The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future

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The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future

by Chris Guillebeau (Goodreads Author)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 3,032 ratings · 351 reviews

In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau shows you how to lead of life of adventure, meaning and purpose – and earn a good living.

Still in his early thirties, Chris is on the verge of completing a tour of every country on earth – he’s already visited more than 175 nations – and yet he’s never held a “real job” or earned a regular paycheck. Rather, he has a special genius fo...more In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau shows you how to lead of life of adventure, meaning and purpose – and earn a good living.

Still in his early thirties, Chris is on the verge of completing a tour of every country on earth – he’s already visited more than 175 nations – and yet he’s never held a “real job” or earned a regular paycheck. Rather, he has a special genius for turning ideas into income, and he uses what he earns both to support his life of adventure and to give back.

There are many others like Chris – those who’ve found ways to opt out of traditional employment and create the time and income to pursue what they find meaningful. Sometimes, achieving that perfect blend of passion and income doesn’t depend on shelving what you currently do. You can start small with your venture, committing little time or money, and wait to take the real plunge when you're sure it's successful.

In preparing to write this book, Chris identified 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from a modest investment (in many cases, $100 or less), and from that group he’s chosen to focus on the 50 most intriguing case studies. In nearly all cases, people with no special skills discovered aspects of their personal passions that could be monetized, and were able to restructure their lives in ways that gave them greater freedom and fulfillment.

Here, finally, distilled into one easy-to-use guide, are the most valuable lessons from those who’ve learned how to turn what they do into a gateway to self-fulfillment. It’s all about finding the intersection between your “expertise” – even if you don’t consider it such -- and what other people will pay for. You don’t need an MBA, a business plan or even employees. All you need is a product or service that springs from what you love to do anyway, people willing to pay, and a way to get paid.

Not content to talk in generalities, Chris tells you exactly how many dollars his group of unexpected entrepreneurs required to get their projects up and running; what these individuals did in the first weeks and months to generate significant cash; some of the key mistakes they made along the way, and the crucial insights that made the business stick. Among Chris’s key principles: if you’re good at one thing, you’re probably good at something else; never teach a man to fish – sell him the fish instead; and in the battle between planning and action, action wins.

In ancient times, people who were dissatisfied with their lives dreamed of finding magic lamps, buried treasure, or streets paved with gold. Today, we know that it’s up to us to change our lives. And the best part is, if we change our own life, we can help others change theirs. This remarkable book will start you on your way.(less)

Hardcover, 268 pages

Published May 8th 2012 by Crown Business (first published January 1st 2012)

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Jul 23, 2012 Mel Bradley rated it 2 of 5 stars

I am a big fan and follower of Chris Guillebeau, so my expectations for this book were a bit... high. It was a very quick read, but don't expect any big revelations or insider secrets here. This is a great glimpse into what is possible with a small investment, for people who have absolutely no experience in being an entrepreneur or online business owner. For everyone else, you'll find yourself rolling your eyes in quite a few places knowing that MOST of the story has been left out.

One of the mo...more

9 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2012 Dorothy R rated it 5 of 5 stars

From my Amazon Review:

"The $100 Startup" is a book that primarily focuses on moving past the barriers that we and others place in front of our desires. These barriers (not enough money, knowledge, experience, demand, etc.)make it easy for us to not go into business. Not going into business allows us not to fail. However, this self-protective instinct automatically allows us not to succeed either. The book encourages a quick, no-holds barred start-up, because the leap is what is often the most d...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 04, 2012 Dave Bolton rated it 2 of 5 stars

In the genre of "books that are actually long blog posts", this book really is the latest in "lean startup" type works, stripped back as far as it could go. Will anyone else in the lifestyle design/lean startup area be able to rip more meat from the bones of these ideas, leaving just a ten bullet point list?

Also, the case studies were not very useful -- very lightweight anecdotes.

It's not completely without value, but I don't personally know anyone I could recommend it for.

8 likes · like · see review

Mahmoud Which book would you recommend in the field of starting a business or standing independent?
Oct 21, 2012 02:37pm

Dave Bolton Mahmoud, great question, but also one that depends on the details. For instance, what field is the business in? Are you looking to stay solo, or grow...more
Oct 21, 2012 04:40pm

Mahmoud I'm a student in my second year Electronics Engineering Technology. Looking to start something in this field or its relative. Of course like any busin...more
Oct 21, 2012 05:02pm

Feb 22, 2013 Ole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: business

I think it' a good read. The $100 Startup shows up what's possible - but Guillebeau doens't really go further than that. The book can motivate you, but if you really want to know how to approach launching a startup, "Lean Startup" by Eric Ries (for the theory) and "Running Lean" by Ash Maurya (for applying the principle) are obligatory.
It didn't leave a lasting impression, but it's a good read nonetheless so i go with four stars.

