Susan Wilson Solovic - Its Your Biz: The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss

More Advance Praise for Its Your Biz

Susan Solovic has written a needed book that offers prospective business owners both a realistic view of the hurdles theyll face and powerful strategies for tackling them. Read it for a confidence boost that will help you build your business and yourself.

Mark Sanborn, author of The Fred Factor and
You Dont Need a Title to Be a Leader

In the middle of my life, I left a long career in journalism to launch a business from scratch. I wish Id read Its Your Biz first, because it would have saved me a lot of time and money. Susan Solovic is absolutely right that being an entrepreneurromantic as it soundsisnt for everyone. She lays out a very clear, compelling guide to figuring out whether running your own business is the right move for you.

Tony Schwartz, author of New York Times bestseller
Be Excellent at Anything and Power of Full Engagement

About to pour your time and money into starting the business of your dreams? Theres more to it than you might think, but Solovic has a few tricks up her sleeve that youll put to good use. Its Your Biz will help you look before you leap!

Charlene Li, Founder of Altimeter Group and
author of Open Leadership and Groundswell

The only person that can give advice on how to start and grow a business is a person who has done it herself, and Susan Solovic is that person. In her book Its Your Biz, she shares all that shes learnedthe good, the bad and the uglyand tells us how to move into action. Whether you are a first-time entrepreneur or are repositioning your business after a rough recession, Its Your Biz will give you the insights, action items, and tips you need to make sure that you take control of your business into the future. Business owners will reap great rewards from reading this easy-to-read business how to book!

Leslie Grossman, Cofounder, Womens Leadership Exchange

Its simple. If you are starting a business or struggling with an existing one, you need this book. Filled with tips, ideas, and strategies, it is your roadmap to success.

Shep Hyken, New York Times bestselling
author of The Amazement Revolution

Its Your Biz is filled with tons of practical advice and pearls of wisdom on how to turn your passion into a profitable, sustainable business.

Jill Konrath, author of SNAP Selling and Selling to Big Companies

Its become common wisdom that the best way to succeed in any endeavor is to seek out someone who has already succeeded in doing what you want to do and duplicate their methods. Meet your new mentor, Susan Solovic. She is the real deal, a proven entity who has built successful businesses. Reading this book is like sitting at the feet of a master. Read, learn, prosper!

Bob Burg, coauthor of The Go-Giver and Endless Referrals

I met Susan Solovic in 2005 when she was booked as a guest on ABCs World News This Morning. As the overnight and early morning news anchor at ABC News I had interviewed numerous experts from all walks of business life. As Susan became a regular on the morning news I found her to be the most passionate and point blank of any our guests. She preached the gospel of small business in such a way that anyone with an idea or inkling to start a business couldnt help but give it serious consideration. But unlike scores of others who claim a place in the world of small-business entrepreneurship, Susan always kept it real. She shed a light on the challenges small-business owners face, and offered a range of solutions.

There are many small-business experts who can inspire you to try something newleave you feeling as if you can do anything. But being able to navigate the sometimes difficult road that is small business takes an expert of a different kind. This book will undoubtedly awaken your entrepreneurial spiritSusan will surely motivate, inspire, and enlighten. BUT, she will make sure youre never blindsided by the real-life challenges and problems that are sure to arise.

I know it sounds clich, but it is a fitting analogysuccess is a marathon, not a sprint. Susan will fire the starting pistol and see you off on the race. Then she will show up by your side to coach you through the most difficult stretch, when youre running out of breath and your legs are giving out. She will help get you to that place where the finish line is in sight. The time is now to get in the race, but dont go it alone.

Ron Corning, WFAA-TV Morning Anchor, Dallas, Texas

ITS YOUR BIZ

the complete guide to becoming your own boss

SUSAN WILSON SOLOVIC
WITH ELLEN R. KADIN

FOREWORD BY EDIE WEINER

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This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

Although this book does not always specifically identify trademarked terms, AMACOM uses them for editorial purposes only, with no intention of trademark violation.

Its Your Biz is a trademark of Susan Solovic Media.

Saving People Money So They Can Live Better is a registered service mark of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Solovic, Susan Wilson.

Its your biz : the complete guide to becoming your own boss / Susan Wilson Solovic, with Ellen R. Kadin ; foreword by Edie Weiner.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-0-8144-1671-6 (hbk.)

ISBN-10: 0-8144-1671-3 (hbk.)

1. New business enterprises. 2. Business planning. 3. Small businessManagement. I. Kadin, Ellen R. II. Title.

HD62.5.S6729 2012

658.11dc23

2011017507

2012 Susan Wilson Solovic
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.

This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of AMACOM, a division of American Management Association, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

About AMA
American Management Association ( www.amanet.org ) is a world leader in talent development, advancing the skills of individuals to drive business success. Our mission is to support the goals of individuals and organizations through a complete range of products and services, including classroom and virtual seminars, webcasts, webinars, podcasts, conferences, corporate and government solutions, business books, and research. AMAs approach to improving performance combines experiential learninglearning through doingwith opportunities for ongoing professional growth at every step of ones career journey.

Printing number
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my loving husband, George, who is my biggest fan, best friend, and source of inspiration. We love each other unconditionally. I could never have achieved so much without his loving support.

To my stepgrandchildren: Brendan, Emma, Matthew, and Claire. I hope in some small way I help you to see the world as a source of inspiration, and I hope you find the courage to discover your special talents, to be confident enough to follow your passions, and to use your talents to make your mark on the world.