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Growing a Business
Paul Hawken demonstrates that the answers to small business problems today cannot be solved by college degrees, training or money—but only by you.
Nearly everyone harbors a secret dream of starting or owning a business. In fact, a million businesses start in the United States every year. Many of them fail, but enough succeed so that small businesses are now adding millions of jobs to the economy at the same time that the Fortune 500 companies are actually losing jobs.
Paul Hawken—entrepreneur and bestselling author—wrote Growing a Business for those who set out to make their dream a reality. He knows what he's talking about; he is his own best example of success. In the early 1970s, while he was still in his twenties, he founded Erewhon, the largest distributor of natural foods. More recently, he founded and still runs Smith & Hawken, the premier mail-order garden tool company. And he wrote a critically acclaimed book called The Next Economy about the future of the economy.
Using examples like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream, and University National Bank of Palo Alto, California, Hawken shows that the successful business is an expression of an individual person. The most successful business, your idea for a business, will grow from something that is deep within you, something that can't be stolen by anyone because it is so uniquely yours that anyone else who tried to execute your idea would fail. He dispels the myth of the risk-taking entrepreneur. The purpose of business, he points out, is not to take risks but rather to get something done.
Nearly everyone harbors a secret dream of starting or owning a business. In fact, a million businesses start in the United States every year. Many of them fail, but enough succeed so that small businesses are now adding millions of jobs to the economy at the same time that the Fortune 500 companies are actually losing jobs.
Paul Hawken—entrepreneur and bestselling author—wrote Growing a Business for those who set out to make their dream a reality. He knows what he's talking about; he is his own best example of success. In the early 1970s, while he was still in his twenties, he founded Erewhon, the largest distributor of natural foods. More recently, he founded and still runs Smith & Hawken, the premier mail-order garden tool company. And he wrote a critically acclaimed book called The Next Economy about the future of the economy.
Using examples like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream, and University National Bank of Palo Alto, California, Hawken shows that the successful business is an expression of an individual person. The most successful business, your idea for a business, will grow from something that is deep within you, something that can't be stolen by anyone because it is so uniquely yours that anyone else who tried to execute your idea would fail. He dispels the myth of the risk-taking entrepreneur. The purpose of business, he points out, is not to take risks but rather to get something done.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
57 people are currently reading
5893 people want to read
About the author
Paul Hawken
41 books339 followersPaul Gerard Hawken is an American environmentalist, entrepreneur, author, economist, and activist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 2, 2009
When I decided to start my own business, I have bought a couple of books on starting a small business.
I did not expect that reading books will solve all my problems, but I have figured that they will answer some questions, and give some ideas.
Growing a business was so far my favourite.
Plain language, no jargon, no buzzwords, simple examples.
The fact that it was first published in 1987 should not scare you away. The ideas and concepts are so basic and so eternal that time will hardly change them.
First of all, the title. Growing a business. Not building, creating, but growing. It makes it clear that a business needs constant care from the moment you plant the seed, even when - or if - it grows into a mighty tree.
Then come the chapters, filled with common sense, anti-hype titles and contents.
Be careful,you may succeed. Too much money is worse than too little. Size is no longer and advantage. If it's a good idea, it's too late. Plan to fail.
The book looks at different and important aspects of business: the business idea, ownership, how to get funding, business plans, and more.
A full, complete book, one that you can read more than one time.
And all in plain, everyday English.
I did not expect that reading books will solve all my problems, but I have figured that they will answer some questions, and give some ideas.
Growing a business was so far my favourite.
Plain language, no jargon, no buzzwords, simple examples.
The fact that it was first published in 1987 should not scare you away. The ideas and concepts are so basic and so eternal that time will hardly change them.
First of all, the title. Growing a business. Not building, creating, but growing. It makes it clear that a business needs constant care from the moment you plant the seed, even when - or if - it grows into a mighty tree.
Then come the chapters, filled with common sense, anti-hype titles and contents.
Be careful,you may succeed. Too much money is worse than too little. Size is no longer and advantage. If it's a good idea, it's too late. Plan to fail.
The book looks at different and important aspects of business: the business idea, ownership, how to get funding, business plans, and more.
