Motherswork: How A Young Mother Started A Business On A Shoestring And Built It Into Multi-Million Dollar Company

By Rebecca Matthias

With a new baby, little money, but lots of determination and drive, Rebecca Matthias started a business from scratch out of her home some eighteen years ago. Today her company, Mothers Work--which... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385495900
• ISBN13: 9780385495905
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Doubleday Business
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.9" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

The personal journey of a business woman

I took this book with me on a recent business trip to Chicago and had to force myself to stop reading it at a reasonable hour the first night so I could get some sleep. This book is not a how-to start a business and take it public kind of book, but rather a look at the woman who ended up doing precisely that and what it meant to her personally.It's interesting to read the other reviews, because obviously some readers wanted Rebecca to say that she had done it all on her own without any support from her family, or that she managed to create a multi-million dollar business, have a family, AND have time for hobbies, friends, and handicrafts. But the fact that Rebecca's husband and parents worked beside her doesn't detract from her achievement in my eyes. Nor was I surprised that she only has room in her life for immediate family and her business. As I consider whether and how much I want to grow my company, I look at her life and realize that I'm not as ambitious as she is. Yet I admire what she has done, and really admire her bravery as she bares herself in this revealing autobiography of her working years.Anyone who wants an honest inside look at what it takes in terms of commitment, hard work, and the ability to recover from mistakes and the inevitable setbacks along the way will enjoy reading Motherswork. Bravo to Rebecca for sharing her story with the rest of us.

A very inspiring book

The book is very inspiring and describes a real case study of a woman who done pretty well for herself and her business. For any woman that thinks about getting into business, it should be highly encouraging. I found it to be a great source of help and fun to read. In order to actually start establishing your own business, you might want to read additional books with more detailed explanation on the steps required to open the specific business you are thinking about. I must admit, I couldn't resist and read it twice.

An inspiration and a great read!

For anyone, male or female, who wants a great read about starting a business on a shoestring: Get a copy of this book. A truly funny, insightful, honest, inspirational, smart and, yes, useful book about entrepreneurship. I read Matthias' book once, then did something I don't believe I've never done before. I turned back to the first page and reread it. It was that good! Her mantra, "Think big, focus and never give up" are worth the price of the book!

Candid, Inspirational, Motivational

Rebecca does a great job of explaining the true ups and downs of doing what you love, and surviving during difficult times of building big business. It's refreshing to see an ordinary woman with ordinary means make it big, without tons of money and many degrees, the one thing she has is courage. Courage to follow a dream. She is very candid, admitting to mistakes and feelings she experienced during that time in a lighthearted and funny way. She's to be admired, a true inspiration. We all can learn from her. Excellent, must read for anyone wanting to go out on their own and begin a company or any mom needing inspiration to "go for it".

A business book that is truly inspirational, real and funny!

You can do it is the attitude of this book! Rebecca Matthias writes of her experiences starting a business out of her home with the depth and flow of a favorite river. It is always flowing and never too deep that you loose interest or have to stop to figure out what she is saying. The author tells of her own experiences in colorful situations that make you laugh and at times feel the frustation and stress she went through while starting a family and building Mothers Work, Inc. into the biggest maternity apparel company in the world. I highly recommend this book to any woman looking to start her own business and could use the inspiration and/or blue prints. Each chapter recaps like a business book but it by far more enjoyable to read than any business book I can think of. I passed it on to a friend who enjoyed reading it too!