1 like · like · see review

Mar 05, 2013 Janette Fuller rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

How much money do you need to start a business?

Chris Guillebeau believes that borrowing money to start a business is now completely optional. The quest for personal freedom lies in the pursuit of value for others. The author advises entrepreneurs "to focus on the point of convergence between what you love to do and what other people are willing to pay for".

This book is about people who start their own microbusinesses without investment, without employees, and often without much of an idea of wha...more

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May 04, 2013 Wiktor rated it 3 of 5 stars

Let's start with the good news:

Chris did a lot of good work reaching out to people who lived the $100 dream. And it shows. The book is full of stories - success and trial-and-error accounts of people who made it, are making it or hope to make it very soon.
This leads to the book's greatest strength: its relentless optimism. From the funky-looking cover on to the last page, the go-getter spirit shines through, propelling you from chapter to chapter and making this a very enjoyable read.
Chris doesn...more Let's start with the good news:

Chris did a lot of good work reaching out to people who lived the $100 dream. And it shows. The book is full of stories - success and trial-and-error accounts of people who made it, are making it or hope to make it very soon.
This leads to the book's greatest strength: its relentless optimism. From the funky-looking cover on to the last page, the go-getter spirit shines through, propelling you from chapter to chapter and making this a very enjoyable read.
Chris doesn't just stop with the stories: the re-cap boxes and the additional resources are a nice addition, breaking the rhythm which would otherwise become a bit too repetitive.
So far, then - an upbeat pep-talk of a book with some genuine examples of how to make your startup happen. All good?

Well, not quite. There are a few ways in which this book doesn't quite live up to the expectations.

The title - to a self-help-savvy reader - will immediately bring "The 4-Hour Workweek" to mind: there's a cool number there, a sellable idea - and three big promises before the title finishes. It would have been great if the rest of the book carried on in the 4HWW spirit - heck, Chris Guillebeau could be the one to out-Ferriss Tim Ferriss!
Unfortunately, something opposite tends to happen. The ego-driven uber-geek behind 4HWW is replaced by a crowdsourcing crowd-pleaser in "The $100 Startup" - and the book loses its edge. Unconventional solutions are nowhere to be found - instead, expect crowd wisdom and best practices. Similarly, it's a bit more difficult to relate to the stories gathered by Chris - a story of "how Mr X became an entrepreneur" is just not as fascinating as "how I stopped being an entrepreneur."

The "New Future" described in the book is a wonderful, amazing thing - and it's good to see that Chris Guillebeau managed to capture the wonder and the amazement in the multitude of voices he gathered. The only thing that's lacking in the book is, ironically, something the author certainly shares with the entrepreneurs he describes: the grittiness, the edge, the uncompromising courage that could let them say (but not write, not here, alas): "this is my advice. This is how I roll. Nobody does it better. Take it or leave it."

Pick up this book for the spirit and the motivation. Put it down if it's focused advice that you're after.(less)

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Apr 13, 2013 Farnoosh Brock rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: business-spirit

There's always a more perfect time in your life that you wish you had read the books that cross your path. This is how I fel about The $100 Startup - I wish I had read it - or rather, I wish Chris had written it - about 5 years ago when I was still stumbling around, lost and confused and disillusioned with Corporate America, and beyond discouraged about doing anything I could love.

The Corporate America culture is brilliant at shunning any ideas of creativity and innovation and certainly not enc...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Greg Webb rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: business, personal-development, non-fiction, entrepreneurship

As a fan of Chris Guillebeau, a customer of James Kirk (Jamestown Java) and an aspiring location independent entrepreneur, I was expecting to love this book. Then the hype machine fired up and my anticipation and expectations grew...

It's not a bad book, it's just not entirely what I was hoping for. I was -> this <- close to giving it 4-stars, but felt the depth with which the case studies were described was way too shallow. That's what I wanted with this book! I wanted to read the trials a...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Matthew Trinetti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Thirteen Take-Aways

1. When brainstorming business ideas, use the principle of Convergence.
"Convergence represents the intersection between something you especially like to do or are good at doing (preferably both) and what other people are also interested in."

