Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17259 in Books
• Published on: 2003-12-19
• Binding: Paperback
• 218 pages

Edge, April 2003
".if you are thinking of starting you won business, read this book..a fascinating read.."

Review
“…This is an engaging read, as well as a useful guide to starting a business...” (Financial Times, 10 February 04)

"entrepreneur′s bible" (Eve, March 2006)

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"...entrepreneur's bible..." Eve, March 2006)

Customer Reviews

Smell the coffee...
Written in an easy relaxing and almost conversational style this book was an exhilarating and inspiring read. I never expected to read it right to the end but I could not put it down as I was anxious to see how they overcame each obstacle that seemed to threaten their business even before it began.

The book gave a necessary insight into just what it takes to start a business from the initial idea, dealing with the negativity of friends and family, sourcing funding, premises, products and staff.

What makes it a good read is all the mistakes and mishaps and dramas that they encounter, stumble over and somehow get through. O.K. so they were already from a wealthy background, but they didn't use Daddy's money to start the business and the vital skills they brought to their own business came from skills they had personally developed in their previous day jobs. Skills we all, as individuals, tend to overlook in ourselves.

This books gives a warts and all, non-technical, non-jargon-ised, account of the many different issues and hurdles that start-ups encounter; the various stages of growth and the different hurdles that come with each stage and the practicual steps they took to overcome them.

It will be inspiring to those contemplating starting a new business as well as encouraging for those who have already embarked on this exciting and exhilarating journey.

Enjoy!

Enjoyable but not detailed enough
I found this book to be a great story, and certainly an interesting insight into the beginnings of a household brand. There are plenty of useful tips for the person considering becoming an entrepreneur, and it's filled me with greater optimism and determination to start my own business than I had before I read it!

My one criticism would be how it seemed to end quite suddenly, with the departure of the founders from the company - but then I imagine they couldn't write about it when they weren't there anymore. I would have liked to see more statistics about the company and its' growth.

Inspiring, informative & just flippin' fantastic...
I'm just in the process of setting up my own shop; it's been a harrowing process and I've found that hearing the experiences of other people has kept me going and brought back my focus. I just happened across this book and thought it looked like the kind of thing I'd like, so I placed my order. When it came, I read the whole thing in two evenings - not because it's an easy short read but because it's fascinating. I cannot describe how helpful it is - just knowing you're not the only one out there is such a comfort!
What I found especially helpful was the warnings about looking after yourself - I've been lucky enough to burn myself out just running somebody else's business so I know my limits now, and would advise any upcoming entrepreneur the same;
and also the story of how the business changed as it grew - how their 'baby' became an 'adult' and began to look after itself, eventually not really needing them anymore! It helped me to decide that I'd just like a small chain.
The book is written factually rather than emotionally but if you're in the same boat as me it'll be a rollercoaster anyway!
I would recommend Sahar and Bobby's story to ANYONE, and thank them for this invaluable book.