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PREFACE - A Note to the Reader

“How To Take Control of Your Own Life: Entrepreneurship 101” is the second book in a 3-part series which provides powerful information on how to take control of your own life.

Many people dream about becoming a business owner but only a few actually do it.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to open your own business. All you need is to learn the steps on how to go from point A to point B.

Everyone has some type of talent or passion which is of value to others. This book will guide you through the process of building and growing a lucrative business by using your own talents.

The book will deal with every aspect of starting a business whether it's conducting research, obtaining funds or moving your business to the next level.

Many businesses are set up the same way. There is someone at the helm who is not satisfied with other people making decisions in their lives.

Business owners are risk takers but they are intelligent risk-takers because they conduct the research it takes to open a successful business.

We can no longer operate like we did in the past. Young people need to understand that their parents are under attack by a society that is seeking to “break their spirits” of good hard working people. Therefore, they must seek to become self-sufficient by becoming a business owner.

Even as early as first grade, we must talk to our children about becoming a business owner. The words “entrepreneurship” and “business owner” should be the first words, they learn to spell, read, and write.

This book is a must - for anyone who is ready to make their dream of opening a business come true.

Congratulations on making the first move by buying this book and educating yourself and future generations to come.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

SECTION I – READY, SET, GO…

Chapter 1 - Do You Have What It Takes to Become an Entrepreneur?

1. Are You Anti-Business?

2. Why Open Your Own Business?

3. Pros and Cons of Home-Run Ventures

4. Take the Entrepreneurship Test

5. Take the “Tap Into Your Talents” Test

6. Use the “Rule of Three”

Chapter 2 – How To Set-Up and Legitimize Your Business

1. Checklist to set-up and legitimize your business (research stage, creation stage, legitimacy stage, business network stage)

2. Where to Find a Computer to Conduct Research

3. Best web sites for Conducting Research on the Internet

4. Do You Have Good Netiquette Skills

5. Why Some Websites Sell and Others Don’t

Chapter 3 – How to Market Your Business

1. Tools Needed to Open a Successful Business

2. Free & Low Cost Marketing Tips

3. Tips for a Successful Tradeshow Exhibit

4. How to Use Information Products to Market Your Business

Chapter 4 – Are You Losing Business Because of Bad Customer Service Skills

1. Customer Service 101

2. Why Network?

3. How To Get Referrals

4. Who is watching the Better Business Bureau?

Chapter 5 – Legal Business Structures

1. List of Business Structures (Sole Proprietorship; Partnership; General Partnership; Limited Partnership; Limited Liability Company (LLC); Corporation (For Profit); Nonprofit Corporation (not-for-profit))

2. Business Registration Requirements

3. Professional Licensing Boards

4. Business Insurance

5. Business Deductions

Chapter 6 – The Importance of a Business Plan

1. Why Write a Business Plan

2. How To Write a Business Plan

Chapter 7 – How To Finance Your Business

1. Start-Up Financing vs. Expansion Financing

2. The Truth about Business Grants

3. Top 10 Ways to Finance a Business

4. Other Ways to Finance Your Business