The $100 Startup

   

 

Imagine a life where all your time is spent on things that you want to do.

Imagine giving all your greatest attention to a project you create yourself...

Imagine that today is your final day of working for anyone other than yourself.

Chris Guillebeau’s new book,The 100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future ,is a wonderful guide to what it takes to make that leap.

I loved the stories of people who have successfully made that leap: the story of a suddenly unemployed salesman who grew a retail mattress business out of a load of surplus mattresses, the story of how a passion for map making led to a successful map making business, the story of a music teacher who built a software business. Woven throughout is Chris’ own story of growing his Unconventional Guides business.
 
In every case, the entrepreneur started the business with only a very small investment—the cost of a truckload of mattresses, the first printing of a set of maps, or a new camera. The traditional thought is that you need a lot of money to start a business. Chris shows that we all have the resources to start a $100 Startup.
 
Chris’ books are always very practical. After reading Chris’ e-book The Unconventional Guide to Working for Yourself, I sold a few things on eBay and began looking for ways to earn a side income. After reading the Frequent Flyer Master, I earned 200,000 frequent flyer miles—enough for several round trip tickets. This one is no exception. He provides templates for a one page-business plan, a one page marketing strategy and even a one-page partnering agreement.

I also like how he provided financial information from the entrepreneurs. He told how much each of his case studies made in their first year and how it grew. These are not get rich quick stories. Many of the businesses started at around $60,000 for their first year. Yet many grew into the six figures in year two.

I have dreamed for years of starting a business, but only taken timid steps in that direction. I’m not looking to quit my job, only to diversify my income. The $100 Startup has given me not only the inspiration to push forward, but enough practical advice to help get me moving.
 

Warning: I didn’t have to buy this book. Chris sent me an advance copy for review. I have repaid his kindness by sprinkling this post with affiliate links both back to his site and to Amazon. I was thrilled last week when I received my first Amazon Affiliate payment. Sure, it was only $13.72 but, as Chris wrote in this book, there is magic in that first check.