2. Building a business structured around your desired lifestyle is possible.
Although it may seem like a pipe dream to most people working in corporate jobs, Chris shows this is possible. He identifies 1,500 individuals like himself who have...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 07, 2012 Tami rated it 2 of 5 stars

I really wanted to love this book. For being an inspirational title, I think it did already. It's gotten me to scheme about my grand plan to set myself free someday from working for others and start devising a business plan. However, I don't actually think reading it got me any closer to doing it.

The examples shared were lovely, but they're just quick snippets of what the person's business is. Telling me that John Doe quit his corporate job and now helps business people schedule vacations and pl...more

11 likes · like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Alain Burrese rated it 4 of 5 stars

"The $100 Startup: Reinvent The Way You Make A Living, Do What You Love, And Create A New Future" by Chris Guillebeau is an interesting and informative book for those who are or want to be entrepreneurs. It is not about a specific business that you can start for $100, but rather a book about a new model of doing business that the author calls a microbusiness revolution, or a way of earning a good living while crafting a life of independence and purpose.

The two themes in the book are freedom and...more "The $100 Startup: Reinvent The Way You Make A Living, Do What You Love, And Create A New Future" by Chris Guillebeau is an interesting and informative book for those who are or want to be entrepreneurs. It is not about a specific business that you can start for $100, but rather a book about a new model of doing business that the author calls a microbusiness revolution, or a way of earning a good living while crafting a life of independence and purpose.

The two themes in the book are freedom and value. The author states that we are all looking for freedom and value is the way to achieve it. The book is then filled with case studies of people who have done just that. They have obtained freedom through creating value for others. While the author uses personal examples, he also uses many examples from the research he's done on people who have created businesses, with little start up costs, but provided value to others in a way that enabled them to grow the business and provide the lifestyle they desired.

Make no mistake, this is not a get rich quick book. Building a business takes work, and lots of it. However, the author believes (and so do I) that you can transition to a meaningful life oriented toward something you love to do and make money doing it. Others have done it, and this book shows the path they took. The author's premise is that you can also follow this path to create the freedom you crave.

The book is divided into three parts, the first, "Unexpected Entrepreneurs" contains five chapters that deal with Renaissance, Give Them the Fish, Follow You Passion...Maybe, The Rise of the Roaming Entrepreneur, and The New Demographics. There is some good advice in these chapters, especially in regards to figuring out what you will do, and how not everything will be a great business. Reality checking is important.

Part Two, "Taking It To The Streets" has five chapters that deal with The One-Page Business Plan, An Offer You Can't Refuse, Launch, Hustling: The Gentle Art of Self-Promotion, and Show Me the Money. One of the things I really liked in part two was the motivation to act. Planning is important and good, but you must act. The author shares his one-page business plan worksheet.

The third part, "Leverage And Next Steps" contains the final four chapters on Moving On Up, How to Franchise Yourself, going Long, and But What If I Fail? Again, this part has some good information for some people in certain businesses. My favorite line was at the end of the book when the author says the most important lesson in the whole book is "Don't waste your time living someone else's life.

The book also points to on-line resources to help further the guidance this book provides. Overall, I found the book motivating, and containing some valuable information for the would be entrepreneur who wants more freedom. The world is changing and the way people do business is changing. This book will help you ride the wave of that change.

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Sep 11, 2012 Clare Herbert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chris Guillebeau’s ‘The $100 Startup’ has been everywhere this summer. It’s topped bestseller lists, toured both the real world and the blog world and was the motivation behind the $100,000 giveaway at this year’s World Domination Summit.

By the time my copy arrived, I was sure it couldn’t live up to the hype. But I shouldn’t have doubted Chris’ ability to deliver value in the guise of a great story. This is a book about pragmatism and aspiration. It’s about starting a business based on value and...more Chris Guillebeau’s ‘The $100 Startup’ has been everywhere this summer. It’s topped bestseller lists, toured both the real world and the blog world and was the motivation behind the $100,000 giveaway at this year’s World Domination Summit.

By the time my copy arrived, I was sure it couldn’t live up to the hype. But I shouldn’t have doubted Chris’ ability to deliver value in the guise of a great story. This is a book about pragmatism and aspiration. It’s about starting a business based on value and freedom, and doing it with limited start-up capital and very few stakeholders.

The author conducted a long term study of 50 microbusiness from all over the world. Some were online information based businesses (including online courses like Mondo Beyondo, the annual 72-hour sale and consultants in getting the best out of Excel). Others were real-world businesses, selling mattresses, coffee, horse-riding tours and yoga classes.

