world.😂😂 but it was a nice easy read!
December 6, 2017
This is a great book for anyone starting, building or managing a business. Martha Stewart gives some important advice, peppered with anecdotes gleaned from her experience as a very successful businesswoman.
I absolutely love the way she is positive about everything, even her past incarceration. She finds an optimistic way to look at even negative events - learning from each experience and rising from the worst events as an even stronger entity.
Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out on your journey, you need to read this book and soak in all of the wisdom it contains.
I absolutely love the way she is positive about everything, even her past incarceration. She finds an optimistic way to look at even negative events - learning from each experience and rising from the worst events as an even stronger entity.
Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out on your journey, you need to read this book and soak in all of the wisdom it contains.
September 23, 2018
I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to Martha Stewart. But no doubt, she is crazy smart and has built her own little empire. She surrounds herself with people who impress and she raises some great questions when it comes to people and business. This book felt a little dated, but I enjoyed listening to her personal experiences. She has an incredible knack for seeing an opportunity and stepping right into it.
July 19, 2011
Inspiring & informative. I plan to add this book to my business library. Great to read a woman's perspective in this genre- especially when that woman is freaking Martha Stewart!
January 29, 2013
One of the best business books I have read in a long while. I would suggest this book to women who want to start a business. Lots of useful info for everyone though. Employee or business owner.
July 17, 2020
I was so impressed with this book, I gave a copy to my daughter.
January 5, 2021
This was a very interesting and thought-provoking book. One of those rare business books that, while designed for established and aspiring entrepreneurs, also draws clear applicability to managers and employees. The Martha Rules have value to anyone seeking success at any level of business.
In this volume, Martha Stewart structures her entrepreneurial advice around 10 essential rules for business success.
1. What's Passion Got to Do With It?
2. What's the Big Idea?
3. Get a Telescope, a Wide Angle Lens, and a Microscope
4. Teach So You Can Learn
5. All Dressed Up and Ready to Grow
6. Quality is Everyday
7. Build an A-Team
8. So the Pie Isn't Perfect? Cut It Into Wedges
9. Take Risks, Not Chances
10. Make it Beautiful
Each rule is highlighted in its own chapter, in which Martha does a deeper dive into the origins of the rule with lessons and tactics from her own life and business ups and downs, as well as examples from other high-profile entrepreneurs and creatives.
This is a great book for novice entrepreneurs, or folks still in the dreamy idea stage of entrepreneurship. There is almost no business jargon or legal speak. This is a wide-angle lens, as Martha would put it, to help you begin to tackle the considerations of running a successful business. MBA candidates, or individuals already steeped in entrepreneurship and seeing business success, may not find much new or earthshattering here in terms of business advice. Although, even that is true to Martha Stewart's brand; common sense "Good Things" organized and packaged beautifully, and a testament to the value of The Martha Rules.
I'm not exactly a Martha Stewart fangirl, but her successes and the endurance of her brand in the face of challenges minor and major over the years is undeniable. She definitely has something to teach anyone in business.
In this volume, Martha Stewart structures her entrepreneurial advice around 10 essential rules for business success.
1. What's Passion Got to Do With It?
2. What's the Big Idea?
3. Get a Telescope, a Wide Angle Lens, and a Microscope
4. Teach So You Can Learn
5. All Dressed Up and Ready to Grow
6. Quality is Everyday
7. Build an A-Team
8. So the Pie Isn't Perfect? Cut It Into Wedges
9. Take Risks, Not Chances
10. Make it Beautiful
Each rule is highlighted in its own chapter, in which Martha does a deeper dive into the origins of the rule with lessons and tactics from her own life and business ups and downs, as well as examples from other high-profile entrepreneurs and creatives.
This is a great book for novice entrepreneurs, or folks still in the dreamy idea stage of entrepreneurship. There is almost no business jargon or legal speak. This is a wide-angle lens, as Martha would put it, to help you begin to tackle the considerations of running a successful business. MBA candidates, or individuals already steeped in entrepreneurship and seeing business success, may not find much new or earthshattering here in terms of business advice. Although, even that is true to Martha Stewart's brand; common sense "Good Things" organized and packaged beautifully, and a testament to the value of The Martha Rules.
I'm not exactly a Martha Stewart fangirl, but her successes and the endurance of her brand in the face of challenges minor and major over the years is undeniable. She definitely has something to teach anyone in business.
June 9, 2017
What a fascinating book.
"Who the hell was this written for?" I kept asking as I read. Supposedly Martha came up with the idea for this while in prison, inspired by the number of inmates who wished to start their own businesses but didn't know how, but I don't really believe that. The advice is all so broad and basic-- platitudes for budding so-called entrepreneurs. There was lots of embedded, not-so-subtle talk-up of the brand-- which makes sense, and which on the surface makes it seem like this was the book's purpose.
But I don't really feel like it is an effective cross-marketing tool, either, particularly given the whole non-audience thing, and I don't actually think that any of that was why this book was written. Really, it seems more to be written by Martha for Martha herself, as if coming out of prison she felt like she had something to prove. Martha's long fallen from that high perch on which she once sat atop popular and media culture (which, side-note, is why I have so recently come to find her interesting), and the fall really began here, circa the scandal years. With the perspective of a decade-plus, it makes the whole exercise bizarrely endearing and yes, fascinating (that, and the mention of things like her continually strong partnership with "retail giant" Kmart and her upcoming spinoff of her "friend" Donald Trump's TV show The Apprentice).