A full, complete book, one that you can read more than one time.
And all in plain, everyday English.
November 14, 2010
Great book - my fave outakes:
The innovative mind is nurtured by experience
Being a good human being is good business
Entreprenurial ideas spring from a deep immersion in some occupation, hobby, or other pursuit. Spurred by something missing in the worls, the entreprenuer begins to think about and envision a product or service, or a change in the existing product or service. The entrepreneur is often the first one to spot the opening, and if things work out that person will have a successful business.
...a good business enhances the lives of all who work within it, and enriches the lives of all those who are touched by it.
Being in business is not about making money. It is a way to become who you are.
To find the beginning, reduce your business idea to it's apparent essence...when proper order is correctly identified a business is almost failure proof. Don't cut a since corner along the way....the beginning determines all that follows.
The moment you enter the world of business - as a provider, not merely a consumer - you will have a hundred opportunities a day to act beneficailly or wrongly, to deal with people fairly or otherwise, to enhance your social environment or pollute it.
Business is people. Expect the unexpected.
A good school makes learning into a game, engaging everyone, excluding no one, honoring all, ridiculing none.
Meaningful involvement in the function. informed. change.learn. practice. ideas. intelligence. creativity. imagination. dreams. hunger.. quality, trust.
with most activities there is no presumption of excellence in the begining.
The innovative mind is nurtured by experience
Being a good human being is good business
Entreprenurial ideas spring from a deep immersion in some occupation, hobby, or other pursuit. Spurred by something missing in the worls, the entreprenuer begins to think about and envision a product or service, or a change in the existing product or service. The entrepreneur is often the first one to spot the opening, and if things work out that person will have a successful business.
...a good business enhances the lives of all who work within it, and enriches the lives of all those who are touched by it.
Being in business is not about making money. It is a way to become who you are.
To find the beginning, reduce your business idea to it's apparent essence...when proper order is correctly identified a business is almost failure proof. Don't cut a since corner along the way....the beginning determines all that follows.
The moment you enter the world of business - as a provider, not merely a consumer - you will have a hundred opportunities a day to act beneficailly or wrongly, to deal with people fairly or otherwise, to enhance your social environment or pollute it.
Business is people. Expect the unexpected.
A good school makes learning into a game, engaging everyone, excluding no one, honoring all, ridiculing none.
Meaningful involvement in the function. informed. change.learn. practice. ideas. intelligence. creativity. imagination. dreams. hunger.. quality, trust.
with most activities there is no presumption of excellence in the begining.
March 20, 2016
I first read this book shortly after starting a small business in the late 80's. At that time, I found it wonderfully encouraging. While not a memoir, Hawken excels at clear-eyed sharing of many practical lessons he learned along the path of starting his own first company, Erehwon Natural Foods, as well as his more famous later business, Smith & Hawken, which grew into a multi-million dollar gardening supply company.
In addition to his own experiences, Hawken tells educational tales of success spawned by the creative thinking and customer focus exhibited by then upstart companies such as Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's. His theory that there will always be room in the American landscape for people who create products out of passion and who chose to genuinely care for their customers still holds true 30 years later, as corporate America still struggles to maintain authenticity and quality service in a landscape dominated by mass market malls.
While the book was inspirational to me the first time around, it was less practically useful for the small scale service industry I was in at the time. Now that I am the co-founder of a company that makes minimalist footwear and has multiple employees, however, I found many of his ideas more directly applicable. His discussion of how too much money is more dangerous to a small business than too little was particularly interesting, as were his thoughts on building a company that cares for its employees as well as it does its customers.
Originally written in 1987, the book does show its age in places. The strategies and systems Smith & Hawken set up to deal with a pre-internet catalog company with minimal PCs will seem quaint to some and totally foreign for younger readers, but many of the lessons still resonate - the technical details of the issues may have changed, but the principles of the solutions they put in place have not.
In other areas, however, the age of the book casts a shadow over some of the stories Hawken highlights. I am old enough to remember the original Banana Republic stores Hawken sings praises of, but there isn't the slightest hint of those original creative theme park environments that so successfully invoked the mystery of travel in the current, minimalist sea-of-beige version that is so well camouflaged by corporate conformism I didn't even notice there was one in our mall for years. Smith & Hawken itself lives on only as a Target brand acquired after the corporate owners who gained control of the company after Hawken's mid-90's retirement oversaw its slide into bankruptcy in the following decade.