In all cases, the same principles apply. The book is sub-divided into:

Part I: Unexpected Entrepreneurs. Converting your skills into products & services, what & how to sell, location independence and the new demographics of profiling customers
Part II: Taking it to the Streets. Writing a one page business plan, how to frame a great offer, launching your business, hustling and raising money.
Part III: Leverage and Next Steps. How to expand your reach, increase your prices, and grow your business to the size you want. Also, failure.

The $100 Startup is thoroughly researched, but deftly written. Unlike many ‘business books’, it’s a fantastic story well-told and is eminently readable. (I powered through it in less than 24 hours.) It’s complete, authoritative and nuanced in it’s discussion of the challenges and opportunities in creating modern micro-business. It’s key strength is it’s actionability. Packed with checklists and downloadable worksheets, you can customize this book to math your business.

The motivational kick in this book comes from the businesses profiled. Many of them accidental entrepreneurs, The $100 Startup chronicles ordinary people creating businesses that make a difference and give them a good living.

If you have even the smallest entrepreneurial bone in your body, this book will light you up. Although it perhaps makes success seem a little too easy, it’s a fantastically pragmatic guide to creating a business that delivers value and freedom. It spotlights a new way of doing business: by iterating and experimenting to see what works, adding value and connecting to consumers.

A must read for all entrepreneurs, be they successful or wannabes.(less)

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Sep 06, 2012 Quincy marked it as to-read

Shelves: biz-reads

From The Daily Muse:
http://www.thedailymuse.com/entrepren...
As it turns out, you don’t have to be a trust-fund baby, on the hook for a business loan, or just plain old lucky to start your very own enterprise (there goes that excuse). Guillebeau gives rousing examples of somewhat-accidental entrepreneurs making success out of strife, opportunity, and circumstances—mostly by turning a passion or hobby into something that can be profitable, and always by starting for less than most of us invested i...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Tom Burke rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a small business entrepreneur, I was immediately taken by this title. I am struggling to make it as an online marketer in this challenging economic climate. The thought of a $100 startup hit home.

Then I started reading. Wow. So many simple ideas brought together in one place. I had heard most of this before but Guillebeau ties them all together in a neat package. All of it was relevant to me.

From knowing what you want to do with your life to understanding the importance of "taking it to the...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Two years ago I would never have considered calling myself an entrepreneur. Now I'm starting a business with two friends, and although there hasn't been a lot of cash flow yet, we're having a great time and learning a lot.

I'm the reader and researcher of the three of us, and this book was my latest find. Guillebeau has done a tremendous amount of research and interviewing entrepreneurs who have left the daily grind to step out on their own. There are many stories in which the business is run onl...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first picked this book up, I thought it would be about how to start a small business on little or no money. That was not the case, and in fact, I wasn't sure I would even finish the entire book. But it turned out to be much more.

The $100 Start Up is really an inspiring guide to stepping out on your own, doing what you love, without fear, (your own, or)of what others might say. (You know who I'm talking about, the nay-sayers).

Throughout the book, the author interviews various entrepreneurs...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Phil rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Phil by: Michael Hanna

This was recommended to me by Michael Hanna, a former media colleague who now owns and runs The Mattress Lot in Portland. His story opens the book.

The $100 Startup is a very interesting and eye-opening read: many of the people featured just got going with something rather than giving it a great deal of advanced study.

The book would have benefited by going deeper into each story -- I wanted more about exactly HOW some of them got started, what obstacles they met along the way, and how they overc...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 16, 2012 Tom rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, entrepreneurship

An interesting, at times inspirational, but uneven look at entrepreneurship in the Internet age. Guillebeau is an unabashed cheerleader of small business as a pathway to freedom, and his personal story (as well as some of the people profiled) is truly impressive. For those who are able to find a passion they can extract money from, The $100 Startup provides evidence that it can be done.

However, the book's methods seem to open it up to a major selection-bias problem. That is, he issued surveys an...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Chris Guillebeau is well-known for his desire to go to every country on the planet before his 35th birthday (on track to do so), and his website, The Art of Non-Conformity. At the website, he offers up travel wisdom and products to help his readers make the jump from corporate slave to entrepreneur. His latest book is an expansion on this idea.

