Startup Nation: America's Leading Entrepreneurial Experts Reveal the Secrets to Building a Blockbuster Business

by Jeff Sloan, Rich Sloan

Want to take control of your life? Want to trade in that listless job and create the company you’ve always dreamed of? Millions of new businesses are started each year, from online diamond dealers to part-time “pet projects” to the latest franchises. StartupNation is all about putting you in the driver’s seat to start your own business.

Jeff and Rich Sloan are lifelong entrepreneurs who have created dozens of successful businesses and have guided and advised thousands of others through their nationally syndicated radio talk show, on their Web site, and in their weekly online newsletter. In StartupNation, the Sloan Brothers examines every aspect of smart entrepreneurship and help you create the business you've always dreamed of.

You'll learn about the dos and don'ts and the highs and lows of building your own business through the Sloan's in-the-trenches insights and the inspirational tales of over thirty other gutsy entrepreneurs. Among the stories you'll read

• The Sloans' own patented invention, the Battery Buddy®, which generated more than $1 million in royalties

• Lavetta Willis, who built Dada Footwear into a fashion brand that now produces sneakers worn by NBA basketball stars

• Tom Nardone, who created the booming ShopInPrivate.com, where people can order items they’re embarrassed to buy at the local drugstore.

StartupNation presents a master course in identifying a good idea, building the right kind of business around it, and avoiding the pitfalls that can derail you. If you’ve ever dreamed of pursuing your own business, StartupNation will be your most powerful resource.

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2005

Reviews

[Justus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a very basic starting up book for people thinking about starting up. That said I thought it was well written and not too much rah rah (though it is certainly a big part of the book). I have come to the theory that there are three types of these books, the RAHRAH you-can-do-it type, the NOLO nuts and bolts type, and the HARVARD theoretical/case study books.

For RAHRAH is not over the top like many of these books tend to go, but its nuts and bolts aspects are really quite basic. That said, I am below basic in my ideas of starting up a firm so it was certainly of value. As far as I can tell however, the most valuable stuff for me (their step by step exercises) are all on their website so I don't think I will buy a copy for myself...but I will definitely be referencing this book again when I'm ready to do more writing/planning

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sloan brothers do a fantastic job of talking about what it's like to start your own company. They make excellent teachers and this book was a fast yet super-informative read. I like the idea of designing your life before you design your business (though life may not always give you that pleasure).

I'll probably have to re-read this at some point in the future.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many books out here, this one really just isn't that great. I finished thinking "Where's The Beef?"

[Lori Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A should-read book on entrepreneurship for knowledge workers and aspiring entrepreneurs.