5 comments about 101 Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars: For Retirees (101 Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars).

1. Entrepreneurial endeavors are on the rise and this informational guide will undoubtedly provide a great resource to those interested in jumping on the bandwagon.
   
   Throughout the entire text, the authors take individuals step by step. The process begins with the positives and negatives involved in self-employment. A list of reasons to start a business is included and a list of resources to help is thrown into the mix.
   
   The two most helpful sections of this text are the self evaluation and the lists of business to start. The self evaluation walks the reader through a list of simple checklists on marketing, sales, administration, finances, and person characteristics. As you go through these checklists, you can easily see how qualified you are to start your own business. Once you're ready to move on, the guide gives a worksheet on calculating income needs and overhead costs; a checklist for building groundwork ends the self assessment.
   
   Extensive detail is put into the two business chapters of this book. For anywhere between $0 and $1000, you can jump into any of the opportunities listed. Each employment option includes the duties and education necessary, the income possibilities, the required equipment, the business base, and the clientele.
   
   Without a doubt, this is a fabulous resource!



2. 101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than One Thousand Dollars -- For Retirees
   By Heather L. Shepherd
   
   The author likens starting an entrepreneurial business to the process of making a cake. It takes a recipe, the right ingredients, a certain amount of time to bake, telling everyone the "cake" is ready, and then enjoying the sweet rewards.
   Being your own boss, she points out has its pros and cons and sometimes they are the same thing. Shepherd speaks from experience, having started several successful businesses on her own, she is sharing information that she has garnered from the experience. The book will serve as a guideline to anyone considering entrepreneurship and is organized in easy to follow steps that can be applicable to someone starting from scratch or a person segueing from a hobby to a money-making enterprise.
   Written specifically for the retiree who is contemplating a second career, either out of financial need or just the desire to remain active and involved, Shepherd approaches her subject with those details in mind.
   Two of the most important parts of the book are devoted to self-evaluation and the importance of a business plan. The individual is directed to ask themselves the hard questions. What is it that you are planning to do and how are you going to do it? Are you prepared for the work involved? Do you have or can you acquire the business skills? What will be the right business for you? And are you prepared to invest yourself in the every day maintenance required to be successful?
   Additionally, helpful resources and support for the small business owners are compiled in one section, which will save a person a lot of leg work, and a section on the kinds of businesses available is included.
   For someone just starting out, the minute details can be intimidating, but Shepherd points out that there are ways to be prepared for what comes at you. From advertising to the IRS, nothing should be scary, she says, if you are prepared. And that's the purpose of the book, to give the fledgling entrepreneur the tools to prepare him or herself for the adventure ahead. The rest, she says, is up to the individual who wants to be their own boss.
   
   By Marilee Reyes



3. Sandy Eckert
   Book Review 101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than $1,000: For Retirees ***** (5 stars)
   
   101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than $1,000: For Retirees is not an all-you-have-to-do-is-dream how-to. It is a well organized succinct book that tells retirees how to consider, invest in, open and operate a business based on an enjoyed activity, often a hobby. It is a think-invest-work book.
   In good old plain English author Heather L. Shepherd describes every aspect of setting yourself up in business, from the pros and cons of self-employment and business plan to financing and expanding your retirement career.
   That business plan can make or break you, writes Shepherd. In fact, "business plans are the most essential part of getting your business off the ground and in finding funding for your business." A lender won't even talk to you until seeing a business plan that contains all essential information, which Shepherd spells out clearly.
   Of course you might not need a loan to start your business, but each element in a business plan will keep you on track, will remind you of your goals so you don't go off on a tangent.
   Shepherd's two chapters that list business ideas are divided into those with start-up costs between $0 and $500 and those with start-ups ranging from $500 to $1,000. She also includes a list of what you need to start particular enterprises and how much annual income you can expect from each. For instance, if you want to be a cake decorator, you will need the proper kitchen tools in addition to the usual items, like telephone, fax, invoices and other necessities, and you can expect to make between $5,000 and $25,000 a year.
   In those chapters listing business possibilities there are several you might not think of, like astrology, animal breeder and disc jockey. Every chapter also includes at least one success story that consist of hows, whys, highs and lows of people's businesses.
   Overall, the step-by-step, clear instructions for every aspect of starting an inexpensive retirement business make this book a must-have for the new business person.
   



4. Heather Shepherd's book, "101 Businesses that you can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars; For Retirees," is a handy little book that every entrepreneur should own. Even though the book is geared toward the retired community, it would serve just as well to anyone else trying to start a business, such as employed people, stay-at-home parents, and even students.
   