The book is well-written and easily understood; more conversation than how-to. He makes the idea of starting your own business - any type of business - no...more

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May 29, 2012 Sherrod rated it 4 of 5 stars

So what do you call Chris Guillebeau? Writer? World-traveler? Publisher of the blog The Art of Non-Conformity? Well, all of those would be apt, but they only scratch the surface. With this, his second book after the phenomenal The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World, he cements his status as entrepreneur, teacher, and inspiration.

The $100 Startup covers the "how-to" for those inclined to transform an idea into a profitable business. Fortunately...more So what do you call Chris Guillebeau? Writer? World-traveler? Publisher of the blog The Art of Non-Conformity? Well, all of those would be apt, but they only scratch the surface. With this, his second book after the phenomenal The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World, he cements his status as entrepreneur, teacher, and inspiration.

The $100 Startup covers the "how-to" for those inclined to transform an idea into a profitable business. Fortunately, this is not just a book of theory on what should work. These are methods proven to work for the author and many others possessed of the entrepreneurial mindset.

Chris gives you actionable guidelines that are drawn from his own experience building a successful enterprise. As well he pulls his data from exhaustive research conducted over years of interviews and profiles of 1,500 self-starters who have built fruitful operations for themselves.

On top of dozens of case studies provided in the book, there is in-depth, specific information on how to handle everything from writing a business plan (hint: it rarely takes more than a single page) to a step-by-step blueprint for initiating a product launch. Each chapter covers a different aspect of getting started. The main take-aways from the book are in the areas of marketing, fund-raising, and motivation.

While the title is catchy, the truth of the matter is that some of the businesses profiled did cost more than $100 to start up, but the biggest percentage of them cost LESS than $100 with $125 being the median. So, any arguments you may have about a lack of money, a lack of experience, or a lack of incentive will be addressed by this book. And to make sure that you don't miss out on the lessons he's teaching you, Chris gives you a summary of key points to take away at the end of each chapter.

If you've got (approximately) a hundred bucks and a desire to master your own financial and occupational fate, this book is a good place to begin. It gives you the instruction you need to replicate the success of others. The actual work is up to you. Get the book and get started!
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May 29, 2012 Werner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: entrepreneurship

If you want to break away from the hassle of the cubicle nation, starting your day to the shrill sound of an alarm clock, commuting in traffic, having others control your time and dictating what your income will be, then The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau, is for you.

More than 1,500 entrepreneurial start ups were considered for inclusion in the book. They had to meet the following criteria:
1. They had to make at lea...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Brendan added it

Shelves: 2013

There wasn't a whole lot in here that you wouldn't find in any other basic business/startup book. That said, this is probably the best of its type that you could hope to find. Why? Because of the research that went into it.

It's clear that Guillebau knows his stuff and cares about the subject matter. I think what sets this apart though is the lengths that the author went to to illustrate that you can make a business 1) based on your personal interests in hobbies and 2) with very little up front...more

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May 16, 2013 Chad Butler rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If I could give it three and a half stars, I would; but three stars would be too low, so I give it four.

This is a pretty good book on microbusiness. And there are some good ideas and case studies here. However, my reason for a lower rating is twofold.

First, while there are a lot of case studies and examples of both online and "brick-and-mortar" businesses, pretty much all of Chris Guillebeau's personal advice and examples revolve around online business. That would be great if the book were calle...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Starfire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, business, leveling-mt-tbr-one-title-at-a-time, 7-10

Not a bad book to choose to get me back into reading non-fiction this year - it's not too dense or technical (which, I grant you, seems to be one of the criticisms of it), but still does a nice line in both inspiration and information.

I particularly liked (and will probably repeatedly refer back to) the launch checklist, and the one-page partnership agreement.

I found the section on hustling seriously irritating - mainly because it started with the phrase "advertising is like sex - only losers p...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Jim Razinha rated it 3 of 5 stars

First: my wife bought this, read it and liked it. She wanted me to read it. So I did. I found 15% substance, 83% anecdote (examples, case studies, choose your definition), and 2% vapor. Needs more "how" to be really useful, and Guillebeau shortchanged the "how" he did write, though there were a couple of good resources found on his website...

Another thing irritated me: quotes obviously taken from some unsourced site like brainyquotes.com. Any discerning reader would immediately see that Karl Mar...more

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Nov 29, 2012 Vago Damitio rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people with gumption

A great book, worth the money if you'll use the advice. Not for everyone. Definitely well marketed and offers some great lessons for those willing to take the plunge, but, here's the catch - that's not something most people are willing or able to do. I found it to be well worth the money, but if you are looking for a way to actually make a $100 startup, you will have to do more than just read this book.

