Out of Work? Get into Business!

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Doman presents entrepreneurship as a lifestyle as well as an occupation.
He’s sympathetic to, and empathetic with, the 30- to 50-year-old who
has been laid off from a long-term job and is looking at self-employment
as a way to replace lost income.

The book is fast-paced, contains enough “human-interest” examples
to be interesting without getting mired in the woes of any one industry,
and is an easy, quick read. Doman touches on the whole range of factors
and issues on self-employment—self-assessment, goal-setting,
financing, business plans, selling skills, licensing, insurance, etc. He
deals with roadblocks and barriers, opportunities and success
strategies. Throughout, the assumption is that the new business venture
will be small, probably run from a home office, and be a one-person
show, at least initially. The entrepreneur is in training to be the
president of the company; for now, he or she is also the janitor,
receptionist, and marketing manager.

The work concludes with 66 tips for success in business; these capture
the main points of the book in short, direct-to-the-point sentences, and
serve as both review and inspiration.

This book is a good starting point for anyone investigating
self-employment. Although subjects are not covered in detail, it is a
good overview of the issues and factors to consider.