Starting a business? You need these on your bookshelf:
Grand Tiki
their new totally stress-free, and immensely-compensated life as a
Shaved Ice Baron, I thought I would make some suggestions on what you
really need to know to run a shaved ice business (or any business).
Unfortunately, everyone you talk to will have lots of *free* advice.
(Most of it isn't even worth that.)
This is what I think is a good start. The following books are
suggested reading for a new business owner, and why you will keep them
after reading them:
---
The Street Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard
Way
http://www.amazon.com/Street-Smart-Entrepreneur-Lessons-Learned/dp/188603933X
Why: He shares the real world in a "What I Used To Think" / "What
Nobody Told Me" format before summarizing his experience in a lesson.
He is brutally honest, owns a small business, and is very easy to
read.
If you can only buy one book, this is the one.
---
The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success
http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Unbreakable-Laws-Business-Success/dp/1576751260\
/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268466649&sr=1-1
Why: This is so packed with information about the mindset and
behaviors of people who "get it", as to make this one of the most
valuable books I have ever purchased. Can be overwhelming if read non-
stop, but digesting (and reflecting on) short sections over a period
of time will pay off during your career. This is a "keep in the
bathroom" type of book.
---
Dave's Way by Dave Thomas (Founder of Wendy's Hamburgers)
http://www.amazon.com/Daves-Way-R-David-Thomas/dp/0425135012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&\
s=books&qid=1268467013&sr=1-1
Why: This out of print book exposes the thought processes that allowed
an orphan to found and grow a world famous fast food chain.
Note: He used to work for (and dress like) Col. Sanders. He died being
just as recognizable, and filthy rich too - unlike Harlan Sanders
himself. (Used copy for $0.31 currently on Amazon is cheap at 10 times
the price.)
---
Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote
Your Business and Energize Your Profits
Why: Dozens of ideas that have built my business were lifted directly
from this book, and other marketing programs were strongly influenced
by ideas from here. If you can only afford 2 books, this is the second
one you want.
Caution: This guy has built an $$$ empire off of his original
"Guerrilla Marketing" book, first published in the late 80's. He now
has a couple of dozen books, sells videos, audiotapes, seminars,
workbooks, and software. Most
of it is just a rehash of the same stuff with little original content.
This exact book (from the stampeding herd of titles he sells) has the
most value for shaved ice owners in my opinion.
---
How To Incorporate and Start a Business in North Carolina [YOUR STATE
HERE]
http://www.amazon.com/Incorporate-Start-Business-North-Carolina/dp/1558505938/re\
f=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268467871&sr=1-1
Why: This book explains the rationals and process of forming a legal
corporation. If you don't know why you should incorporate your
business you MUST, REPEAT MUST, read this book before you decide *not*
to do it, then decide again. (Repeat until you reach the right
answer.)
It has the appropriate forms to file (or you can download from the
state website). Also has info on how to keep simple, yet legally
appropriate, records after filing.
Anyone who pays $600+ to have an attorney pull up a standard word
processor file (resold as "billable time" over and over, to sucker
after sucker), fill in some blanks, and mail it to the state capital
is being taken totally advantage of (which is what lawyers specialize
in.)
It doesn't have to be fancy or complicated (also how lawyers make
their money - by creating $50 solutions for $5 problems) because the
only thing the state *really* wants is your filing fee.
Even legalzoom.com is a much better alternative than a lawyer, but
google will find you the same info for free, if you work on it some.
You'll probably find this book in the library. If so, don't buy it.
Still read it though.
Good luck.
===
"10-8" from high atop the mountain of money our shaved ice empire has
brought us... [END]