Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works Today!

by Melinda Emerson

Overview

Get expert advice on marketing, selling online, accounting, and more—all tailored to the current economic climate—in this new, updated edition of the go-to resource for hopeful entrepreneurs.

America’s #1 small business expert is back with a brand-new, updated, and expanded edition of her essential handbook, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. Using her years of entrepreneurial experience, Melinda Emerson guides you through the process of opening your own business with step-by-step instructions for leading effectively, developing a winning marketing plan, setting a budget, and maintaining your business once it’s up and running. She also offers new strategies for social media techniques, customer engagement, selling online, and more.

This new edition of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months can help you build your business and invest your time (and money) where you need it most in order to succeed in today’s market. With Emerson’s expert business advice, you can finally follow your dreams and be on your way to becoming your own boss!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781507215982
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady, is one of America’s leading small business experts. Her expertise includes small business start-up, business development, and social media marketing. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda develops audio, video, and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. She publishes a resource blog, SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com, and hosts a weekly talk show on Twitter called #Smallbizchat for emerging entrepreneurs. Forbes magazine named her one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter. Melinda has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Black Enterprise. She lives in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

What This Book Can Do for You 9

Chapter 1 So You Think You Want to Be an Entrepreneur 13

Chapter 2 Why Does It Take Twelve Months? 25

Part I Get Ready! 31

12 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 3 Get Your Life Plan Together 33

11 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 4 Construct a Financial Plan 47

Chapter 5 Think Like a Business Owner 61

10 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 6 Create Your Business Model 69

Chapter 7 Line Up a Lawyer and an Accountant 81

Part II Get Set! 89

9 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 8 Who Is Your Target Customer? 91

Chapter 9 Every Business Needs a Plan 111

8 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 10 Get Your Financing Together 125

Chapter 11 Develop Your Website 143

7 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 12 How to Become a Social Media Activist 159

Chapter 13 How to Develop a Sales Process 175

Chapter 14 Selling Online 191

6 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 15 Setting Up Shop 209

5 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 16 Build Your Team 217

3 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 17 Set Up Customer Service Systems 235

Part III Go! 241

1 Month Before You Start:

Chapter 18 Launching Your Business 243

After You Start:

Chapter 19 Your Leadership Matters 251

Chapter 20 Fifteen Things You Must Never Forget in Business 263

Chapter 21 Final Thoughts 273

Sample Customer Satisfaction Survey 279

Further Resources 280

Index 283

Editorial Reviews

“Best start-up book I ever read!”

—Alfred A. Edmond Jr., SVP/executive editor-at-large of Black Enterprise, “The Successpert”

“Pay attention to Melinda Emerson. She is smart, concise, and on-point all the time. In Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, she provides great insight on things that are tough to navigate. She makes them easy to understand.”

—Marcus Lemonis, CNBC’s The Profit

“In Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Melinda Emerson has laid out a proven plan for business success. Follow her step-by-step guide to start your dream business.”

—Jon Gordon, eleven-time bestselling author of The Carpenter and The Power of Positive Leadership

“With Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Melinda Emerson has created a comprehensive checklist for the first-time entrepreneur that is sure to save you thousands of dollars in lost time and lost revenue.”

—Jay Samit, bestselling author of Disrupt You! and Future Proofing You

“This is a must-read for start-ups and existing entrepreneurs working through their digital pivot.”

—Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First and Get Different

“This book provides a complete step-by-step approach to starting a successful business. Melinda Emerson doesn’t leave anything out! You’ll want to follow her prescriptive advice closely.”

—Steve Strauss, USA TODAY small business columnist

“Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months has everything you need to launch or reinvent a small business. Melinda Emerson’s unique approach provides a step-by-step guide to build the business of your dreams.”

—Scott Jeffrey Miller, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Everyone Deserves a Great Manager

“Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is the book I wish I had when I decided to leave Corporate America and start my own business. Melinda Emerson helps entrepreneurs ask themselves the questions that will help them create the financial freedom they’ve been looking for.”

—Minda Harts, bestselling author of The Memo

“Melinda Emerson has done it again! Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is loaded with everything you need to know before you leave your 9 to 5 job behind and venture into business ownership. If you’re ready to embrace the freedom of entrepreneurship, you need this excellent book!”

—Stephanie Chandler, author of The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan

“Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is a must-read for anyone looking to launch a new e-commerce or service business. Melinda Emerson’s step-by-step system will put you on the path to business success.”

—John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing and The Ultimate Marketing Engine

“Whether you are just getting started as an entrepreneur or you need a solid refresher to up your business game, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is the book for you. It’s overflowing with the practical tips, advice, and specific action steps that will lead you from working for someone else to working for yourself. This is your time, and this book is the only guide you need!”

—Donna Maria Coles Johnson, president of Indie Business Network

“What impresses me about the book is the basic questions it guides the reader through—questions that enthusiastic new business owners fail to address until it is too late. Melinda Emerson knows what it takes to start a successful business!”

—Barry Moltz, small business expert

“Whether you are getting ready to start a small business or looking for tips and information for building your existing brand and operating smarter, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months will become your invaluable go-to resource.” 

—Rieva Lesonsky, small business expert, SmallBizDaily.com

“The new content in Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months on how to sell and market online is exactly what is needed to help business owners get started with e-commerce. Melinda has the experience, wisdom, and skill to move you from wannabe entrepreneur to flourishing entrepreneur.”

—Pamela Slim, author of Body of Work

“Melinda Emerson has poured more than twenty years of her experience into this step-by-step guide to business success. Read this book and then use the advice. You’ll be glad you did.”

—Ramon Ray, author of The Celebrity CEO

“Melinda Emerson has poured her everything into this book. With more than twenty years of experience, her step-by-step guide to business success is both timeless and timely. Read this book, and then immediately use the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to build your business. This book is just that darn good!” 

—John Lawson, e-commerce business expert

“Melinda Emerson is the number one expert you need to follow if you’re stepping into business ownership. Don’t even think about going into business without reading this book. A step-by-step road map for success, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months presents time-tested wisdom, thoughtful development, and strategic marketing know-how to convert any dreamer into a successful business owner.”

—Amy Franko, author of The Modern Seller

From the Publisher