The sobering perspective offered by knowing the less than happy endings to these stories leaves me, at the current stage of my own company, with as many questions as the book answers. Despite that, I would recommend it, as it remains an encouraging and realistic guide to anyone looking to take the plunge into starting a business, and also offers many useful lessons to those who are already far enough in to have realized they may have gotten more than they bargained for.
In addition to his own experiences, Hawken tells educational tales of success spawned by the creative thinking and customer focus exhibited by then upstart companies such as Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's. His theory that there will always be room in the American landscape for people who create products out of passion and who chose to genuinely care for their customers still holds true 30 years later, as corporate America still struggles to maintain authenticity and quality service in a landscape dominated by mass market malls.
While the book was inspirational to me the first time around, it was less practically useful for the small scale service industry I was in at the time. Now that I am the co-founder of a company that makes minimalist footwear and has multiple employees, however, I found many of his ideas more directly applicable. His discussion of how too much money is more dangerous to a small business than too little was particularly interesting, as were his thoughts on building a company that cares for its employees as well as it does its customers.
Originally written in 1987, the book does show its age in places. The strategies and systems Smith & Hawken set up to deal with a pre-internet catalog company with minimal PCs will seem quaint to some and totally foreign for younger readers, but many of the lessons still resonate - the technical details of the issues may have changed, but the principles of the solutions they put in place have not.
In other areas, however, the age of the book casts a shadow over some of the stories Hawken highlights. I am old enough to remember the original Banana Republic stores Hawken sings praises of, but there isn't the slightest hint of those original creative theme park environments that so successfully invoked the mystery of travel in the current, minimalist sea-of-beige version that is so well camouflaged by corporate conformism I didn't even notice there was one in our mall for years. Smith & Hawken itself lives on only as a Target brand acquired after the corporate owners who gained control of the company after Hawken's mid-90's retirement oversaw its slide into bankruptcy in the following decade.
The sobering perspective offered by knowing the less than happy endings to these stories leaves me, at the current stage of my own company, with as many questions as the book answers. Despite that, I would recommend it, as it remains an encouraging and realistic guide to anyone looking to take the plunge into starting a business, and also offers many useful lessons to those who are already far enough in to have realized they may have gotten more than they bargained for.
September 16, 2018
I read this book at least fifteen years ago and its messages about entrepreneurship stuck with me: if you are skilled but unhireable, small business may be the best way for you to create a niche for yourself; business is as much about giving people fulfilling work as it is turning a profit; there is an alternative to growth at all costs. After reading many other business and entrepreneurship books in the intervening decade(s), coming back to this one was refreshing.
It is in re-reading it that I am amazed at how relevant it remains, even to today's software startup world. All the ways in which I've watched great companies fall apart are depicted clearly in Hawken's book, and much of his advice (particularly around how opportunities for new businesses, hiring, and fixing things) I thought I had rediscovered, not realizing I must have read it here first. I guess seeing it all in practice, again and again, has made it much more true.
As I was reading it, I wondered what happened to the business he was growing at the time of the book, Smith & Hawken. Of course, it was a success under his leadership, then he stepped away, the company got acquired by a much larger one, and was gradually destroyed. The unfortunate modern cycle of the otherwise-sustainable small business.
Apparently this is associated with a PBS series but I've never seen the series. The book stands on its own. If there is a single book anyone considering starting a business should read, it's this one.
It is in re-reading it that I am amazed at how relevant it remains, even to today's software startup world. All the ways in which I've watched great companies fall apart are depicted clearly in Hawken's book, and much of his advice (particularly around how opportunities for new businesses, hiring, and fixing things) I thought I had rediscovered, not realizing I must have read it here first. I guess seeing it all in practice, again and again, has made it much more true.
As I was reading it, I wondered what happened to the business he was growing at the time of the book, Smith & Hawken. Of course, it was a success under his leadership, then he stepped away, the company got acquired by a much larger one, and was gradually destroyed. The unfortunate modern cycle of the otherwise-sustainable small business.
