Edward D. Hess - So, You Want to Start a Business?: 8 Steps to Take Before Making the Leap

Edward D. Hess
Charles F. Goetz

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2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Publishing as FT Press
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458

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Printed in the United States of America

First Printing August 2008

ISBN-10: 0-13-712667-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-712667-5

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hess, Edward D.
So, you want to start a business? : 8 steps to take before making the leap / Edward D. Hess, Charles F. Goetz.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-13-712667-0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. New business enterprises. 2. Entrepreneurship. 3. Business planning. I. Goetz, Charles F., 1956- II. Title.
HD62.5.H475 2009
658.1'1dc22
2008014682

To all the entrepreneurs who have taught me that business is much more than just making money; it is the primary means through which most people achieve their dreams for a better life for themselves and their families. To that end business is a noble profession.

Ed Hess

I dedicate this book to everyone who dreams of a better life and who is willing to accept some risk so that they can see their dreams come true. And to my family, who has made it possible for me to achieve my dreams. Thank youI love you all.

Charlie Goetz

"I used So, You Want To Start a Business? to restructure my furniture hardware company. The book was full of applicable information that I have used and will continue to incorporate into my company. I couldn't ask for a better resource."

Adam Prestwood, Vice President, Pampco, Inc.

"Practical, sensible advice to anyone starting a business. A great short course in entrepreneurship."

Billy D. Prim, Chairman and CEO, Primo Water Corporation, Winston-Salem, NC

"This is exactly the kind of book first time entrepreneurs always needed but was never available. Everyone who is thinking about becoming an entrepreneur must read this book."

Dr. E.W. Leonard, Associate Dean, Executive MBA Program, Goizueta Business School, Emory University

"Here is the straight story about being a successful entrepreneur from people who have been one and taught many. Clear, practical, and concise, this book delivers the goods."

Andy Fleming, Principal, Core Growth Partners, Atlanta, GA

"Solid advice for building and growing a sustainable business."

Andrew Bourne, CEO, WayPoint Technologies, Phoenix, AZ

"Professor Hess's book has helped me improve my services and make clients feel appreciated, respected, and most of all, like they're getting a great service at a fair price."

Sammy Starnes, Owner, Hair Concepts, Inc.

"A treasure trove of information! I just started my company, and I have to say that this book helped me make the right decisions from the very beginning."

Derica Justice, Owner, Bon Bini Print & Design

"This is a great practical guide with lessons and insights for anyone who wants to start a business. You will go back to it again and again."

Ned Morgens, CEO, SarahCare.com, Atlanta, GA

"Whether you are a striving young entrepreneur or a middle-aged person with the courage to trust your wits, this book is indispensable."

Ben Dyer, General Partner, Cordova Ventures, Atlanta, GA

"A must read for entrepreneurs who want to know what it really takes to launch a successful small business."

Jay Myers, CEO, Interactive Solutions, Inc., Memphis, TN

"A precise, pragmatic, wisdom-dripping, rich read. The authors walk the talk."

Jim Christian, CEO, Kandumedia.com, Denver, CO

"A powerful book full of good how-to advice."

Philippe Sommer, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, Batten Institute, Darden School of Business, Charlottesville, VA

"This book is a great primer and an excellent reference book for an entrepreneur."

Walter Negley, CEO, TSP, Houston, TX

No one writes a book by himself. This book is the result of over 30 years of learning from teachers, entrepreneurs, colleagues, and students too numerous to mention by namebut thank you.

A special thank you to Deans Al Hartgraves and Tom Robertson who gave me the opportunity to create the Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Leadership courses at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.

Thank you to consummate entrepreneurs Ben Dyer and Jay Myers who graciously critiqued the book.

To Dean Bob Bruner and Professor Jeanne Liedtka, Executive Director of the Batten Institute, at the Darden School of Business, and the Darden Foundation, at the University of Virginiathank you for your support in this endeavor and for the privilege to be a faculty member at Darden.

And to my dear friend, colleague, and coauthor Charlie Goetz who epitomizes the American dreamthank you for your contribution and for the joy and fun of trying to help others achieve their dreams. You are a good soul.

Thank you to my Executive Assistant, Nanci Crawford, who makes writing more of a joy with her high standards and management of the book production process.

And a special thanks to the wonderful team at Pearson (led by our editor Jen Simon, who believed in this project as passionately as we did) who made our book better and were great partners with positive entrepreneurial attitudes.

Ed Hess

First off, I would like to apologize for those who I might have inadvertently left out. If your name is not on this list and it should have been, unfortunately you are one of themmy sincere apology.

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