The Girl's Guide to Starting Your Own Business (Revised Edition): Candid Advice, Frank Talk, and True Stories for the Successful Entrepreneur - Softcover

Friedman, Caitlin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 006198924X ISBN 13: 9780061989247

Publisher: Harper Business, 2010

Synopsis

Geared toward the unique challenges faced by self-employed businesswomen—and updated for the social media-driven, post-financial crisis world—The Girl's Guide to Starting Your Own Business offers solutions and advice for handling a range of issues, including how to write a business plan, how to secure funding, and how to hire (and fire) employees. Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio share practical information drawn from their own extensive experience in the public relations, marketing, and consulting fields. Their concise and engaging advice is explained through entertaining tips, lists, and quizzes that speak directly to women who are dreaming of starting, or have already started, their own businesses.

About this title

Review:

PR pundits and business owners Friedman and Yorio tackle the fear factor of women who want to quit their day job and build a business. They ask, "Are you the girl to run the show?" They answer with a sassy list of pros and cons ("You will be able to get to your child's school play, but you will think about money all the time.") and with tough questions ("Could you negotiate a reasonable rent with an unreasonable landlord?)

Every chapter is packed with interviews, charts, quizzes and witty directives about self-employment. Among their greatest hits: what's in a name, choosing logos, ten inspiring business chick flicks, legal eagles, business speak and visibility in professional associations. Friedman and Yorio sweat the small stuff. They explain, for example, why you shouldn't eat spaghetti at a business lunch and how to ask revealing questions of a potential employee or computer consultant. The authors' premise, "let women be women" is most compelling when they explore the unique challenges women face--from finding female role models to being a boss "without being a bitch."

They are on shakier ground with the arguable assumption that all women share distinct gender styles and strengths. This type casting and the "girl friend" tone can sometimes belittle the book's smart and strategic ideas for becoming the boss. Still, it is hard to imagine a more readable, practical book about the challenges of being in charge. --Barbara Mackoff

About the Author:

Caitlin Friedman, a cofounder of the boutique public relations agency YC Media, is a full-time writer and consultant. Kimberly Yorio is the president of YC Media, specializing in publicity for cookbooks, restaurants, wine and spirits, and food products. They've written four books together, including The Girl's Guide to Being a Boss; The Girl's Guide to Big Bold Career Success; and Happy at Work, Happy at Home.

Caitlin Friedman, a cofounder of the boutique public relations agency YC Media, is a full-time writer and consultant. Kimberly Yorio is the president of YC Media, specializing in publicity for cookbooks, restaurants, wine and spirits, and food products. They've written four books together, including The Girl's Guide to Being a Boss; The Girl's Guide to Big Bold Career Success; and Happy at Work, Happy at Home.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Business
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 006198924X
• ISBN 13: 9780061989247
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272