The Girl's Guide To Starting Your Own Business [Hardcover]

The answer is, "In some ways, yes." The authors create an energetic spirit through their upbeat, easy-to-read style. You find yourself saying, "Sure -- I can do this!" And, although increasing numbers of women are opening their own businesses, many identify with gender-based guides.

The authors focus as much on product as service businesses, and they discuss businesses with employees as well as solo acts. As a result, they offer a broad base, recognizing that readers must go elsewhere to achieve depth on any one topic.

The usefulness of specific guidance varies a great deal. The authors are best when dealing with matters of spirit and attitude. For example: "Keep emotions at home," "employees are not friends," and "recite these ten mantras regularly."

However, the section on mentoring can be misleading to a newbie. As a former academic, I had to chuckle when I read (p. 227): "Maybe the dean of the business school is a generous and knowledgeable soul who likes nothing more than to give advice to female entrepreneurs." In my experience, deans give free advice only to those outsiders who are likely to become large-scale donors. And I haven't met too many business school deans who are "generous and knowledgeable souls." These days, you have to expect to pay for mentors unless you are very, very lucky.

So bottom line, I'd recommend reading this book for energy and a "let's get going" mentality. You can get the specific how-tos elsewhere.

The book covers subjects like: if you're ready to own your own business, which business is right for you, legalities like licenses, permits, financials, funding, a business plan, promoting your business or product, what to do when you're the boss, acting like a professional, technology for your business, they also cover proposals, presentations and other business writing, at the end they give websites and other advice to finish off the book.

I'm glad that this book has been published, the advice in this book is very realistic. You can apply this advice in your life. These girls know what they're talking about.