A Must-Read for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

That’s the first few paragraphs I read. Then it continued on about how I can attempt to brainwash people so I can make more money. I have an MBA with a focus on marketing and graduated from multiple other courses online. The fact that this book started off telling me to touch my customers and push sales on them unsolicited turned me off instantly. It’s a recipe for an inauthentic business which is not going to fly in this age. These tactics may have “worked” decades ago for the old school pushy salesman, but it’s not how you run an effective and authentic business anytime after 2010. Hard pass. I skimmed a few more chapters to see if there were any valuable nuggets and sadly it seemed like old school garbage. Save your time and find another book.

This can be a life changing book for a small business if only...the writing style wasn't so awful. The lessons contained in the book are very important but the authors writing style is tedious. If you can get past that and focus on the material being presented and not the manner in which it has been presented, you'll likely get a lot out of it.

Best book of entrepreneurship I’ve ever read. This book says everything you need to start your own business. It’s amazing!

I have this on audible as well but wanted the print version too. Read/listen to it frequently to keep my motivation going. As a business owner for 30+ years the stories and advice are so true.

Starting out as a small biz owner this book has really opened my eyes to the importance of systems and the pitfalls to stay clear of as a novice. Will certainly be reading again a few times, thank you!

This should be a required reading assignment for anyone even thinking about starting their own business. The information and insight Gerber has is almost scary after having been a small business owner for almost 3 years. I wish I read this sooner.

There is a decent point in here about using a franchise model to systematize the operation of non-franchise businesses. This could have been addressed in a 10-page pamphlet for beginning businesspeople.

That being said, the rest of the book is cringeworthy in its condescending attempts to apply elementary spirituality to running a business, and repeated "Let me tell you a story..." unusually long explanations.

The book finishes by melding a holier-than-thou self-righteous attitude with a cheap advertisement for the author's business consulting services.

If you are a small business owner or thinking of starting your own business you need to read this book. The insights are nothing short of amazing. The first section about motivations for going into business is pure gold - if you’re just starting out and internalize what he says it could literally be the difference between success and failure.

Much of the book is spent discussing the need for systems which is 100% correct and something many, in particular more creative people, need to take to heart. I know because I’m one of them. While he is a little too in love with the franchise model the points he makes are spot-on whether you are in retail, professional services, manufacturing or anything else.

A caveat. This has been out twenty plus years so the writing style is a bit old school. Throughout the book we listen in as he mentors a small business owner. The author lays it on pretty thick as was the style of the time so you just have to roll your eyes sometimes and forge on.

I’ve been in business 40 years and have owned my own company for 20 - I learned a lot from this book. I truly wish I read it when I was starting out. Hands down this is the best book I’ve ever read on small business or starting a company. It is a must read.

VeryNice!

This book made me look at my chronically struggling small (one man) business in a different way. A freeing way, with a plan. Time to get to work, differently. On my business, not in my business. Highly recommended. Kevin Thomas Morgan

This book is a game changer. If you’re thinking about starting your own company or want a better understanding of business to improve your position within a company this is it! There isn’t much tactical do-this and here’s how, but what this book does do is change your perspective. It gives you the foundation, the blueprint for success and it’s up to you to implement it in your situation. Don’t pass this over, I’ve read a lot in this genre and yet this is the only book I’ve ever left a review for.

That was it... from my title for this review, "Every Business Owner Should Read This." I read about 12-15 books a year, mostly business and operations. This is a must-read for any business but, most importantly, for any business owner under 10 million of annual revenue. For HVAC contractors, get the "E-Myth for HVAC Contractors" which was even better for HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical contractors. Ken Goodrich's contribution to this book is invaluable.

The book was described very accurately in the post and was delivered in timely manner. I would do business here again.

Kindle. I would recommend this book. It does have a lot of descriptive language which I think is meant to stimulate your imagination. The entrepreneur is the dreamer, the manager and the technician are the doer and gatekeeper. Being able to recognize different roles in you and finding the balance between them is the premise of the book. People typically start their business because they can do the technical work. It does not mean they will succeed as a business person which requires business skills, not just technical skills. Being able to work on business development while getting the technical work done in the early stages is key to a successful small business.

This book will change your life. DO IT!

Every business owner/entrepreneur or anyone wanting to be one should read this book.

As a person who is involved in two businesses , one is a family business ( large business) and and the other is a small business with friend , I found that this book illustrated the essential methods to grow the business in practical and reasonable way.

I read the book because a lot of other people have really enjoyed it. It talks about the different parts of a small business. A lot of people are failed entrepreneurs. Here’s the thing: you do not need to be successful every day. You only need to make one idea successful.

If you own a small business or are thinking about starting one then I highly recommend you read this book!!

I loved this book so much, I bought the rest of his books. I recommend this to anyone starting a business or needs improvement. I wish I would have read this before I started my businesses because I would be in better shape. But I'm going to implement what I've learned and make my business better! GET THE BOOK!

If you are a small business struggling you need to read this book before doing any other change. Impressive book.

The book arrived in a good time but it’s old with yellow pages and stains on some of them....

I thought the E related to E-Commerce, however it relates to entrepreneurship and was written decades ago. Highly recommend for any leader and entrepreneur.

A book helping small business entrepreneurs avoid the pitfalls many make. Concise.

Perfect for reversing the downward spiraling of a dying business and taking it to the original levelin which I dreamed it would reach.