What's Stopping You?: Shatter the 9 Most Common Myths Keeping You from Starting Your Own Business

This is the eBook version of the printed book. If the print book includes a CD-ROM, this content is not included within the eBook version. “This book dispels the myths surrounding the process of starting a business, and gives hope and encouragement to people who would like to give it a try.” –Tim Berry, Founder and CEO, Palo Alto Software Creators of the World’s Most Popular   “Bruce Barringer and Duane Ireland’s new book, What’s Stopping You? is an insightful and thought-provoking examination of nine common myths that discourage individuals from starting new businesses. … This book is much-needed and long overdue…. The value of What’s Stopping You? is that it effectively debunks the false premises that too often preclude acts of business start up. What’s Stopping You? is an encouraging, instructive, and eloquently written book that would be a valuable addition to any aspiring entrepreneur’s bookshelf.” Jeffrey G. Covin, Samuel and Pauline Glaubinger Professor of Entrepreneurship, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana   “Over the years I have observed many seemingly great business opportunities never get off the ground. Quite often, what holds these aspiring entrepreneurs back are common misconceptions about the difficulties and risks of starting a new business. In What’s Stopping You?, Professors Barringer and Ireland systematically break down the myths that hold many entrepreneurs back from pursuing their dreams.” Jeffrey R. Cornwall, The Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee   “Barringer and Ireland simultaneously demystify start-up misconceptions and empower readers to explore their own opportunity with renewed passion. Many prospective entrepreneurs feel trapped by myths, the authors carefully detail the myth’s fallacies and encourage the reader to see beyond start-up stereotypes. Future and experienced entrepreneurs have much to learn from What’s Stopping You?” Sarah Schupp, Founder/CEO, University Parent Media, Boulder, Colorado   “Creating your own business from scratch can be a mental, emotional, and financial roller coaster ride. Bruce Barringer and Duane Ireland’s book provides a ‘voice of reason’ and helps give you the confidence to realize you can do it. They recognize that starting a business is hard work, but that it is attainable–and that you should celebrate your accomplishments every step of the way.” Jan Stephenson Kelly, Cofounder/CEO, Spark Craft Studios, Cambridge, MA   Business Plan Software Follow Your Dream! Start Your Own Winning Business—Now!   •Get past the myths that keep you from making the leap •Gain the practical skills and confidence you need to succeed •Quickly evaluate business ideas and pick a winner •Launch your company and watch it grow and profit   Build the business you’ve always dreamed of! Take control of your future and achieve the breakthrough success that’s only possible when you’re working for yourself. You can do it–and this book will show you how.   Forget the myths that have been standing in your way. You don’t need to be rich. You don’t need extensive business experience. You don’t need to be a genius. You don’t need a revolutionary product or service. You can handle the risk, the competition, and the challenges.   The proof’s on every page of this book: case studies of “ordinary” people building great businesses and practical techniques you can use, too–every step of the way!  

Table of Contents:
Preface ix   Part I: Getting Started–It May Not Be as Hard as You Think 1 Chapter 1: Myth No. 1: It Takes an Extraordinary Person to Start a Business; Truth No. 1: You Can Do It! 3 Chapter 2: Myth No. 2: Starting a Business Involves Lots of Risk; Truth No. 2: It May Not Be as Risky as You Think 23 Chapter 3: Myth No. 3: It Takes a Lot of Money to Start a Business; Truth No. 3: It Might Not Cost as Much as You Think 43 Chapter 4: Myth No. 4: It Takes a Great Deal of Business Experience to Start a Successful Business; Truth No. 4: Successful Businesses Are Started by People with All Levels of Business Experience 67 Chapter 5: Myth No. 5: The Best Business Ideas Are Already Taken; Truth No. 5: There Are an Infinite Number of Possibilities for Good Business Ideas 87   Part II: Running and Growing a Business–Don't Underestimate Your Chances 111 Chapter 6: Myth No. 6: No One Can Compete Against Wal-Mart and the Other Big-Box Retailers; Truth No. 6: You Can Compete Against the Big-Box Retailers if You Have the Right Plan 113 Chapter 7: Myth No. 7: It’s Almost Impossible for a New Business to Get Noticed; Truth No. 7: There Are Many Ways for New Businesses to Get Noticed and Recognized 133 Chapter 8: Myth No. 8: The Internet Isn’t What It Was All Hyped Up to Be; Truth No. 8: The Are Many Legitimate and Enjoyable Ways to Make Money Online 157 Chapter 9: Myth No. 9: It’s Easy to Start a Business, But It’s Difficult and Stressful to Grow One; Truth No. 9: Businesses Can Be Grown Profitably and Enjoyably 179   Index 205  

About the Author :
Bruce R. Barringer, PhD is an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida. The author of two small business/entrepreneurship textbooks, Barringer’s work is read worldwide. He is also the author of the Wall Street Journal’s Entrepreneurship Weekly Review, which is distributed to small business and entrepreneurship teachers and students across the United States. R. Duane Ireland, PhD is Professor of Management and holds the Foreman R. and Ruby S. Bennett Chair in Business in the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. He is the author of entrepreneurship and strategic management textbooks that are widely sold throughout the world. He teaches entrepreneurship to executive MBA students and has consulted with a variety of small and large organizations.