Small Business, Big Vision: Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self–Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right

Lessons in applying passion and perseverance from prominent entrepreneurs
In the world of entrepreneurship, your vision solidifies your resolve when things get tough, and it reminds you why you went into business in the first place. Small Business, Big Vision draws on the experience of some of the world′s most successful entrepreneurs and proves that with a flexible mind–set, practical skills, and the passion to keep pushing forward, entrepreneurs can find success, even in the most turbulent business landscape.
"While reading Small Business, Big Vision, I kept thinking one thing: These guys get it! In a world where information is coming at us from all directions, you′ve got to know how to focus on the good stuff and filter out the rest."
—RYAN HOLMES, founder and CEO, HootSuite
"Matthew and Adam Toren get to the point of what separates the good from the great in business and entrepreneurship: vision. What′s remarkable about the book is that it actually gives you the insight on how to take passion and turn it into tangible results."
—RYAN SHEA, President and Corporate Publisher, Entrepreneur Media, Inc., Entrepreneur.com, and Entrepreneur magazine
"In Small Business, Big Vision, Adam and Matthew Toren provide practical, real–world advice for entrepreneurs at all levels. Motivational and tremendously insightful, this book gives you the tools you need to succeed in your business."
—DOUG IMBRUCE, founder, Qwiki.com
"Why anyone starting a business wouldn′t want to learn from those who blazed a brilliant path before them is beyond me. Get this book and start dominating now."
—JOHN JANTSCH, author of Duct Tape Marketing and The Referral Engine

Spis treści:
Foreword Gary Whitehill xi
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
Permissions xxii
Introduction 1
Why You Need This Book and Why You Need a Big Vision 1
Our Story 3
Chapter 1 The Importance of Having BIG Vision 9
Entrepreneurial Profile: Dan Schawbel of Millennial Branding, LLC 13
Fuel Your Fire with Passion and Perseverance 16
Entrepreneurial Profile: Siamak Taghaddos and David Hauser of Grasshopper Group 22
Chapter 2 Rethinking Your Business Plan 25
The One–Page Business Plan 29
Entrepreneurial Profile: Brent Oxley of HostGator.com 35
The Finance–Centered Plan 38
Entrepreneurial Profile: Brock Blake of FundingUniverse 46
Chapter 3 Investors Out—Collaborators In! 51
Investors: A Question of Need versus Want 54
Entrepreneurial Profile: Gabriel Shaoolian of Blue Fountain Media 58
When Your Needs Call for Investors 62
Collaboration Is Key 63
An Advisory Board as a Replacement for Investors 65
Entrepreneurial Profile: Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends and BizSugar.com 69
Chapter 4 Hiring Employees: The Good, the Bad, and the Alternatives 77
The Magic of Leveraging Your Time 79
The Downside of Hiring Employees 80
Entrepreneurial Profile: Ali Brown of Ali International 83
The Best of Both Worlds 89
How to Find the Best Outsourced Workers 94
Entrepreneurial Profile: Daven Michaels of 123Employee.com 96
Chapter 5 Laser–Sighted Marketing through Social Media 101
The Magic of Social Media Marketing 106
Entrepreneurial Profile: Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV 108
Four Keys to Social Media Marketing Success 111
Entrepreneurial Profile: Mike Roberts of SpyFu.com 123
Chapter 6 From Entrepreneur to Icon: Achieving Expert Status 129
Embracing Your Expertise 132
Building Your Information Empire 133
Entrepreneurial Profile: Shama Hyder Kabani of The Marketing Zen Group 139
Chapter 7 The Socially Responsible Entrepreneur: It’s Not Always about You 143
Social Entrepreneurship Is True Entrepreneurship 146
Entrepreneurial Profile: Adam Braun of Pencils of Promise 148
S ustainability Is the New Bottom Line 151
Entrepreneurial Profile: Scott Harrison of charity: water 155
Chapter 8 Pulling a 180: The Business Turnaround 159
Flexibility Allows for Transformation 162
Entrepreneurial Profile: Matt Mickiewicz of SitePoint and 99designs 167
What to Do Before You Give Up 171
Entrepreneurial Profile: Mike Michalowicz of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur 177
Afterword 183
Resources 187
Epigraph Sources 195
Index 197

Nota biograficzna:
MATTHEW TOREN and ADAM TOREN are brothers, serial entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. For nearly twenty years, they have provided instruction in management concepts, marketing, and finance to emerging and distressed small businesses. They currently own and operate a successful media company and founded YoungEntrepreneur.com, one of the largest online forum communities for entrepreneurs worldwide. The Toren brothers are also the authors of the award–winning book, Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs with Big Ideas! Visit www.SmallBusinessBigVision.com.

Okładka tylna:
Lessons in applying passion and perseverance from prominent entrepreneurs
In the world of entrepreneurship, your vision solidifies your resolve when things get tough, and it reminds you why you went into business in the first place. Small Business, Big Vision draws on the experience of some of the world′s most successful entrepreneurs and proves that with a flexible mind–set, practical skills, and the passion to keep pushing forward, entrepreneurs can find success, even in the most turbulent business landscape.
"While reading Small Business, Big Vision, I kept thinking one thing: These guys get it! In a world where information is coming at us from all directions, you′ve got to know how to focus on the good stuff and filter out the rest."
—RYAN HOLMES, founder and CEO, HootSuite
"Matthew and Adam Toren get to the point of what separates the good from the great in business and entrepreneurship: vision. What′s remarkable about the book is that it actually gives you the insight on how to take passion and turn it into tangible results."
—RYAN SHEA, President and Corporate Publisher, Entrepreneur Media, Inc., Entrepreneur.com, and Entrepreneur magazine
"In Small Business, Big Vision, Adam and Matthew Toren provide practical, real–world advice for entrepreneurs at all levels. Motivational and tremendously insightful, this book gives you the tools you need to succeed in your business."
—DOUG IMBRUCE, founder, Qwiki.com
"Why anyone starting a business wouldn′t want to learn from those who blazed a brilliant path before them is beyond me. Get this book and start dominating now."
—JOHN JANTSCH, author of Duct Tape Marketing and The Referral Engine