Apparently this is associated with a PBS series but I've never seen the series. The book stands on its own. If there is a single book anyone considering starting a business should read, it's this one.
February 12, 2009
I found a lot of what he writes to be obvious (but maybe it's not to other people).
If you think that running a business is impossibly complicated or something you could never do, or that you have to have tons of capital to start one, reading this will put those kinds of fallacies in perspective.
Yes, you can do it. People who build businesses are just people, they don't have special powers. They just want to build a business and learn what they need to know to do it. You don't need tons of money - in fact, he makes a good point which is that most businesses are worse off with too much money than too little, because they don't gain wisdom about how to spend it. Witness the dot-com bubble start-ups that were floating in dough but never became profitable. It's like how trust fund kids often don't learn how to manage their money.
So, if you want to start a business, and don't have your own common sense about it, then this is probably a good book for you.
Mostly it confirmed stuff that I already knew though, and he was successful at something that I don't entirely want to be that successful at. I don't really want a big business - I have no interest in being the next Patagonia. I started my business to make a living and I'm happy to have it grow very slowly. So it wasn't like, the most fascinating book to me. But it could be for you. It's definitely honest and genuine which I liked.
If you think that running a business is impossibly complicated or something you could never do, or that you have to have tons of capital to start one, reading this will put those kinds of fallacies in perspective.
Yes, you can do it. People who build businesses are just people, they don't have special powers. They just want to build a business and learn what they need to know to do it. You don't need tons of money - in fact, he makes a good point which is that most businesses are worse off with too much money than too little, because they don't gain wisdom about how to spend it. Witness the dot-com bubble start-ups that were floating in dough but never became profitable. It's like how trust fund kids often don't learn how to manage their money.
So, if you want to start a business, and don't have your own common sense about it, then this is probably a good book for you.
Mostly it confirmed stuff that I already knew though, and he was successful at something that I don't entirely want to be that successful at. I don't really want a big business - I have no interest in being the next Patagonia. I started my business to make a living and I'm happy to have it grow very slowly. So it wasn't like, the most fascinating book to me. But it could be for you. It's definitely honest and genuine which I liked.
June 3, 2009
Wow, lots of others have felt as clueless and discombobulated starting a new business as I did.
Wish I'd known about this book when Mom and I started Friends Fabric Art
...late is better than never!
Wish I'd known about this book when Mom and I started Friends Fabric Art
...late is better than never!
December 25, 2021
I read this book 30+ years ago (1988?) after watching the TV series on PBS. Some things I remembered from reading the book and being featured on the show came up in conversation today, all these years later. There were some very progressive for the times topics covered in Growing A Business, as well as sound advice that seems to always be wise and relevant.
January 6, 2013
Such an amazing book. It's a must read if you are starting a small business. It will help you build value and profitability. The book has marvelous insights made all the better because its author is the owner of a well-known business, Smith & Hawken. By focusing on the inner business, Hawken helps any business person create an enterprise that is ideally suited to its owner. The author ,Mr. Hawken, gives some great advice and makes it seem like anyone can succeed in business if they treat people right.
August 13, 2010
Sort of a how-to book for someone who owns a small business and wants to make it grow larger. Well written, with good anecdotes and solid advice about what works and what doesn't. Reading books like this make me want to run out and start a business.
April 20, 2012
A pleasant, reassuring, common-sense book about "small" business (anything from a small grocery store to Patagonia) with some interesting ideas. Focuses more on general approaches than specific recommendations, and has aged fairly well.
July 13, 2007
Great account of how to start and grow a business intelligently, slowly and organically.
The do's and dont's in plain language. No business school jargon or hard to read advise.
The do's and dont's in plain language. No business school jargon or hard to read advise.
May 8, 2009
This book was included in my book: The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. www.100bestbiz.com
November 22, 2019
Interesting read, but it was written before the internet so much of the material is out of date.
December 11, 2010
Great book about the ethics and framework around running a successful business. Loved the definition of "tradeskill" and the 5/15 reports and Go-For-Brokes.
January 5, 2013
Great book. Paul breathes life into a subject that all too often is boring a dull. All in all a great down to earth look at business and how to set your self up for a win in both life and business.
