A lot of people ask me how I manage to write two books a year as well as running a couple of fast-growing businesses. And sometimes, in the early hours of the morning when I'm still writing, and knowing I'll only get 5 hours sleep before going to work, I wonder why I do it!
But then I get some feedback like this from Chris Zhang last week and I don't wonder any more. It's fantastic to be able to play a small part in enthusing someone about starting a business, and equipping them with some of the knowledge to get started.
My favourite quote from Chris is:
We were holding management team meetings every Saturday in my little flat and the first draft of our business plan was born.... I can still remember that I spent all the Friday nights trying to memorize all the words in Steve's books, in order to prove my ability and please everyone in Saturday's meetings. Both our CFO and Account Manager were amazed at my finance and accounting knowledge.
I wrote the books because I'd had so many setbacks and made so many mistakes in starting my first business that I wanted to pass on the lessons I had learned the hard way, so that it could be a little easier for others. Business books used to be so dull and accountancy driven. I wanted to write one that was fun, motivational and focused on the key entrepreneurial skills of creating opportunities and making sales. I wanted to write the books that I wished had been around when I started (which incidentally was 10 years ago last month!).
So, thanks to all the readers that have emailed feedback, or posted it on FlyingStartups.com in the forum about Start Your Business Week by Week or How to be an Entrepreneur. I really do appreciate it.
Ego massage over, I suppose I'd better get on with writing the next two books that are in the pipeline!





Mon, 02/26/2007 - 23:57
Hi Steve,
I myself have read many of your books on Entrepreneurship and Starting You Business Week By Week!!! I have actually just ordered your latest Book "How to be an Entreprenuer" as well as the Audio CD..from Amazon and I contribute regularly to your flyingstartups forums!!! as well as other forums!!!!As I am looking into ideas for starting my own online and mail order businesses!!!
As long as you continue writing I will continue reading!!! keep up the good work!!!
Kind Regards and Best Wishes
Rajesh Malhotra
R.M.Consultants/R.M.Finance
R.S.V.P.
PS I am also seriously researching the Franchising Industry and I am looking for Finance for a part time vending one? your Book How to Fund your Business does it have any information in there?
Wed, 02/28/2007 - 17:47
Hi Rajesh
You can read more about How to Fund Your Business here http://www.how-to-fund-your-business.com/
It has the full index as well as sample pages.
There isn't a specific section on franchising, but the book goes into detail on how to finance various stages of company development (seed, start-up, early stage, growth, and turnaround). It also goes into detail on how to prepare yourself and your business for a funding round, and how to select the funding mix that is most suitable for your business.
Hope this helps
Anna
Wed, 02/28/2007 - 22:28
Hi Rajesh,
Thanks for your kind comments - and for reading the books!
Online and mail order present great opportunities for startups, so I wish you good fortune in finding the right idea.
cheers
steve
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