"Who the hell was this written for?" I kept asking as I read. Supposedly Martha came up with the idea for this while in prison, inspired by the number of inmates who wished to start their own businesses but didn't know how, but I don't really believe that. The advice is all so broad and basic-- platitudes for budding so-called entrepreneurs. There was lots of embedded, not-so-subtle talk-up of the brand-- which makes sense, and which on the surface makes it seem like this was the book's purpose.
But I don't really feel like it is an effective cross-marketing tool, either, particularly given the whole non-audience thing, and I don't actually think that any of that was why this book was written. Really, it seems more to be written by Martha for Martha herself, as if coming out of prison she felt like she had something to prove. Martha's long fallen from that high perch on which she once sat atop popular and media culture (which, side-note, is why I have so recently come to find her interesting), and the fall really began here, circa the scandal years. With the perspective of a decade-plus, it makes the whole exercise bizarrely endearing and yes, fascinating (that, and the mention of things like her continually strong partnership with "retail giant" Kmart and her upcoming spinoff of her "friend" Donald Trump's TV show The Apprentice).
February 14, 2020
Excellent read. Martha gives a wealth of wisdom and experience from her many successful business ventures. A must read for anyone thinking about starting a business, or already running a business.
Despite her personal trials and financial setbacks Martha has managed to overcome her obstacles with grit and perseverance. She sets an example to everyone, that despite what others think of you, if you have a mindset to win you will eventually win.
Obstacles and failures are learning experiences, and with the right mindset you can turn a perceived failure into an opportunity. Martha has done this numerous times; which is why I personally have a tremendous amount of respect for her.
Despite her personal trials and financial setbacks Martha has managed to overcome her obstacles with grit and perseverance. She sets an example to everyone, that despite what others think of you, if you have a mindset to win you will eventually win.
Obstacles and failures are learning experiences, and with the right mindset you can turn a perceived failure into an opportunity. Martha has done this numerous times; which is why I personally have a tremendous amount of respect for her.
March 28, 2018
None of Martha's Rules are very original, but she has a lot of interesting anecdotes about her business and other people she's worked with. The stories made the book more interesting, and she has a couple of useful analogies. If you're looking for different or nonstandard rules, this isn't a good book for you; but if you're interested in how she built her various businesses I think you would enjoy it.
May 15, 2017
Has some solid advice for starting your own business. Plus lots of inside information on Martha's company (which is much bigger than you might think.) Although a lot of the information is for someone in a urban environment, it could apply to anyone thinking about starting a business. Especially good for someone in the planning/ just thinking about it stages.
April 20, 2018
TY @MS_Living @MarthaStewart for this #book >> https://www.amazon.com/Martha-Rules-E... >> and all your *EXCELLENT* #rules!
#1? When you are through changing...you. are. THROUGH! #CantStopWontStop #hustle #freelancefriday #freelancer #BusinessWoman
#1? When you are through changing...you. are. THROUGH! #CantStopWontStop #hustle #freelancefriday #freelancer #BusinessWoman
August 14, 2020
This is a great read...or listen (I had the audiobook version so listened to it in the car). It was packed with excellent lessons, interesting stories, apt examples, and sage advice to improve your business and make it successful. Would strongly recommend for entrepreneurs and business owners. Well done!
October 21, 2020
Although an interesting read, Stewart has a rather formal, stilted way of writing which was kind of odd. Overall, I liked it, and would give it about 3 1/2 stars ... but I rounded up.
If you are a budding entrepreneur, this is an interesting (but definitely not required) book to check out. Otherwise, it's mostly irrelevant to you (unless you are really interested in Stewart).
If you are a budding entrepreneur, this is an interesting (but definitely not required) book to check out. Otherwise, it's mostly irrelevant to you (unless you are really interested in Stewart).
May 22, 2017
I purchased this book hoping to hear about Martha's business and life (thinking it was a biography), instead this book was a basic business 101 read for a high school students or inexperienced people who know nothing about business. Bummer.
November 5, 2019
This is such a great book and I admire this woman tremendously. It is very inspiring to know how determined she is for not only success, but productivity, staying focused and building her empire and her well thought out processes for running a business. Kudos to Martha Stewart!
February 24, 2021
It's a very outdated book, but still contains a lot of valuable lessons in it to learn from. The reason for my 3 star rating was due to her support of breeding and selling animals, which I am definitely not a fan of.
December 31, 2022
Great business book about how Martha Stewart created her business and the lessons she has learnt and wants to share with others.
I do find "Rules" a bit of a harsh word so I'll take that as Martha's Advice instead.
I do find "Rules" a bit of a harsh word so I'll take that as Martha's Advice instead.
April 5, 2024
I picked this up after watching Stewart’s Masterclass. While it was published in 2005 there are still some great (and inspiring!) sections in this book. I’d love for it to be updated because she has seamlessly moved into podcasting and social media in recent years.
May 22, 2017
I hope a second edition is considered since much changed after the book was written in 2006.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews