Copyright 2013 by Jeffrey Weber
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307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file
ISBN: 978-1-62153-427-3
eISBN: 978-1-62153-418-1
Printed in the United States of America
Praise for From Idea to Exit
The spirit of adventure permeates this book as Jeff guides us through the entrepreneurial journey. For all of us restless souls eager to take that first big step, this is an invaluable map to guide the way.
Mark Achler, Senior Vice President, New Business, Strategy & Innovation,
redbox
There is a certain wisdom about entrepreneurship that only comes from doing it. Jeff Weber has done it, and his reflections on his journey in From Idea to Exit are an invaluable resource for anyone setting out on his or her own journey.
Bo Burlingham, Editor-at-Large, Inc. magazine, and Author of
Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big
From Idea to Exit is an excellent summation of Jeff Webers entrepreneurial journey that should be a reference guidebook on the bookshelf of all entrepreneurs. It is filled with insights that... can be used again and again through all stages of building a startup. Jeff distills his learnings and catalogs them with the precision of a surgeon. As someone who is currently on his seventh startup now, I found myself taking copious notes. I am particularly impressed by how Jeff outlines the process of running and then exiting a business. I can assure you that youll dog-ear many pages that you are likely to keep returning to.
Naeem Zafar, Serial Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, and Faculty Member,
Haas School of Business, University of CaliforniaBerkeley
From Idea to Exit follows how the entrepreneur and his business evolve from the idea phase through startup, into running, and finally exit. Weber reveals the gates that both the entrepreneur and the business must pass before entering each new phase of growth. Combining research and personal experience, Weber introduces fresh methodologies and theories that are sure to benefit both new and existing entrepreneurs. I get a lot of books every year to review, and this is a really good book!
Steve Mariotti, Founder, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
What makes Jeff Webers book so special is that it addresses the entire entrepreneurial process, its written by someone who actually experienced it, and it integrates high-level principles and ideas with real stories and practical how-tos. From Idea to Exit is required reading for every highly ambitious and driven entrepreneur.
Raman Chadha, Executive Director and Clinical Professor,
DePaul University, Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
If you are afraid of venturing out on your own, or wonder if you have what it takes, read this book. Entrepreneurship is scary and thrilling all at the same time. This book will help you think about how to turn your business idea into an avocation that will support you. Jeff Weber understands the path you will need to take and the fears you will need to overcome.
Jeffrey Carter, Cofounder, Hyde Park Angels
As a business mentoring expert to entrepreneurs, I often find them searching for the how-tos of becoming successful in business. Jeff Weber shares brilliantly in From Idea to Exit, using his own experiences, and delivers the actual framework entrepreneurs can model their business enterprise after. Jeff puts it all out there, sharing his own valuable stories, and then helps evolving entrepreneurs with the skill building they need to thrive in business. His ideas are practical, logical, and at the same time innovative. If you are an entrepreneur or dream of owning your own business, then breathe in every word of this book. It is masterful.
Terri Levine, PhD, The Business Mentoring Expert,
Bestselling Author of Coaching Is for Everyone
In From Idea To Exit: The Entrepreneurial Journey, Jeff Weber provides a tremendous wealth of knowledge of the process by which entrepreneurship evolves. This is a must-read for any young aspiring entrepreneur.
Jason Baudendistel, CEO, Solutions Consulting Group
I like this book. A lot. Moreover, I know its a valuable contribution to the development of entrepreneurs everywhere. Nothing could be better than finding out from an expert like Jeff Weber that you really are that entrepreneur you dreamed youd be and then having him help you, step by step, achieve the success youd always envisioned. Read this book and then... Go. Live your dream. Because you can.
Leslie L. Kossoff, Founder and Principal, The Kossoff Group; Award-Winning
Author of Executive Thinking: The Dream, the Vision, the Mission Achieved;
Founder and Editor, ObtuseAngles.net
Jeffrey Weber elucidates the concept of the Risk Box and provides the means to move the walls by destroying risk, aversion, and fear.
A. S. Rao, President, Indian Innovators Association
Table of Contents
Introduction
I KNOW WHY THIS BOOK is in your hands: you have that fire withina compulsory desire to create something new. You want to step over the boundaries that surround your current daily existence, to break away from a career path clogged with people seeking the same predictable, safe, and unremarkable destination. Whether youre a cubicle worker, a small business owner, or a corporate leader, you want to enter new territoryto incubate ideas, break down the walls of risk aversion that surround you, and clear a trail toward something only you can imagine and achieve. I know the journey youre contemplating, because Ive taken it, and I remember how little real, practical advice I could find to help me on my way. I didnt read entrepreneurial success stories and wish that I was the guy or gal whod made it to the top. I wanted to know how they got there, so I could do it myselfto start something from nothing and realize success. I think thats what you want, too, and thats why I wrote this book.