It doesn't matter how many times people say "I did it and so can you," - the fact is, it's pro...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Noah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Totally inspiring. 4.5 stars. The author knows that people's biggest problem with attempting self-employment is fear. So no, this isn't some boring book about writing a business plan--though he does have a great take on a one-page business plan--instead he's going after the more fundamental. Trying to show you example after example of folks who put themselves out there, exercised courage, worked hard, and were rewarded.

My favorite story was the guy who said he wasn't sure what the problem with h...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, 12-in-2012, inspiration

I met Chris Guillebeau at a book signing for $100 Startup at Changing Hands in Tempe, AZ. He's as down-to-earth as his writing! Except for those awesome, blue suede shoes. They were show-stoppers.

This book took me a couple days of light reading. It's very readable, but still manages to be packed with info. The sidebars and templates (ex: the One-Page Business Plan, or the Instant Consulting Biz template) were great. I haven't checked the accompanying website, but it sounds like it will be a grea...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Saleh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-book-currently-listening

الكتاب يتمحور عن فكرة مقتنع بها المؤلف وهي بداية نشاط تجاري (متناهي الصغر) من شيء انت تحبه وبرأس مال لا يتعدى بضعة مئات الدولارات.

الكتاب يقع في ١٦ فصل اغلبها تتناول كيفية مبسطة لبدء النشاط وإدارته من قبل شخص واحد او حتى اثنان في البداية، وبجانب كل فكرة وكل أداة مطروحة قصة واقعية معاصرة وناجحة او حتى استمرت لتعمل ولم تفشل.

الكاتب يحاول إقناع القاري بان النشاط التجاري قد لا يتطلب اكثر من ان تبدأ فقط، وتبدأ في شيء انت تحب منارسته وتجيده وان كنت تجد في نفسك حب لشيا واحد وتتقنه فغالبا سيكون هنالك شيء...more
الكتاب يتمحور عن فكرة مقتنع بها المؤلف وهي بداية نشاط تجاري (متناهي الصغر) من شيء انت تحبه وبرأس مال لا يتعدى بضعة مئات الدولارات.

الكتاب يقع في ١٦ فصل اغلبها تتناول كيفية مبسطة لبدء النشاط وإدارته من قبل شخص واحد او حتى اثنان في البداية، وبجانب كل فكرة وكل أداة مطروحة قصة واقعية معاصرة وناجحة او حتى استمرت لتعمل ولم تفشل.

الكاتب يحاول إقناع القاري بان النشاط التجاري قد لا يتطلب اكثر من ان تبدأ فقط، وتبدأ في شيء انت تحب منارسته وتجيده وان كنت تجد في نفسك حب لشيا واحد وتتقنه فغالبا سيكون هنالك شيء اخر تجيده.

الكتاب أعطى قصص جميلة ومفيدة وحاضرة ومعاصرة وبسيطة جدا ولكنها حققت شيء جيدا من الأرباح خاصة انها لم تكلف صاحبها في البداية الا بضعة دولارات.

الكاتب يعطي تعليمات في كتابه لبعض التقنيات او الطرق في ادارة النشاط ويرفق مع كتابه وموقعه الإلكتروني قوالب لبعض هذه القوائم التي تستخدم في الحياة العملية.

من الأشياء التي أعجبتني في الكتاب هو تركيزه على التسويق والبيع عبر الإنترنت وكيفية التعامل مع المتاجر الإلكترونية وماهية طرق الشراء والبيع والعديد من الأمور التي تخص المتاجر الإلكترونية حتى لو لم تكن لك سابق معرفة بالإنترنت والبيع والشراء فيها.

انصح بقراءة الكتاب او كما في حالتي استمعت له p:
الكتاب فعلا مفيد لمن يرغب في بدء نشاط تجاري او حتى لم يفكر في بدء نشاط تجاري في حياته.

بكل اختصار الكتاب جيد ومفيد.(less)

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Feb 23, 2013 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone looking to start a small or micro business

Shelves: kindle-edition

Having read, and enjoyed, Chris Guillebeau's (pronounced Gil-Bow) first book, The Art of Non-Conformity I was looking forward to reading his latest The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future. Back in the mid 90s, I was able to realize a long-time dream of starting my own graphic design business. And while I defied the odds of most new businesses by surviving 7 years, I also made a lot of rookie mistakes as a business owner. So this book falls...more

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