Cute Little Store: Between the entrepreneurial dream and business reality

By Adeena Mignogna

This edition details for entrepreneurs the little pitfalls that happen along the way during the first year of business, and how to not let those pitfalls get in the way of success. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598004360
• ISBN13: 9781598004366
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Loved It.

I really enjoyed this book. Anyone thinking of opening a small business should read this.

Entrepreneurs, this is the book you were looking for

This book is for Actual People who are actually starting or pondering their own business. This isn't a "Looking back after having founded [Apple | Starbucks | Toyota]", nor is it a theoretical course in business administration. It's the information you genuinely need. If you ever wanted to sit down with someone who had been running a successful small business for a few years and learn the real-world lessons they have learned, this book would be the transcript of exactly that conversation. I recommend it strongly.

Great Reality Check

This book should be required reading for anyone dreaming of starting a store. And for anyone who already has, this book will be part of your "support system" -- reminding you of what you have accomplished and letting you know you are not alone! Adeena is frank and honest about what the entrepreneurial dream really means in the first few years, and that is refreshing. The only danger is that if you haven't started your business yet, you may be tempted to think that what she talks about won't happen to you. Oh yes it will...and more! Reading this book is like talking to a friendly acquaintance who really wants to help you know what you are getting into.

Not just for entrepreneurs!

Finally! Someone has written a good book on this topic! I've lost count of the number of times I've been in a nice place when someone within earshot remarked something to the effect that they'd love to run a store/shop/resort/facility/etc. like this. Previously, I'd think to myself (or worse, say something) like, "What an idiot! Don't you know that retail/xxx is cutthroat! And if we are getting such a great deal/experience, isn't it possible that they (pointing to someone far away making things look so nice) aren't? Won't you get bored after 1 day? Aren't there enough businesses in this country already!" If I did engage myself in conversation, I'd just end up wasting time or being rude. Finally, at long last, I can just tell them about this book! It is the cure to explaining to anyone who has ever thought (ok, admit it, you probably have too) that just because you feel good being somewhere doesn't mean you would enjoy running the place. The author dispels this and many other myths about small businesses. The author wrote this book to fill a void between all the books out there telling you how to become the next Bill Gates, Michael Dell, etc. and those about how to start a business. Namely, it presents some of the issues that would need to be addressed after you start up a small business. Realistically, this is what is important to most people starting a business simply because most businesses are small and will stay that way. Books about Gates and Dell might sell like hotcakes, but I am not so sure they would be that helpful to the future or present average business owners. This book is definitely written for adults, but I would actually give a slightly more classroom-friendly version to all kids and make it part of a 3rd-grade course on economics if I were running things. Call me crazy, but I think kids who understand economics at an early age will be better off in life. It will help them start thinking about what they want to do with their lives. And this book will let them see early on just how life is on the other side of the counter whenever you take them somewhere. But like watching movie bloopers before the movie, it might also spoil events for them, since they will probably have a harder time "just enjoying" wherever you take them. On the bright side, they might be less likely to constantly nag you to take them to nice places. Have you ever asked someone a legal question only to hear a diatribe of gibberish followed by something that translates into "I have no clue now that I think about it, you'll definitely have to ask a lawyer to actually get any actual answer to your question." I hate when that happens. The author strikes a nice balance on this and similar areas, suggesting, for instance, that you get a good lawyer but not totally refraining from giving any legal advice. For instance, the website for the book has a link to a page at 4hb.com that lists about 600 different cookie-cutter legal forms. The book

This is a MUST read...

This is a must read for anyone interested in starting a small business, especially a retail business and extra especially a craft type or PYOP business. I love the "cute little tidbits" and the format is comfortable and easy to read, as if you are being spoken to. I also love the fact that you have used real life experiences (good and bad experiences) and that you are sharing this information so candidly and in such an entertaining way. The book is honest, true to life and fun to read. July 22, 2006 was my "cute little store's" ten year anniversary. The information is as pertinent to me as it is to someone exploring opening a business. It hits on a lot of experiences that I have gone through or thought about and some I have not. It reinforces what I've learned and reminds me what I need to do better. It is full of information and is a gem to read.