   This thorough book is organized in an easy timeline format, from the seed idea to the grand opening celebration of your business. The ten chapters teach the would-be-businessperson how to choose the business that's right for them, how to create a business plan, how to obtain a business loan, how to set up a home office, and other important parts. Some of the chapters are interactive with questions to evaluate your business skills, with checklists and forms to help you on your way, as well as some success stories.
   
   The book includes a lengthy alphabetized list of business career options, in case the entrepreneur is undecided about which business to start. Each business option is conveniently broken down into several sections, such as your main duties, how much will the business make, target clientele, and helpful online and book resources, to name a few. The list of businesses includes anything from an astrologer to animal trainer and beyond. Most importantly, as the author suggest, one must believe in themselves and in their product to make their chosen business a successful venture.



5. I am no where near retirement age, but with my parents getting closer and closer to that phase out stage I am increasingly aware of the need for them to have something that they can call their own. An income producing business that will allow them the flexibility of long vacations visiting the grandkids, or just weekends off when they need it.
   
   Heather L. Shepard comes to the rescue with her timely book, "101 Businesses you can start for less than One Thousand Dollars for Retirees". This book is informative while telling it like it is. Starting your own business is not easy and you are not going to get rich quick. And this is a good way to start the book because it's been my experience that any book that makes making money sound simple will not deliver between the covers. The meat of Ms. Shepard's book does not fail to deliver. Ms. Shepard gives an honest look into starting your own home business and goes on to give a step- by- step guideline for getting it done. She first explores whether or not starting a home business is what you should even attempt. After all not everyone is able to manage himself or herself. She then goes on to tell, in detail, how to do it. This is refreshing as so many how to books tell you what to do, but fall short on the "how to do".
   
   The text is presented in a readable format that won't leave retirees bored or re-reading paragraphs over and over trying to pick apart the meaning. I am sure that this alone will make this book popular amongst the retiree set. My parents, who love to read, do not enjoy wasting their time trying to dissect verbose paragraphs that lead to nowhere.
   
   The personal profiles presented in the book were a nice addition as well. Ms. Shepard gives an in depth look into how these people took their businesses from concept to reality. The profiles were interesting to read and encouraging to any retiree who is not quite ready to hang up their "work shoes".
   What makes this book a jewel is that Ms. Shepard then goes on to give ideas for the kinds of businesses that retirees can start and provides detailed information on how much it will cost, how much you can expect to make, and how much time and energy you will have to put into making a go at each prospective business. She also references helpful websites and organizations that retirees can use for guidance.
   
   This book is a must have for anyone who is ready to call their own shots.

No comments about Special Event Production: The Resources.

2 comments about The Complete Guide to Investing in Undervalued Properties.

1. I enjoyed the majority of this author's book. Good insight into developing relationships with referral sources for undervalued properties. I know he has a great deal of knowledge, I like more in depth information.



2. I bought this book and was pleasantly surprised at how informative it was. Finding undervalued properties in any market is tough, although it appears author Berges has found some. He lays out the pitfalls and encourages everyone to invest, but be cautious. He owns a building company and knows what to looks for, so don't be foolhardy and fall in love with the first property you see. Overall, a good read for those wanting to invest, or start investing.

5 comments about Secrets To Creating Passive Income and becoming financially free (Revenue Beyond).

1. I was skeptical when I got this book that it probably was a sales pitch for someone else's 'money making system.' I was so pleasantly surprised to find one great suggestion after another with real resources. The brainstorming sessions using my own experience to get ideas, then applying these suggestions was such a powerful combination, I'm sure to be successful as I try these new ways to generate income.
   
   I will be financially free, sooner than I ever expected, now that I've read this book!



2. This is the first book I've ever returned to Amazon. In my opinion it's absolute rubbish.. and certainly not worth anywhere near the $24.95 price tag. I think the only "Financial Freedom" you're contributing to are the authors.
   
   The ideas presented were seriously simple-minded. Like "write a book", "MLM", etc. And when they got into Stock Market or Real Estate investing, it basically told you nothing, and their recommendations are to either more of their books, their friends' books, or others through the publisher's website (via handy provided URL link).
   
   Just be forewarned before ordering this book. Really not much substance to it at all.
   
   Total Fluff.[...]
   
   Note: the [...] is Amazon's censorship of my full review. Be wary of the other shill reviews.



3. Someone dissatisfied felt this book did not help them. One quick comment than my results! Put it into action!
   
   I myself began USING the information within this book and began to see an increase in money coming to me. The review is there to let you know about the book not the people writing about it.
   
   I would challenge anyone to read one chapter and follow through with what the author is asking you to do than see if it works. Everyone is a critic yet put a little action behind it before you say anything. I have and I can show the success I had!



