Birthing the Elephant: The Woman's Go-For-It! Guide to Overcoming the Big Challenges of Launching a Business

by Karin Abarbanel, Bruce Freeman, Bobbi Brown (Foreword)

"This positive and practical guide for the first-time entrepreneur details the life cycle of a small-business launch with real-life stories and a slew of helpful hints and strategies."
-Publishers Weekly PW and AARP's Roundup of Spring Books for Baby Boomers, 4/15/08

Customized for the female entrepreneur's unique psychological experience of launching a business, Birthing the Elephant goes beyond logistics to prepare women for the emotional challenges they will face, with expert advice on reshaping one's business identity, giving up the paycheck mentality, anticipating problems, and avoiding costly mistakes. This supportive handbook gives the small-business owner the staying power to survive and succeed in the business of her dreams.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Womens, Entrepreneurship

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Emily Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed that this book spent so much time and effort on a few select themes. Sure, we know that starting a business requires personal sacrifice--the authors didn't have to keep going back to this point. Overall, I found some useful information in this text, but it was probably 50 pages too long.

[Sofia Rios · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good at the beginning but I felt like it kept repeating itself throughout the whole book. At least I learned a few things.

[Shantiwallah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm about halfway through this book and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. So much of what is out there for freelancers/small business starters/location independents is snake oil. In other words, books about these subjects are being sold to further the profits that the writer, but are mostly just a bunch of feel-good quotes rather than actual useful information. I picked up this book in Borders Auckland and I thought it was just another one of those previously described. Since books in New Zealand are so overpriced I just put it back down without a thought. But then, two weeks ago I picked it up again on a $5 sale table thinking, well, it might have SOMEthing in it.

So far the most valuable part has been where she describes the stages you go through when starting a new venture. Not 'how you do it' stages, but how you will feel. A year and a half out of my teaching career (and therefore a year and a half into my freelance writing career) I was surprised at how accurate her stage descriptions are. If I finish the book and it does nothing else for me (although I think it will be good), the idea that what I am feeling at each stage of my freelance career is normal has been really great for me. Basically this book is helping me feel re-energised about what I am doing and I'd recommend it to any women starting a new business.

[Kyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've launched CoachKyna, which we started in '08. The great thing about this book is that it reminds me of all that I went through in 1997 when I launched my private practice as a professional counselor...all ON MY OWN! I didn't have anyone to tell me what I was doing was normal or right or wrong. I felt very alone. This book reminds me of how it felt so that this time around in launching this portion of my business (which feels like a new business all on it's own) I feel like I have some support!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for any woman new to the entrepreneurial scene. This book will help set your mind at ease about all those start-up jitters (tremors), sleepless nights (night sweats/panic attacks), and bumps (roller coasters of emotion) experienced during the first 22 months in business. Just go for it!

[Heather Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring look at what to expect when expecting.......to launch a new business.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to start a business, with women in mind. This book covers the emotions you might go through at each stage of building a business. Helpful.