The Accidental Entrepreneur: The 50 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Starting a Business

by Susan Urquhart-Brown

A successful entrepreneur reveals how to reap the unlimited rewards of being one's own boss.

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Like many business owners, Susan Urquhart-Brown never expected to end up as an entrepreneur. In 1995 at age 50, Susan launched her business, Career Steps123, because it spoke to her passion in helping people choose a career or business that truly suits them. She quickly realized there was a lot more to having a thriving business than hanging out a shingle and waiting for the phone to ring. Susan wrote The Accidental Entrepreneur: 50 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Starting a Business to offer an invaluable edge and guidance to those who are just beginning to consider starting a venture as well as those who want to take their business to the next level.

From 1998 to 2001, Susan wrote "Going Solo" for The San Francisco Chronicle, an advice column for entrepreneurs. Susan has 20 years experience in career consulting, business coaching, marketing, and speaking, and has an M.A. in Education from College of Notre Dame, Belmont, California and a Post- Graduate Certificate in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California. Susan has been an adjunct instructor at Santa Clara University, University of California Berkeley Extension, and John F. Kennedy University.

Susan is also on the Board of Directors for Global Partners for Development, a non profit, non governmental organization that works in the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with projects that have included development of clean water sources, child nutrition, medical and health care, primary and vocational education, and women's economic self-reliance. Their mission is "Ending Poverty through the Power of Partnerships". Since Susan's visit to Tanzania, The Accidental Entrepreneur has been shared and passed among the women in various fledgling businesses in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Through her work as a coach and this book, Susan's personal mission is to inspire people all over the world who want to make a difference. It is Susan's belief that when people love their work and share their expertise, they spread happiness and good will throughout the world since we are living in a global marketplace today. What happens one place is felt everywhere around the world.

from http://www.careersteps123.com/about.html

Reviews

[Eileen]

For the most part, I'm looking to books like this to get a practical idea of how to start and run a business (which is what I'm doing lately; hi!). When I think about being an "accidental entrepreneur," I think about discovering that 1. you already have a viable product/service and 2. you're capable of doing this new job and living off it. I expect that the desire to act on your business idea is already there, but the practical actions and methods are not. I therefore need and expect to hear more about the methods than the desire. Here, the info covers "motivational and organizational ideas" (complete with a lone meditation exercise plumped unexpectedly into the middle) much more than practical pieces like "tax law" or "compliance." Ok. If that's what you're looking for, it's not a bad book. It's just not really what I was expecting.

[Larry Brummond]

A good honest look at myths of owning your own business such as "I’ll have more free time and flexible work hours." Solid advice about how to make partnerships work.

[Sylvia]

Very little meat. A few good ideas were expressed but nothing you can’t get from a blog post. Published in 2008 so missing a lot of key marketing strategies of today.

[Arlene Vinion-Dubiel]

Easy read with some good ideas, but it is a little dated now.

[Corey]

Summary:
I think this book has quite a lot of value, but it is quite technical and dense to get through despite not being a large book. It has particular value for those looking to improve their marketing, but the advice and resources in the book just don't feel that accessible. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but I found it really hard to engage with this book, it took me a long time to get through it.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to market their products or services more effectively.

The main message I took from this book is how crucial marketing can be to the success of a business.

Some notable points:
- Seven common pitfalls in business:
1. If you can't describe it, you can't sell it.
2. Don't leap before you know what it takes to succeed.
3. Don't be a lone wolf.
4. Don't jump the gun without market research and planning.
5. One size doesn't fit all when marketing your business.
6. If you can't visualise it, you can't make it happen.
7. Not having built-in focus and accountability.

- To determine whether there is a market for your products and services look at how many competitors provide the same service or product, whether your product or service is innovative and if it is whether you can educate your markets and create demand for it, whether you can compete effectively in price, quality and delivery and whether you can your price your product or service to achieve a profit.

- An elevator pitch should include our company and/or your name, a statement about how your product/service addresses the problem/need, as identified by your target customer and your key points of differentiation (your niche).

[Tanner Maluchnik]

I usually take TONS of notes on each book I read, however, this one only had minimal gems in it, if any at all.

[Jason]

Lame. One of the worst business books I have ever read. Full of cutesy examples that were silly.

[Gayle]

An excellent, easy to read resource for anyone starting a business or struggling with new business growing pains. Workbook style 'homework' pages are helpful.

[Lesley Looper]

I skimmed through this, but it had some good tips. I'd probably re-read this if I ever start my own business.

[Robin]

Most recent proofread!