FOREWORD

I have often credited ignorance with the starting and building of my business in 1977. I believe that if I had known what I was getting into, I would never have done it in the first place. But that is not a prescription for success, only for taking the risk. I probably could have gotten a lot further, and a lot faster, if this book had been available 34 years ago.

In the intervening years, I have seen friends, family, and acquaintances start businesses by the dozens. Some of them took the entrepreneurial path because they truly wanted to. Others were pressed into it as a result of layoffs, forced retirement, or burnout. Most limped along in their fledgling enterprises, and many failed. None of this was due to a lack of commitment, vision, ...

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