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The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build, or Manage a Business
Martha Stewart is an undeniable force in the business world. One of the world's greatest entrepreneurs, she turned her personal passion into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, a billion dollar business. This Fall she's breaking new ground with two television shows from NBC--her reality show "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart "and her daytime syndicated show "Martha"--as well as...more
Hardcover, 205 pages
Published
October 11th 2005
by Rodale Press
(first published October 1st 2005)
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I'm not a huge Martha Stewart fan and picked this book up more for her advice / ideas but it definitely helped me gain some new respect for her. It's easy to read yet still helps you think critically about your new business. The thing that kept this review from 5 stars is her name dropping and product placement. Between THAT junk though there is a lot of sound advice in this book. I especially loved the chapters that went over creating your vision statement and taking risks, NOT chances!! An inc...more
Rule 1
Build your Business success around something that you love- Something that is inherently and endlessly interesting to you.
• Analyze your own interests, strengths weakness and desires. Research in a serious way the job field which you believe you might want to work.
• Do not confuse enthusiasm for passion.
Rule 2
Focus your attention and creativity on basic things, things that people need and want, then look for ways to enlarge, improve and enhance your BIG IDEA.
• Begin to focus on a goal, th...more
Build your Business success around something that you love- Something that is inherently and endlessly interesting to you.
• Analyze your own interests, strengths weakness and desires. Research in a serious way the job field which you believe you might want to work.
• Do not confuse enthusiasm for passion.
Rule 2
Focus your attention and creativity on basic things, things that people need and want, then look for ways to enlarge, improve and enhance your BIG IDEA.
• Begin to focus on a goal, th...more
Hands down, the BEST business book that I have ever read (and I've read quite a few). This one is an easy read, the advice is practical and very easy to apply to any venture and doesn't make you feel dumb for not having already figured this stuff out. I would highly recommend this book for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Martha's business skills and infused with how she made herself into a brand name. She has come up with 10 things that are important to her in becoming successful in business:
(table of contents lists them)
1) What's passion got to do with it
2) Ask yourself, what's the big deal?
3) Get a telescope a wide-angle lens and a microscope
4) Teach so you can learn
5) All dressed up and ready to go
6) Quality is everything
7) Build an A-team
8) Sp the pie isn't perfect? Cut it into wedges
9) Take risks, not chan...more
(table of contents lists them)
1) What's passion got to do with it
2) Ask yourself, what's the big deal?
3) Get a telescope a wide-angle lens and a microscope
4) Teach so you can learn
5) All dressed up and ready to go
6) Quality is everything
7) Build an A-team
8) Sp the pie isn't perfect? Cut it into wedges
9) Take risks, not chan...more
I was actually surprised at how interesting this book was....Solely because most celebrities that write books aren't the best authors. I do not have a home to remodel, decorate or entertain in, so I am not so familiar with most of Martha Stewart's target areas. However, in a business sense, I thought this book was really good as far as offering many tips and strategies in succeeding in business. Kudos to Martha Stewart for not being repetitive, or dragging out one point and turning it in to babb...more
May 14, 2012
Jacelyn
added it
Having just finished the book, I must say that I feel like I've just left a self-help/personal-empowerment seminar.
Martha explains her ten rules for entrepreneurial success, including (and here I paraphrase) 'be passionate', 'be thoughtful', 'be an expert in your area', 'surround yourself with smarties', and 'take calculated risks'. She peppers her explanations with the true stories of successful business people who have gone before us to make their big ideas into reality, some of which were act...more
Martha explains her ten rules for entrepreneurial success, including (and here I paraphrase) 'be passionate', 'be thoughtful', 'be an expert in your area', 'surround yourself with smarties', and 'take calculated risks'. She peppers her explanations with the true stories of successful business people who have gone before us to make their big ideas into reality, some of which were act...more
Heavens be praised! I finally finished this book! OK, here is who should not read The Martha Rules:
Serious entrepreneurs who are interested in investing their time in learning really solid facts and absorbing expert advice.
Here is who could read The Martha Rules without feeling like their time has totally been wasted:
Martha Stewart fans/apologists/anthropologists who find the woman fascinating and love to hear her deadpan about her time in Alderson, her early days as an entrepreneur, and her pla...more
Serious entrepreneurs who are interested in investing their time in learning really solid facts and absorbing expert advice.
Here is who could read The Martha Rules without feeling like their time has totally been wasted:
Martha Stewart fans/apologists/anthropologists who find the woman fascinating and love to hear her deadpan about her time in Alderson, her early days as an entrepreneur, and her pla...more
If you're looking for undiluted Martha biz-wisdom here, you'll be better off waiting for the memoirs she'll write when she's too old and entrenched to care what anyone thinks about her, her company, or her lifestyle. However, this book is a good broad-brush overview of what constitutes "business well done."
There are no real biz building particulars here. Lots of low-hanging fruit, though, like "Follow your passions" and "pay attention to your customers." If you need to hear Martha say it before...more
There are no real biz building particulars here. Lots of low-hanging fruit, though, like "Follow your passions" and "pay attention to your customers." If you need to hear Martha say it before...more
Let me begin by saying that I really don't care for Martha Stewart. I respect her, of course. Anyone who can endure a criminal trial and within less than a year after being released from jail can be in a much stronger position than before jail, has some serious business skills. There are some aspects of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia that I enjoy, but in general, Martha Stewart...Well, Martha Stewart makes me want to renounce cooking, home decorating, and crafting.