Want to read
August 17, 2025
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March 21, 2021
If you’re just starting a business, read it!
Loved the idea that having too much money when you’re just starting is worse than too little. That’s what I keep telling all my friends who are starting their own business. The other idea I liked is that the bigger is not always the better :)
5/15 reports is something I might start using now :) as I feel it will keep me updated and I will know what’s going on in my business, and it will definitely be a lot shorter than long traditional meetings.
I can go on and on but you have to read it for yourself— you might find it really helpful and informative and you can find answers to your questions.
I did like the book and the ideas but since I was reading it in Russian I couldn’t help feeling something was missing — that’s why I’m giving it four stars now.
I put it to the translation — I feel there were a couple of things that the translator was not able to convey.
I’m definitely rereading it — but in English next time :)
Loved the idea that having too much money when you’re just starting is worse than too little. That’s what I keep telling all my friends who are starting their own business. The other idea I liked is that the bigger is not always the better :)
5/15 reports is something I might start using now :) as I feel it will keep me updated and I will know what’s going on in my business, and it will definitely be a lot shorter than long traditional meetings.
I can go on and on but you have to read it for yourself— you might find it really helpful and informative and you can find answers to your questions.
I did like the book and the ideas but since I was reading it in Russian I couldn’t help feeling something was missing — that’s why I’m giving it four stars now.
I put it to the translation — I feel there were a couple of things that the translator was not able to convey.
I’m definitely rereading it — but in English next time :)
April 6, 2025
This book feels like having a chill but wise conversation with that one entrepreneur uncle who’s actually made it. It’s not some overhyped hustle talk — it’s grounded, honest, and kinda comforting.
What stood out most to me is how the author keeps things simple. Like, “start small, grow smart” simple. No need to raise a million bucks on day one or chase shiny tech trends — just build something real that solves a real problem.
It made me think about long-term sustainability more than just fast wins. Great read for anyone tired of business books that scream “10X your life NOW!!” and just want practical wisdom that sticks.
What stood out most to me is how the author keeps things simple. Like, “start small, grow smart” simple. No need to raise a million bucks on day one or chase shiny tech trends — just build something real that solves a real problem.
It made me think about long-term sustainability more than just fast wins. Great read for anyone tired of business books that scream “10X your life NOW!!” and just want practical wisdom that sticks.
July 5, 2025
Inspiring, grounded, and full of wisdom.
Paul Hawken has this calm, clear way of explaining business that feels more like a conversation than a textbook. Growing a Business is honest and surprisingly soulful. It’s not about chasing money — it’s about building something meaningful, sustainable, and real. I especially appreciated how he ties entrepreneurship to values and purpose. Whether you're starting from scratch or just rethinking your direction, this book gives you both the practical insight and encouragement to move forward. Definitely one of those rare business books that sticks with you long after you close the last page.
Paul Hawken has this calm, clear way of explaining business that feels more like a conversation than a textbook. Growing a Business is honest and surprisingly soulful. It’s not about chasing money — it’s about building something meaningful, sustainable, and real. I especially appreciated how he ties entrepreneurship to values and purpose. Whether you're starting from scratch or just rethinking your direction, this book gives you both the practical insight and encouragement to move forward. Definitely one of those rare business books that sticks with you long after you close the last page.
February 13, 2025
**A Practical and Inspiring Guide for Entrepreneurs**
*Growing a Business* by Paul Hawken is a must-read for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. Instead of relying on traditional business school advice, Hawken emphasizes the power of personal vision, creativity, and persistence. Using real-world examples like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s, he shows how successful businesses are built from passion and purpose rather than just financial investment. His insights challenge common myths about entrepreneurship and offer a refreshing perspective on what it takes to create a sustainable, meaningful business. A timeless and inspiring read!
*Growing a Business* by Paul Hawken is a must-read for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. Instead of relying on traditional business school advice, Hawken emphasizes the power of personal vision, creativity, and persistence. Using real-world examples like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s, he shows how successful businesses are built from passion and purpose rather than just financial investment. His insights challenge common myths about entrepreneurship and offer a refreshing perspective on what it takes to create a sustainable, meaningful business. A timeless and inspiring read!
