The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart

by Maxine Clark, Amy Joyner (Contributor)

Build-A-Bear Workshop® is one of the most successful retailing concepts in recent history. Starting with just one location in 1997, the company now operates more than 200 stores worldwide. Leading the way is Maxine Clark, the company's founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Bear. Clark is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading and most creative entrepreneurs. In The Bear Necessities of Business, she reveals how she built this amazing global business from the ground up, while arming you with the tools you need to start, run, and market your own company in today's tough competitive environment. While primarily drawing on real-life experiences from Build-A-Bear Workshop®, Clark also offers wisdom gained throughout her entire thirty-plus-year career, including lessons and examples from some of the other great companies that do so much right. Straightforward and accessible, The Bear Necessities of Business is divided into seven parts, each built around an essential element that will allow you to stand apart from the crowd. The short, accessible chapters show you everything you need to: Best of all, these principles can be applied to any industry and are proven to work whether your target audience is children, teenagers, baby boomers, seniors, or any age in-between. Whether you're looking to start a new business, improve an existing one, be a better manager, or hire the best employees, The Bear Necessities of Business contains the insights and information you need to succeed. Even if you work for some-one else and have no plans to strike out on your own, you'll still benefit from the advice found in this book. After all, the best employees—and those who consistently rise to the top—are those who think like entrepreneurs!

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Biography

334 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Maxine Clark (née Kasselman) is founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, an American retailer that sells customizable teddy bears and other stuffed animals.

She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1971. She holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Louis University. In 2006, she published her first book “The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart”.

After college, she worked at Hecht's, a division of the May Company department store chain, and in 1976 was promoted to the corporate offices in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1992, Clark became the president of Payless Shoe Source, and left the company in 1996.

In addition to her Board service to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Maxine serves on the Board of Directors of Footlocker, Inc. Maxine serves on the Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis and is a member of the Executive Committee. She is a member of the Teach For America National Board and the local St. Louis regional board, the National Board of Donorschoose.org and the KETC Channel 9 PBS Board of Directors. She and her husband Bob Fox are founding donors of KIPP Inspire Academy and Maxine is the chair of the charter school advisory Board of Trustees. She is also a member of the Committee of 200 and is a former member of the Board of Directors of The J.C. Penney Company, Inc. Maxine is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Louis University. In 2006, she published her first book "The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart".

(Source: Wikipedia, Build-A-Bear Workshop®)

Reviews

[Caitlin Hadley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. If you are in the early stages of thinking of starting a business, this book is full of a lot of good general practical advice and things to keep on your radar. If you’re looking for more in depth business advice this book will not give you that. It was a very interesting read as far as learning about the origins of Build-A-Bear, and the ways Maxine chose to do things differently than others. This book was written in 2006 so there is a lot of advice that is outdated, but you can still find some takeaways in the spirit of the advice.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/09: The boys and I recently happened up a BAB store in the mall in Peoria. They were wowed by bears in Star Wars and super-hero costumes. I was impressed with how the associates adored working for the company. One associate was a gentleman my age supporting a family on his income. THIS was a company I wanted to learn more about. I don't care beans about business, but great psychology/theology/sociology is often taught in good business books.

Inside Cover:
Build-A-Bear Workshop is one of the most successful retailing concepts in recent history. Starting with just one location in 1997, the company now operates more than 200 stores worldwide. Leading the way is Maxine Clark, the company's founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Bear. Clark is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading and most creative entrepreneurs. In "The Bear Necessities of Business," she reveals how she built this amazing global business from the ground up, while arming you with the tools you need to start, run, and market your own company in today's tough competitive environment...

[Amanda Spacaj-Gorham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by the founder of Build-A-Bear, Maxine Clark, this book is an excellent introduction to basic business concepts for an inexperienced entrepreneur. The autobiographical structure inspires young people to relate to the business concepts introduced as potential steps they, themselves could take to start their own companies.

If I taught high-school, I'd make my students read it. As much as I like,"The Great Gatsby" (which is, eh-okay) I'd easily replace it with this book, giving the kids a basic concept of what small business are, how to grow one, and what the path looks like that can take you there.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I'm typically not a big fan of business books even though I'm a business consultant and have written a leadership book myself. The reason this book resonated with me is that it's like having a conversation with Maxine, who is a warm, engaging individual. She freely shares her lessons learned in an approachable fashion that is helpful to business owners and leaders. Maxine is quick to state these pointers are common sense, however they are also the insights gained from years in business. Best of all, she invites readers contact her directly if they still have questions after reading the book - and this isn't an idle invitation.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book quite a few years back. I still remember some of Clark's biggest takeaways, and would definitely be a great read for anyone looking to start a business. Not a very obvious book to pick up when thinking about starting a business, but Clark built this company and made it the millionaire dollar business it is today using heart and strategy.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxine Clark, CEO of Build-a-Bear Workshop, shares the story of her success and some great tips for building a business in this fantastic book. Though at times somewhat unorganized and slightly prideful, the business advice included is priceless and worth the read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book about six years ago and don't remember too many particulars However, what I do recall was the outstanding way in which Maxine Clark presented her company's philosophy and got everyone, right down to the sales associates, involved. It's past time for a re-read!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My bible for our toy store...I love Maxine Clark. (She's the founder and president of Build-a-Bear workshops)

[Dawn Hukai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Business insights from the founder of Build-a-Bear Workshop, Maxine Clark. Excellent advice for entrepreneurs and anyone interested in business or self-improvement.