Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months

by Emerson, Melinda F.

• ISBN13: 9781605501116
• ISBN10: 1605501115
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-03-18
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

"Melinda Emerson . . . will inspire you to pursue your own entrepreneurial vision."--Marc H. Morial, President, National Urban LeagueWhether you're newly unemployed, sick of office life and longing for a change, or just want to finally turn your business idea into reality, you can follow your dream and make your passion your profession. Drawing on her experience as founder of an award-winning production company, Melinda F. Emerson shows you how in this practical month-by-month guide to getting your business off the ground.Inside, you'll find the timetable and steps you need to take to become a successful CEO of your own venture, including:Month 1: Meet with potential venture capitalists Month 3: Set a one-year marketing budget Month 5: Select a logo Month 9: Purchase customer relationship management software Month 11: Prepare your launch day press releaseNext year at this time, you could be calling the shots at your dream job. You supply the energy, an idea, and elbow grease--and this book will supply the plan.

Author Biography

Melinda F. Emerson is founder and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, an award-winning marketing video production company. She has created productions for such companies as Johnson : Johnson, Verizon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Comcast. In 2000, AV Video Multimedia Producer Magazine named Emerson one of the Top 100 Producers of 2000. In 2001, she was named one of the Top 30 Leaders of the Future by Ebony magazine. In 2002, the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development named her a Black Business Pioneer. She lives in Drexel Hill, PA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword	p. xii
How to Use This Book	p. xv
So You Think You Want to Be an Entrepreneur	p. 1
Why Does It Take Twelve Months?	p. 11
Get Ready!	p. 17
12 Months Before You Start:
Get Your Life Plan Together	p. 18
11 Months Before You Start:
Your Financial Plan	p. 28
Think Like a Business Owner	p. 42
10 Months Before You Start:
Create Your Business Model	p. 51
Line Up a Lawyer and an Accountant	p. 61
Get Set!	p. 71
9 Months Before You Start:
Niche to Get Rich!	p. 72
Marketing 101: Eyeing Who's Buying	p. 82
8 Months Before You Start:
Every Business Needs a Plan	p. 95
Get Your Financing Together	p. 110
7 Months Before You Start:
Brand Your Business	p. 125
Set Up Your Online Strategy	p. 136
Build Your Online Marketing	p. 147
6 Months Before You Start:
Cultivate the Market	p. 158
Setting Up Shop	p. 165
5 Months Before You Start:
Build Your Team	p. 172
3 Months Before You Start:
Set Up Customer Service Systems	p. 187
1 Month Before You Start:
Taking Stock of Things: Is Everything in Place?	p. 193
Go!	p. 197
Launching Your Business	p. 198
Handling Cash and Your Bank	p. 204
Maintaining Your Marketing	p. 214
Ten Things You Must Never Forget in Business	p. 220
Final Thoughts	p. 235
Sample Customer Satisfaction Survey	p. 241
Further Resources	p. 243
Index	p. 251
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