That said, I thoroughly enjoye...more
That said, I thoroughly enjoye...more
Just started this one. Martha's book she wrote while in prison about how to start a business. One thing I recommend is not lying about your stock trades or inside tips, Martha! The woman does seem to know how to make a few million, however. Probably a good time for me to read this as I contemplate career changes, further education or reincarnating myself as a writer.
I finished this book last week and I really enjoyed it. It reinforced a lot of what I already knew so it was very self validating....more
I finished this book last week and I really enjoyed it. It reinforced a lot of what I already knew so it was very self validating....more
I wouldn't say there was a lot of "advice" in here that isn't just Basic Common Sense. But it's still fun to hear about all the different things Martha has tried (read: been successful at), as well as to hear her approve of other people's business ideas. I got the sense that, if I knew her, she'd be very supportive of my new business idea, in a harsh, critical and down-to-earth, "Martha" kind of way. Unfortunately, I don't know her. :(
Best part was that this was a quick read!
Best part was that this was a quick read!
Without a doubt, Martha Stewart is one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in America and her words should be considered when embarking on the journey of starting a business. In this book she covers ten rules that summarize what helped her to become a successful businesswoman. I found it be an overview of important pieces which are needed within the mosaic of entrepreneurial success. More depth and other pieces are needed, and can be found in other texts.
Never thought I'd see the day I picked this book up, but hey-if you want to learn about world domination, why waste time on anyone other than a media maven of epic caliber? Sometimes I feel a bit freakish about having high standards, but Martha put those feelings aside for a "here's where that can take you in business" approach. And in a rarely seen move, she shares her methods for keeping her cool and improvising when things don't go as anticipated. Great stuff, all in all. I have a new appreci...more
I LOVE Martha Stewart. As I'm in the process of helping my sister start her own business, I picked this up in the bookstore today to see what one of the world's most succesful self-made businesswomen had to say about the process. Not only was this book helpful, it was also inspirational. Martha has always been great at helping people achieve the lifestyle they aspire to, and this book continues her tradition of teaching and guiding. She talks a great deal about the people who've helped her, not...more
Aug 13, 2008
Liz
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those interested in powerful women or business.
I must admit, I have been interested in Martha Stewart for such a long time. It's amazing to me that she built this brand and business in one lifetime. I remember when the company became "Omnimedia", and it seemed so strange to me. "Omnimedia" seemed waaay to big a scope for a company about cakes and crafts. Now of course, I see how wrong I was... how wrong everyone was.
The book should be called, 'How Martha Runs Her Business'. Its as much about the woman as it is the business. She's smart, driv...more
The book should be called, 'How Martha Runs Her Business'. Its as much about the woman as it is the business. She's smart, driv...more
A book from a woman who has learned some valuable life lessons and passes them on to others. A great encouragement to all entrepreneurs.
Martha Stewart also reads the audiobook version- I love listening to authors read their books, and Stewart does not disappoint.
Martha Stewart also reads the audiobook version- I love listening to authors read their books, and Stewart does not disappoint.
This is a book you would want to keep with you all the time as you start, establish, build, and grow your own business. It helped me realized what type of business I should go into - a business should start out of Passion and should continue with Beauty!!!!
Excellent book and even better business advice! Passion, creativity, and objectivity are essential characteristics for any entrepreneur. Create a Big Idea you and your customers can believe in, will make life better, and can grow.
A quick read with some cute anecdotes, but not as insightful as I had hoped. However, it did make me admire Martha for all that she has accomplished in spite of the adversity she's faced.
Excellent book on pursuing what you love to do. Definitely worth the read. In her career she has baked the cake that people most want to eat in a unique and differentiated way.
One of the best business books I have read in a long while. I would suggest this book to women who want to start a business. Lots of useful info for everyone though. Employee or business owner.
This was a great book. Well written, informative, and entertaining. People either love Martha or hate her, but you have to admit she is one hard-working smart cookie. Although I don't believe for a minute that she knows everything she professes to know on her TV shows (who wouldn't look smart with a staff of hundreds supporting them?), I do admire her in many ways, and she drives me crazy in many ways. But this book? It's a Good Thing.
This book was very readable. I picked it up for a challenge. Martha is not my favorite person, but she did have some good points. I don't think that I'd recommend this one though.
A business-sense book that didn't put me to sleep, Martha lays out some really valuable basic strategies and tips to running a business. A lot of her ideas are also applicable to my 9 to 5.
Quick read and somewhat helpful. It was too autobiographical at times and I felt like I could have gotten more depth from another book.
The book made me a Martha fan. She stayed focused and driven in the face of adversity, even seeking out opportunities while in jail. The book gives some very interesting anecdotes and gives motivating- but quite general - concepts for success.
Interesting. I didn't always agree with her, but I don't plan to start my own business, so it doesn't matter.
I really found this book easy to read through, as it was very enlightenting and encouraging at the same time.
Better than you might expect. This is practical advice from a savvy, tough just-out-of-prison Martha.
A should-read book on entrepreneurship for knowledge workers and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Martha Stewart is an American business magnate, author, editor and homemaking advocate. She is also a former stockbroker and fashion model. Over the last two decades Stewart has held a prominent position in the American publishing industry; as the author of several books, hundreds of articles on the domestic arts, editor of a national homekeeping magazine, host for two popular daytime television p...more
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Sep 11, 2012 10:38am