Start-up Smart
How to start and build a successful business on a budget
By Robin Bennett
Jacket text
This book will not make you a million in three months and it doesn’t make any wildly optimistic claims about saving the world, changing the way we think about business or improving your chances of pulling.
What it does do is give an honest, detailed, straightforward description of how to start a small business from scratch, with relatively little money, and how that business can give you a decent income with little or no risk in the long term.
Robin Bennett guides you through the key steps involved in setting up and running a business. He shows that it’s possible for anyone to become their own boss, and that it can be done without ending up in debt to the bank or completely stressed out.
Delivered in a lighthearted and down-to-earth way, the advice contained in these pages is based on what Robin has found to work over the last 20 years in business. It shows how you can do it too – how you can use this knowledge to start up, and most importantly, start up smart!
About the author
Robin Bennett came to business relatively late. No selling lemonade to neighbours from the front garden at age six, cleaning cars with rags or a 4am paper round. A cosseted existence lasted until he became a penniless graduate, which forced him to start his first company, aged 23. All of which goes to show that entrepreneurs are just as often made, not born.
Since 1992 he has started eight separate companies - each for less than £5,000. Six still trade, always in the black and never at the expense of high borrowing or the really important stuff, like family and friends.
Media coverage
From Bangor University:
Students, graduates and staff of the University recently learned how to start a business for less than £5,000 in a ?Start-Up Smart presentation organised by the B-Enterprising Project at the Careers & Employability Service. The event was well attended by over sixty people from a variety of academic subject backgrounds and University departments. The presentation… Read more »
From Worcester News:
A SUCCESSFUL entrepreneur and author visited the University of Worcester to talk to students about starting their own businesses. Robin Bennett, author of Start-up Smart, wanted to prove business start-ups do not necessarily involve large expensive bank loans, just good planning and sensible cash flow management. Many of the 100 students who attended were either… Read more »
From Henley Standard:
An entrepreneur from Henley who has established 15 businesses in 18 years has revealed the secret of his success. Robin Bennett has written a book called Start Up Smart about how to begin your own business with less than £5,000. The 42-year-old, who is based in Hart Street, founded his first business after graduating from… Read more »
From My Wonderful Life Coach:
Start-Up Smart ? How to start and build a successful business on a budget – Robin Bennett – Harriman House – ISBN 978-1906659837 Reviewed by Valerie Dwyer – Serial Entrepreneur, Coach, Mentor, Inspirational Speaker, founder of My Wonderful Life Coach?, Everything is Possible?, and other enterprises. http://www.mywonderfullifecoach.co.uk START-UP SMART BRINGS YOU THE OPPORTUNITY YOU?VE WANTED… Read more »
From Financial Mail Women's Forum:
Competition for budding entrepreneurs A new competition has been launched for budding entrepreneurs between 18-25. Five winners ? from the categories services, manufacturing, IT, media and arts and retail ? will win a package of funding assistance, professional planning, one year?s mentoring from serial entrepreneur Robin Bennett, and national and regional PR. To enter, applicants… Read more »
From uel.ac.uk:
Robin was a guest speaker as part of the Talking Business – The Event Series at the University of East London 22nd February 2011
From brunelpccblog.wordpress.com:
Brunel University Careers Blog
From w3.yorksj.ac.uk:
Robin was a guest speaker at York St John University 2nd February 2011
From aber.ac.uk:
Robin was a guest speaker at the Crisalis Student Enterprise Club Event at Aberystwyth University 24th November 2010
Contents
Preface
About Me
1. Planning for Getting Started
Basic Strategies
Defining Your Goals
Planning and Preparation
The Business Plan
Sources of Investment
Things to Watch Out For
Useful Websites
2. Making Money
Basic Strategies
Marketing
Sales
Price Negotiation
Premises
Hiring For the First Time
Useful Websites
3. Growing Sensibly
Basic Strategies
Cash Flow
Staff Relations
Technology
Building a Reputation
Suppliers
Banks
Clients
Trade Fairs and Conferences
Useful Websites
4. Planning for the Long Term
Basic Strategies
Creationists, Expansionists and Caretakers
Related Markets
Foreign Markets
Patents and Trademarks
Accounting
Useful Websites
5. Reflections
Basic Strategies
Dealing with the Highs
What to Do if You Think You Might Fail
Conclusion
Appendix: A Model Company
| Published: | 28/07/2010 |
|---|---|
| Edition: | 1st |
| Pages: | 144 |
| Formats: | paperback - ISBN 9781906659837 ebook - ISBN 9780857190468 |
If you’d like to get in touch with the author for interview or comment, or you’d like a review copy of this book, please contact us at pr@harriman-house.com or call +44 (0)1730 233870.
RightsFor information on available rights, please contact rights@harriman-house.com
Bulk purchasesWe offer discounts for bulk purchases. Please contact specialsales@harriman-house.com for a quote.