4. I liked it. It is a brave book to take on this topic this way.
   
   I can see the potential in these pages and it is unlimited, but it is unlike any other finance book out there - at least in my experience, most of those assume your head's in the wrong place and they want to fix your thinking to help you 'feel more abundant.' Frankly, I'm tired of those and I liked this approach.
   
   Through case studies, the authors make their points and then show you how to apply that concept to your own situation. It is pretty simple, straight forward and easy to implement. If you're not where you want to be financially, go ahead and do all the inner work you want, but when you're ready to figure out HOW to get it done, get this book!



5. 1. Write something
   2. Make a website
   3. ...
   4. Profit
   
   Alternatively you can make a speech, join an affiliate program, sell dogs, or... come up with your own idea.
   
   If the authors had lived 50 years ago they would've sold tupperware, 100 years ago it would've been miracle elixir.
   
   The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss is 1000x more interesting, useful, creative and inspiring.

5 comments about Scams & Swindles: Phishing, Spoofing, ID Theft, Nigerian Advance Schemes Investment Frauds: How to Recognize And Avoid Rip-Offs In The Internet Age.

1. There is a well-known wise saying, Caveat Emptor, which is the Latin for Buyer Beware. In other words, when purchasing goods or services it is essential that the buyer take all precautions in examining the item or services they are purchasing.
   
   The editors of the Silver Lake Publishers have produced an excellent and pragmatic book, Scams & Swindles: How to Recognize and Avoid Internet Era Rip-Offs that focuses on many of the common con tricks and scams that deceive individuals and consumers, particularly if we are involved in some way or another with the Internet-be it email or otherwise.
   It is noteworthy to mention that although some of these scams seem to be relatively new, their modus operandi dates back hundreds of years in that they are based on the con artist's imagination and the victim's gullibility.
   
   The book takes a very realistic look at Internet scams and lays bare important details pertaining to such frauds as eBay auctions, the Nigerian emails emanating from some fake high government official requesting the use of your bank account to transfer funds, scams that involve investment, business and banking, fake charities, sweetheart and Russian bride swindles, drugs and pharmaceuticals rip-offs.
   The authors also include weighty specifics as to how Internet hackers operate and commit their crimes, as well as something that is becoming more common today- phishing. This basically is when you receive emails from a financial institution that cleverly resembles one you are presently dealing with and you are requested to provide some very personal information. A further variation of the same theme is that it may originate from a site that appears to be Ebay requesting your pin number and some other important data. Internet criminals have become even more sophisticated in their implementation of phishing, wherein an email, instant message or other Internet communication is sent to you in someone else's name. As the authors point out, it really boils down to a form of identity theft.
   
   Other topics examined and that we are often subjected to in our daily use of the Internet are the nasty and very often annoying practices of spam and spyware. Spam today is not only restricted to pornography, it also involves get-rich-quick schemes or a miracle drugs. In fact, as the authors point out, a study by a British computer security firm, Clearswift Ltd, discovered in 2004 that finance spams topped the list of the most popular with 39%, whereas pornography was at the bottom of the list, 4.8%.
   
   The authors have obviously done their research and they have completed an impressive job in putting together all of the information in a clear, upbeat and conversation style that present readers with valuable insights into the world of Internet crime.
   
   The message is unmistakable, think twice before clicking something within the body of an email or giving out information to anyone and always bear in mind caveat emptor. Moreover, the authors' elaborate suggestions that appear throughout the book as to how to prevent problems should not go unheeded.
   
   Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures



2. The book is a hallmark of our current Internet experiences. The editors go through the various scams circulating on the Web. Like the Nigerian 419. Or the Russian/East European mail order brides. Or the fake prescription drugs. An amazing compendium of the darknet. Some readers may be scared off the net. But more likely, you will gain some protection simply by being aware of the book's advice.
   
   One chapter is devoted to phishing. Where an email purports to be from a bank, and breathlessly urges you to log in to your account, to ascertain some important detail. Or the email might say it is from eBay or Paypal, with similar urgencies. The chapter is instructive for many readers. But please note that the editors do not offer anything in the way of a technical antiphishing solution. Their methods involve manual effort on your part. Alas, there will always be gullible or inexperienced users to fall prey to phishers.



3. Scams & Swindles: How To Recognize And Avoid Internet Era Rip-Offs is a basic primer packed with insights any Internet user should be aware of. From Nigerian schemes and money laundering to phishing, id theft and investment frauds, Scams & Swindles covers method, purpose, and how to avoid becoming a victim. Mortgage fraud, spam and spyware receive insights too all with an eye to Internet dangers.



