A microbusiness is defined as a small business of 1 to 19 employees usually started with less than $35,000. Contrary to the common narrative of starting a business with a small business loan or venture capitalist, most small businesses are started with far less fanfare. People often start with their vision, passion and current resources. More than half a million small businesses start life in the U.S. every year-and most of them are doomed to fail. Some estimates are that as many as 80 percent of these companies won't survive five years. This book is a checklist of 78 action items one can take to create, enhance or improve their small business. It is the bootstrapper's checklist for a startup. Seasoned business executive and serial entrepreneur, Angela Ford, brings her wisdom and experience to this book. Making a Microbusiness is written in an engaging, no-nonsense, down to earth manner about Angela's most important lessons in entrepreneurship learned the hard way. At times it is witty and humorous (if only the subject wasn't so serious). The book steers everyone intending to start a business away from commonly-made mistakes, and rings warning bells for every current small business owner who's already making their way through entrepreneurship. It is the book Angela wishes someone had given to her saying, "Hey, these are some very specific things you need to consider." It is strewn with attention-grabbing examples and personal anecdotes. It engages the reader with a summary or "step" at the end of each section. There are obviously thousands of books in the business genre published each year. The authors' approach sets this one apart providing graphic examples of business tripwires to which many readers will be able to relate. This is not a top-down ivory tower business book; it is a hands-on, real world and honest portrayal of the difficulties of launching a new enterprise. It is in the spirit of Michael Gerber's bestselling book The E-Myth published by HarperBusiness as well as Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson and The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau, both published by Crown Business. Making a Microbusiness will appeal to the same audience.
About the Author: Angela Ford is a serial entrepreneur, sustainability expert, licensed real estate broker, property manager and former chairperson of a non-profit organization. She is a professional instructor for creating sustainable communities and work environments as well as property management real estate matters. Angela formed her first small business with a friend from high school at the age of 18. Though short-lived, she gained enough confidence to head several organizations and create college events that now occur annually. Immediately after college she formed a fashion company that produced, directed and choreographed a national show which toured the country for seven years. Ten years of experience providing wardrobe and set design for movies, television shows and commercials led to a stint as a syndicated fashion columnist. Fourteen years ago Angela founded a real estate and sustainability consulting firm and secured both SBA financing and rounds of capital from family and friends. Recently she partnered with a software developer and launched another start-up for property management software solutions. A graduate of Illinois State University she is the mother of one son who currently lives in China. She is an avid cyclist and hot air balloonist.