The economic climate we have today in 2011 has led to many large corporations downsizing their workforce. This is leading to a large number of individuals trying to find new employment. Some are unable to find the replacement position. What I have... Read more

The economic climate we have today in 2011 has led to many large corporations downsizing their workforce. This is leading to a large number of individuals trying to find new employment. Some are unable to find the replacement position. What I have found is these tend to be middle age people who still need a source of income, as they are unable to tap into the retirement nest egg. At which point they decide to become an entrepreneur. This decision can be troubling as most of these individuals have never been neither involved in running a business nor have any idea as to what it takes to start one. This is where my book comes in and fills this gap in knowledge. From the Bottom Up is a book that will provide the information needed along the way as they start to plan the business.In the opening portion of the book we discuss what it means to be an entrepreneur and the responsibilities it brings. One of which is having a written business plan for the business. As an entrepreneur you need a different mindset from an employee of a business. This book will guide you through a creative process while providing you resources for information needed.The book is an easy-to-read detail of what a business plan is, how to write the business plan and how the plan is used in your business. We take it even further into operating a business. Time is spent on goals, setting and tracking them. Translation of goals into income and create a budget for the business including tracking income and expenses to determine profitability.There are some key take pieces from this book we want the reader to walk away with, they are: a. Necessary steps to write a quality business planb. How to effectively market their businessc. Describe who is their ideal customer d. What to know about hiring employeese. Setting goals and budgets for their businessA description of each chapter and brief description about its content:Chapter 1: Putting it all on paper. – The importance of having a written plan to follow and reasons for doing so.Chapter 2: Planning your journey – Why you must take time to plan where it is you wish to go in business. Describes decisions that have to be made before you begin to write the business plan that will impact what goes inside it.Chapter 3: Creating your roadmap aka: business plan – Each section of the business plan is broken down into what belongs in each section, where to find the information you need and you need the information.Chapter 4: Sharing the journey – Wh0 should be looking at your business plan and some of the uses for it.Chapter 5: Checking in along the way – Why you need to have a tracking method for your goals and vision for the business. Samples are provided for easy use.Chapter 6: Counting your pennies – Budgets, how to create them, use them and track your profit and loss. Chapter 7: The E word: Can't live with 'em-Can't live without 'em – This chapter goes into how to hire and employee and make sure they understand your business. Describes documents you need to have, such as job description and employee handbook.Chapter 8: It's About Star Power – We get into the discussion of presenting your business plan will charismaEntrepreneurial Success Stories – Lessons learned from 3 different successful business owners. Words of Wisdom – closing comments about time management, organization and a general wrap up of the book.Resources – Listing of valuable sources of information that have helped me along my journey as an entrepreneur.About the author – Description of author's background and experience. Less