Accessible entrepreneurship: Chris Guillebeau’s “The $100 Startup”

Here’s what I like the most about Chris Guillebeau’s The $100 Startup (Crown Business, 2012): The title.

That’s not a swipe; it’s meant as real praise. We need books reminding us that you don’t need a million bucks to start a new business.

And fortunately there’s more . . .

Stories

In The $100 Startup, Guillebeau assembles 50 case studies of individuals who have started businesses from scratch, often after suffering a setback such as a layoff or encountering major frustrations with their careers.

To me it’s the most inviting kind of how-to book, mixing stories with concrete guidance. The stories entice you to imagine possibilities, and the advice helps to put you on the right path.

If you’re serious about starting your own business, The $100 Startup is not the only resource you’ll want to consult — others will provide necessary advice on bureaucratic, tax, and legal details — but it likely will be one you return to for inspiration, ideas, and examples.

The home brewed entrepreneur

I’ve been a fan of Guillebeau’s approach to entrepreneurship and micro-business creation, especially in the midst of an economy that is producing few jobs and giving life to even fewer dreams. And given that I’m very attentive to business opportunities for people who may left abusive or dysfunctional workplaces, the start-up option is a definite possibility for those who have been beaten down by standard-brand employers.

Guillebeau’s first book — The Art of Non-Conformity (2010) — and accompanying blog have garnered attention as resources for those who want to free themselves from the rat race and the frustrations of working for others.

Now, with The $100 Startup, he delivers an easy and engaging read for those who want to create a business befitting a more independent lifestyle.

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Book website, here.