February 13, 2025
Growing a Business – Paul Hawken
Paul Hawken’s Growing a Business is a practical and insightful guide for entrepreneurs looking to build a sustainable, customer-focused company. With real-world examples and a focus on innovation over conventional business tactics, Hawken emphasizes creativity, passion, and ethical decision-making. His advice challenges traditional corporate thinking, advocating for organic growth rather than aggressive expansion. A must-read for aspiring business owners seeking long-term success with integrity.
Paul Hawken’s Growing a Business is a practical and insightful guide for entrepreneurs looking to build a sustainable, customer-focused company. With real-world examples and a focus on innovation over conventional business tactics, Hawken emphasizes creativity, passion, and ethical decision-making. His advice challenges traditional corporate thinking, advocating for organic growth rather than aggressive expansion. A must-read for aspiring business owners seeking long-term success with integrity.
August 26, 2025
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في السنوات الأخيرة، أصبح موضوع حبوب الإجهاض سايتوتك في السعودية من أكثر المواضيع التي تبحث عنها السيدات، خاصة في مدن مثل الرياض، جدة، مكة، جازان، وخميس مشيط، وكذلك في مناطق الخليج مثل البحرين والكويت والشارقة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تتزايد الحاجة إلى التوعية الطبية الصحيحة حول هذا الموضوع الحساس. لذلك، تقدم دكتورة نيرمين الدعم الطبي والاستشارات المتخصصة للنساء اللواتي يحتجن إلى التوجيه الصحيح وطلب العلاج من مصدر موثوق، عبر الاتصال على الرقم: 00966537466539 .
في السنوات الأخيرة، أصبح موضوع حبوب الإجهاض سايتوتك في السعودية من أكثر المواضيع التي تبحث عنها السيدات، خاصة في مدن مثل الرياض، جدة، مكة، جازان، وخميس مشيط، وكذلك في مناطق الخليج مثل البحرين والكويت والشارقة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تتزايد الحاجة إلى التوعية الطبية الصحيحة حول هذا الموضوع الحساس. لذلك، تقدم دكتورة نيرمين الدعم الطبي والاستشارات المتخصصة للنساء اللواتي يحتجن إلى التوجيه الصحيح وطلب العلاج من مصدر موثوق، عبر الاتصال على الرقم: 00966537466539 .
May 18, 2017
First read this back in the late 80s. It was the first thing I read that made me think I might actually fit doing some kind of business. It is human level and feels real, the kind fo commentary you seldom hear from people about business, even small business. And while a few bits and pieces haven't held up (mainly in the way of predicting trends), nearly all of it has. What Hawken has to say here is timeless.
March 25, 2018
Excellent book. Though most of the ideas it contains were things that I’d learned from others already, hearing them reaffirmed alongside amusing anecdotes was quite welcome. This is a must-read for folks just getting started in business and running their own things. It’s far less of a practical, step-by-step manual and more of a mindset-shaper; a set of moral and ethical guidelines that will indirectly help you find success in business.
July 3, 2025
This one’s a bit different from your typical business books. Hawken focuses a lot on growing a business in a way that’s sustainable and responsible, which feels pretty rare in this space. It’s less about quick wins and more about long-term thinking. Some parts got a little slow, especially when he dives into the environmental stuff, but if you care about building something that lasts without wrecking the planet, it’s worth it. Not a flashy read, but thoughtful.
November 29, 2025
This book offers valuable insights and practical strategies for anyone looking to grow their business effectively. Whether you’re a startup founder or an established entrepreneur, the guidance here helps streamline processes and improve decision-making. For those interested in optimizing their business tools and digital resources, you can use tool to check your system’s performance and ensure everything runs smoothly.
November 22, 2023
This is a great book that can help you grow business. I'm now researching strategies to get more people interested in my product, and this source has ended up becoming a personal mentor to me https://abrokenbackpack.com/digital-n... It's wonderful that such important information is available in the public domain.
May 21, 2017
This easily read and highly accessible book presents a kinder and gentler approach to creating and running a successful business. Though it was published in 1987, much of the author's advice is doubly important these days.
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