Give it All You Got: Unleashing Your Entrepreneurial Spirit

Entrepreneurship is far more than just an idea or creative brainstorm related to a new product or service. It is a complex set of steps aimed at turning creative thoughts into profits. In fact, I was inspired to write a book that bridged the gap between the two extremes of primary writings on entrepreneurship. On one hand, there are technical manuals that provide structure for a business plan. On the other hand, there are motivational books that inspire entrepreneurs to take action. I set out to blend technical tasks and motivational messages. In this way, this book is designed to help entrepreneurs establish and strengthen their brands and to adopt a strong business and operations infrastructure. The technical guidance is fortified with motivational messages to encourage entrepreneurs to go the distance particularly during times of adversity. Part 1: Conceptualizing the Personal Commitment to Entrepreneurship The first three (3) chapters are personal and require undertaking intense, transparent analysis to determine if you are ready to commit to an entrepreneurial way of life. At the conclusion of part one (1), entrepreneurs should understand the responsibility for taking full ownership of being in the "drivers" seat. Part 2: Business Planning, Brand Management, and Team-Building Chapters four (4) through six (6) highlight detailed activities for business planning and early product or service launch. This phase of entrepreneurship is about developing a roadmap, and customizing business monitoring dashboards to gauge performance as you prepare to go the distance. During this phase you also make preliminary decisions about the types of passengers that will ride in the car as 'dream team" members. Part 3: Growing, Sustaining, and Failing Better Chapters seven (7) and eight (8) provide strategies for advancing into the "fast lane" and developing coping strategies for "crashes" on any given day on the entrepreneurial highway. Over time, you learn to maintain multiple lanes as you manage existing business and gear up to take advantage of growth opportunities. Part 4: Synchronizing Priorities and the Pursuit of Entrepreneurship The final phase, chapters nine (9) and ten (10), entails using the "cruise control" feature as you master the process of balancing business management and personal life priorities. At this point in the entrepreneurial journey, you should focus on institutionalizing the principles and best practices that serve as the foundation for the entrepreneurial lifestyle. At the conclusion of each chapter I highlight my own battle-tested responses to each of the questions I now pose to other entrepreneurs. I made lots of mistakes and missteps but never failed in the traditional definition of failure. I learned how to work more effectively and learned to embrace "failure" as opportunities for growth. Some of my best learned lessons in business were painful, some were quite expensive. However, I vowed to turn those mistakes into examples of what "not to do." Over time these experiences grew into wisdom; and wisdom became the seeds of success for coaching others on pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. To gain the full benefits of my approach you must value patience, perseverance, and the core principles of project management. Without these virtues my executive coaching method will not be effective for you. In my portfolio I promote proven tools and processes, not "get rich quick schemes". I believe in intense planning periods to establish strong foundations. I also promote compliance with government and other regulatory agencies, and establishing personal priorities. If you share my values, principles, and priorities, then this book promises to serve as a blueprint to help you develop your own personal roadmap in preparation for your authentic entrepreneurial "drive." Authentic Entrepreneurs.......Start your engines.......Now Let's Go!