Designed to help would-be entrepreneurs make the go/no go decision about whether or not they should pursue small business ownership, this text presents a planning system to determine if starting a business is the best move.

As many as nine out of ten businesses fail in their first year. Learn how to avoid failure in this short, simple, and "easy to read" book full of educational quotes from small business owners around the country. The authors anecdotes of her personal experiences are not only entertaining, they're educational as well.

"Become Your Own Boss is a must-read if you're thinking of launching a business of your own." --Jean Chatzky, bestselling author of Money 911 and Financial Editor, NBC Today Create a successful business this year! Written by America's #1 Small Business Expert, this essential handbook shows you how to launch your own business in just twelve months. Using her years of experience in business development, Melinda Emerson guides you through the process with step-by-step instructions for developing an effective marketing plan, setting a budget, and maintaining your business once it's up and running. She also offers brand-new strategies for obtaining financing through means like crowdsourcing as well as social media techniques that help build your business--all of which has been updated for today's market. With Emerson's expert business advice, you will finally follow your dreams and become your own boss!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for yourself? Since the recent recession figures show that more and more people, both young and old, would rather set up their own business than continue searching for jobs that are scarce, and often end up being poorly-paid. In Be Your Own Boss, dozens of ordinary people who have taken the plunge and launched their own successful businesses, share their know-how on how to get started and on the common mistakes to avoid. Whether it’s baking cakes to make a bit of spare cash, leaving school at 16 to launch a magazine, turning redundancy into an opportunity or attracting money from the stars of TV’s Dragons’ Den, their stories will inspire. Business experts also share their top tips on where to go for money and advice to take your ideas from the bedroom to the boardroom. This book has all you need to start on the journey to be your own boss.

From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together

Get expert advice on marketing, selling online, accounting, and more—all tailored to the current economic climate—in this new, updated edition of the go-to resource for hopeful entrepreneurs. America’s #1 small business expert is back with a brand-new, updated, and expanded edition of her essential handbook, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. Using her years of entrepreneurial experience, Melinda Emerson guides you through the process of opening your own business with step-by-step instructions for leading effectively, developing a winning marketing plan, setting a budget, and maintaining your business once it’s up and running. She also offers new strategies for social media techniques, customer engagement, selling online, and more. This new edition of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months can help you build your business and invest your time (and money) where you need it most in order to succeed in today’s market. With Emerson’s expert business advice, you can finally follow your dreams and be on your way to becoming your own boss!

From weighing up the pros and cons of jumping ship in the first place to establishing and maintaining a successful solo enterprise, this book is all you need to make the leap to working alone. All aspects of setting up a new business are covered including: - managing resources, time, clients etc. - establishing good working practices and maintaining a desirable work/life balance for those who choose to work from home. - getting the financial aspects right - one of the biggest pitfalls in going it alone. - being a 'five to niner' - building up a business in your spare time while still employed. Practical examples of best (and worst) practices are provided, gleaned from interviews with dozens of people from across the globe who are successful solo workers. Be your own Boss contains hundreds of relevant examples and genuine, tried and tested tips and practices which really work. NOT GOT MUCH TIME? One and five-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. TEST YOURSELF Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of how to keep your small business afloat and going strong. THINGS TO REMEMBER Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. TRY THIS Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.