Book Review: Six-Week Start-Up: A Step-by-Step Program for Starting Your Business, Making Money, and Achieving Your Goals!

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Business Start-Up. A Business Start-up is a relatively new company, project or business venture with a limited operating history. Dr. Mary Waters is the Official Guide to Business Start-Up.nnSix-Week Start-Up: A Step-by-Step Program for Starting Your Business, Making Money, and Achieving Your Goals!, by Rhonda Abrams is a valuable resource for people interested in Business Start-Up and it is available through Amazon.com.nnProduct DescriptionnSix-Week Start-Up offers entrepreneurs a quick-and-easy, proven formula for organizing the difficult details of a new business and getting it up-and-running--fast! Designed by America's foremost small-business advice guru Rhonda Abrams as a personal workbook. nnFrom the PublishernIs This Book for You? nThis book is a step-by-step guide for getting a successful business up and running fast. It covers all aspects of launching a business, from licenses, to bookkeeping to marketing to setting up shop. Everything is presented in a step-by-step format with checklists, worksheets, and top-notch advice from one of America’s most highly regarded business writers. nnThis book is for you if: n* You’re currently in the process of starting your own business and want to get things done as efficiently as possible, yet still do them right. n* You want to make certain you take care of all the details of getting a business underway, organize the process, and get some good advice. n* You’re going to start a business soon and need a plan on how to go about it. n* You have an idea for a business but don’t know where to start. n* You already run a business but would like to improve operations, marketing, and/or take care of essential aspects of growing a company. n* You’re a student in an entrepreneurship or small business class and need to launch a complete business in a limited time period. nnYou probably do not need this book if: n* You’ve been in business many years, and you’re not expanding or changing your business significantly. n* You’ve started many businesses successfully before and are starting another one; while this book may be a good organizing tool, it’s likely to cover information you’ve already learned from experience. n* You have no idea whatsoever of what business you want to start. If that’s the case, consider "What Business Should I Start?" also published by The Planning Shop. nnFrom the Inside FlapnYou have a great idea for a business--but now comes the tough part: making it happen. From licenses to bookeeping to marketing to setting up shop, Six-Week Start-Up guides you through every step of getting your business up and running successfully--and fast! nnFor many would-be business owners, coming up with a great business idea is easy; it's getting the business up and running that's overwhelming! If you're ready to start your business, but have no idea where to begin, this new book by best-selling author and nationally-syndicated columnist Rhonda Abrams is for you! nnRhonda breaks down the entire process of launching a business into a six week process. Each week, you'll address specific goals and tasks, such as developing your company brand (name, logo, etc.), analyzing your competition, or finding an office or retail location. And at every step of the way, Rhonda will be there to provide specific instructions, tips, advice, and resources. nnFeatures include: nnWeek-by-Week Checklists. See exactly what you need to do on a weekly basis. Each checklist item corresponds to detailed information about getting that task done quickly. nnDozens of Worksheets. These carefully designed tools help you work through important issues and decisions. nn"Questions to Ask." Before you meet with an accountant, lawyer, investor, graphic designer, potential employees, or others, make sure you're armed with these lists of important questions for them. nn"Red Tape Alerts." Stay out of trouble in areas related to taxes, laws, employment rules, and more. nnComparison Shopping Charts. Make smart purchasing decisions on everything from computers to office space. nnComprehensive Resource Links. Find the key information you need quickly and accurately. nnExpert Advice. Rhonda's books have helped literally thousands of businesses get off the ground—she can help you, too! nnCovers in-depth: nnClarifying your business concept and defining meaningful goals nConducting market research and developing your strategic position nHandling government requirements: licenses, permits, taxes nManaging your money: bookeeping, budgets, credit cards, investors nDeveloping an effective marketing and sales campaign nHiring and leading great employees nSetting up your office/store/plant effectively nGetting and staying organized nnAbout the AuthornA syndicated columnist, best-selling author, and popular public speaker, Rhonda Abrams has spent more than 15 years advising, mentoring and consulting entrepreneurs and small business owners. Her knowledge of the small business market and her passion for entrepreneurship have made her one of the nation’s most recognized advocates for small business. nnRhonda’s weekly newspaper column, "Successful Business Strategies," is the nation’s most widely-read column about entrepreneurship, reaching more than 20 million readers through 130 newspapers, USATODAY.com, Inc.com, and Costco Connection magazine. nnRhonda’s first book, "The Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies," was acclaimed by Forbes magazine as one of the two best books for small business and by Inc. magazine as one of the six best books for start-ups. Now in its fourth edition, it is used as the primary text for business plan classes by more than 100 business schools. nnIn her second book, "Wear Clean Underwear: Business Wisdom from Mom," Rhonda illuminates how incorporating strong values into running a business can also benefit the bottom line. She examines the business practices of several outstanding companies, including Southwest Airlines, Kinko’s, and 3M. "Wear Clean Underwear" was a selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club. It has been translated into Japanese, Dutch, and Korean. nnAn experienced entrepreneur, Rhonda has started three successful companies, including a small business planning consulting firm. Her experience gives her a strong real-life understanding of the challenges facing entrepreneurs. Currently, she is the founder and CEO of The Planning Shop, a company focused on providing entrepreneurs with high quality information and tools for developing successful businesses. nnRhonda was educated at Harvard University and UCLA. She lives in Palo Alto, California.