4. This small sized book identifies and explains the identity theft spectrum and how it occurs. It tells how we are taken in by con men and women and how to prevent it. In some cases, we are even shown how to bring to justice these heartless criminals.



5. I think this book really should be a must read for anyone who in online. Internet security is a big problem, and as truly unpleasant as spam is, as malware is, as viruses are... they are NOTHING in comparison to identity theft and to internet cons that drain bank accounts.
   
   According to the first chapter there are ten million americans scammed and swindled every year. That number is staggering to me. To put it into perspective... there are 120 countries on the earth that have less people in their borders than the number of people swindled in America every year. Portugal. Sweden. Switzerland. The Domincan Republic. Chad. Finland and Norway combined. There are more people swindled in America than even live in the countries that I just named. That is insane.
   
   Here are the things I liked about this book and why I think it should be read:
   
   1. It is an easy to read writing style. Not too techy. Not too legalese.
   2. It tells about real life stories. Not just hypothetical scenarios. Lots of actual cases of scams and swindles.
   3. It gets the information and advice and perspective from not just the law enforcement involved, but from the victims and from the actual con artists.
   4. It breaks the scams down step by step, including the variations, and shows how to know when you are being scammed.
   
   Internet security is so important in this day and age of identity theft, internet cons, and hacking of personal information. There is only so much that software can do to protect us. Frankly, we have to be knowledgeable and protect ourselves.

2 comments about The Right Way to Invest in Mutual Funds (Money America's Financial Advisor).

1. This book assumes a basic knowledge of mutual funds but goes into the nuances you need to really ferret out the winning funds and also helps you put together a great portfolio based on your timeframes. I would have given it a 10 but it was hard to use as a reference after reading it through since the important information was sprinkled throughout the chapters and appendices. It was long enough to have the pertinent information you need but short enough to be able to read through it in a few evenings.



2. I recommend this book strongly to all those who are starting out as mutual fund investors. It provides a clear analysis of the issues and tradeoffs involved in mutual fund investing and explains all the relevant concepts and terminology. It also teaches a fundamental tenet of investing - "set a limit on your greed"!!

1 comments about Survival Guide for the Administrative Assistant.

1. I am a newly promoted admin assistant who has never had a job where I have my own desk, phone, computer, etc. I have worked with my present employer for almost four years now, so I already knew what I was in for in terms of culture, etc. I was hoping this book would give me an overview of the other details I was not so familiar with - MS Office skills, phone etiquette, meetings, etc.
   
   First of all, the section in this book about MS Office programs (Word and Outlook) is for the older versions of these programs. I have very limited experience with these programs and the chapter was informative. However, at my workstation I am using MS Office 2007, which this book does not cover. There is also no section on Excel (though there is a section on tables in the part about Word). For someone who has limited experience and who is using the older version of these programs (and who has no need of Excel!) this book would be useful. However, while interesting it doesn't really fit my needs.
   
   The section on phone etiquette and customer service was very good. There is a great list of things to say and not say when talking on the phone with a caller. The email etiquette section was very short, and the dress code section was only two paragraphs. The chapter on customer service assumed that almost all customer interaction would be taking place over the phone. There was very little advice about how to deal with a customer face to face.
   
   The section on meetings is extensive and is designed for large and complicated meetings that may take place off-site. It was extremely informative; unfortunately it's not something that pertains to my position.
   
   There is also a large section that deals with the hiring and training of new employees. Again, great if that's something you need, but a lot of it was also common sense (make sure you give them the code for the copier, etc).
   
   The book is also somewhat oddly put together. There are many pages where a quote is left hanging at the top of an empty page, only to have the next page full of lines for notes. There seem to have been some formatting issues, and I spotted one or two gramatical errors as well. There was also a section in the back with real estate forms, which I thought odd as there was no chapter in the book dealing with real estate as it relates to being an administrative assistant.
   
   Ultimately, this is a good book if you need a very basic introduction to older versions of MS Word and Outlook, if you have no need of Excel, if you need basic phone and email etiquette, if you need ideas about how to plan large meetings off-site, and if you are involved with hiring and training of new employees. There were a few things I found that I thought were helpful, but largely this book was not very useful to me.

5 comments about Body of Truth: Leveraging What Consumers Can't or Won't Say.

1. Interesting to see that what we've learned in depth-psychology and mythology is finding its way into market-research insights. Hill's book is a good read with colorful examples, a conversant style and keen insights. He's offering the industry a paradigm shift that is sure to attract the next generation of achievers.



