The Women's Small Business Start-Up Kit: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide

Peri Pakroo

Nolo,  May 2010

  • Everything you need to get your business started
  • Special resources for women entrepreneurs
  • Solutions for maintaining work-life balance
Dear Aspiring Business Owner,

If you've got an idea or skill that you're ready to turn into a business, congratulations! Whether you plan to hire employees or pursue solo self-employment (a good survival strategy in a lean economy) this book will help transform your vision into reality. You'll learn how to:
  • draft a solid business plan
  • raise start-up money
  • choose a legal structure
  • manage finances and taxes
  • promote your business on a budget
  • take your business online
  • hire quality contractors and employees
Why a small business book aimed just at women? Because the women entrepreneurs I work with want to know about special certification programs for women-owned businesses, government contracting opportunities, and resources such as Women's Business Centers nationwide. They also want to hear about creative ways to maintain work-life balance. You'll find all this in the book.

Good luck with your new business!
 
Peri

P.S. I've included interviews with several successful women business owners throughout the book. I think their insights will inform and inspire you.

paperback | ISBN: 9781413311884 | Publication Date: May 2010

Reviews:
"What a great, practical and readable resource! This is not your typical 'motivational' business start-up book, but a detailed guide to all the steps of actually getting started, including specific tips and resources for women entrepreneurs. Peri's book clearly details all the nuts and bolts of starting a business so often lacking in how-to books. A must-read before you launch."
--Lindsey Johnson, former National Director, SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership

"This no-nonsense guide is an essential roadmap for any woman considering entrepreneurship. It's packed with how-to information and real-life examples that will help save significant time and money in getting a venture started. Highly recommended."
--Sara Gould, President, Ms. Foundation for Women

"Don't even think about starting a business without reading this book. Approachable, easy to understand and totally straightforward, Peri has done a service to all future entrepreneurs by giving solid advice to set you up for sustainable success."
--Amy Swift Crosby, Founder, SMARTY, A Resource for Entrepreneurial Women

"Any woman thinking of creating her own job by starting a business should have Peri Pakroo's book. You will want to make it your constant companion."
--Connie Evans, CEO, Association of Enterprise Opportunity, Public Member of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations 54th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

"The Women's Small Business Start-Up Kit is a must-read for any woman thinking about starting a business. As a Director of a Women's Business Center for nearly 20 years, this is the first book I've read which provides a realistic road-map on how to make it happen. In spite of the remarkable accomplishments that self-employed women have made, let's face it, women continue to be the primary nurturers who hold American families together, a fact which makes starting and growing a successful woman-owned business fraught with challenges and sweet with its rewards."
--Agnes Noonan, Executive Director, Women's Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST)

"It takes a brave woman to start, build, and run a business. For all those women who keep saying to themselves, 'I think I can, I think I can,' with this excellent book, now they can."
--Nell Merlino, Founder and CEO, Count Me in for Women's Economic Independence, and Author, Stepping Out of Line: for Women Who Want It their Way in Life, in Love and at Work

"A good read all around, Peri provides a practical guide that is useful and helpful for women starting and growing their business -- love the real-life examples, too! This is a great book!"
--Wendy K. Baumann, President, The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation

"This book on small business start-ups is certainly a valuable tool that will assist women in making sound and sustainable decisions when beginning a new business venture. Peri's many years in the business consulting and training trenches gives her advice and information a high value of credibility. She has enormous experience and insight to share, and this book and kit is a must read for the aspiring entrepreneur."
--Patricia Harris, Executive Director & CEO, The Edge Connection, Women's Business Center at Kennesaw State University, Coles College of Business