2. The subtitle is so very intriguing: "Leveraging what Customers Can't or Won't Say." I had expected something more in-depth into the theory and, more importantly, into the application of the concepts and findings. As a previous reviewer has said, if you are new to the topics of how the mind works, emotional branding and use of story, then this may be a decent introduction. But if you are even somewhat acquainted with these topics, then you may find this book disappointingly lacking.



3. You might think a book about measuring sensory responses to advertising stimuli would be either A) dry and boring or B) a soft-peddle pitch to get you to buy some expensive consulting gig rigged for sensory measurement...but this book is neither. It's a well-written, entertaining, thought-provoking and practical guide to re-thinking your approach to message development. Dr. Hill shares his experience and rich data with you in an easy-to-read book that breaks down his thinking in short, chewable chunks. I carried the book with me in my briefcase for a week, biting off 5-10 pages at a time between appointments and finding myself itching to get back into it at every available interval. All along the way, I was scribbling notes in the margins and underlining lots of material in anticipation that this would be a book I'd refer back to again and again in my travels with clients and creative types. Dr. Hill's "story line" approach to brand building is something I was able to put into play immediately upon finishing the book. I had a large campaign I was working on for a client and was able to integrate some of the "story line" thinking into our presentation in a way that made me sound like a visionary in consumer research! The client was impressed, the campaign turned out great and now we're anticipating additional work. More than just fad research, this book has staying power. And the examples Dr. Hill gives in each chapter create a veritable checklist for creating ad campaigns that not only circumvent conventional thinking, but resonate with the audience. I highly recommend "Body of Truth" to anyone in advertising, especially the creatives who are responsible for building brands and getting the message through in a cluttered media environment.



4. Have you ever seen something that looks to go to be real or even wonder how much of a front someone is putting up? Well that's the case with Dan Hill. His message seems good but meeting him in person was a completely different expereince. For someone that makes his life dealing and reading people you would think that the man would be more responsive and respectfull of people. I have a feeling that this book and person is a completely front.



5. very good book for marketeers and ad people, explaining the power and importance of emotions and emotional intelligenge in our lives and our consumer behavior.
   the funniest thing is that Hill's BODY OF TRUTH was written before Kevin Roberts' LOVEMARKS, but it is saying more or less the same...

No comments about Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals (UN Millennium Project).

2 comments about Whistleblowing: A guide to government reward programs (How to collect millions for reporting fraud).

1. This is a weak effort in my opinion to publish a book with very little new information on the new Whistleblower legislation that became effective in 2007 with the establishment of a mandated Whistleblower Office. The author, who is an attorney, makes frequent statements as to why you should hire an attorney ... hmmm.



2. "Whistleblowing" is a wealth of information and a great read not only for a potential whistleblower, but for anyone with an interest in what happens with those big companies that are illegally scamming the government out of millions of dollars, and how those whistleblowers end up with so much money.
   The book articulates numerous fraudulent schemes, including those that Hesch either personally dealt with or came across in his career as an attorney with the Department of Justice in the Civil Fraud section (from medicaid to the military). The point-by-point explanation of both the schemes as well as what to do to report that fraud helps readers discern if their employer is cheating the government. This book isn't just about what fraud looks like; it tells you what you can do about it.
   The purpose of the book is to help you get a reward by partnering with the government. "Whistleblowing" thus provides the "Four F Factors" that must be a part of your claim to garner the federal government's attention; the Federal reward program follows a complex, intimate structure, and Hesch provides 15 years of experience in helping potential whistleblowers follow those details. Hesch leaves no stone unturned as he discuses that rigid schema that must be followed to even have the claim considered by the DOJ, the downfalls of reporting and filing, advice on picking an attorney, and options if the DOJ declines your case. Hesch avoids bogging the reader down with extraneous legal terms, and those he chooses to discuss he explains clearly and articulately.
   In one book, you get your first glimpse into if you could qualify as a whistleblower, the steps you take to become one, how long such an action takes, and your further options after the fact.
   Not only does the author provide a wealth of legal information, he also offers a solid, entertaining book. Hesch's prose style is reader-friendly and leads you through some complicated legal issues with ease and familiarity. He includes personal stories of his work in the DOJ as well as case studies that bring those concepts to life. The author offers a unique perspective to these cases through his extensive career, and provides needed insight, information, and a guide to the best chance to get your qui tam case picked up by the DOJ with the potential of earning a substantial reward.
   Hesch doesn't stop with this comprehensive guide to the federal reward program. He delves into state reward programs and even touches on the new IRS reward program.
   This is a book jam-packed with important information couched in a readable and friendly dialogue with the reader. Whether you're wondering how to blow that whistle or looking for an entertaining and enlightening book, "Whistleblowing: A Guide to Government Reward Programs" is for you.