Startup Nation by JEFFREY SLOAN, Rich Sloan (2005, Paperback)

America is a nation of entrepreneurs. Six million new businesses are started each year, and small businesses—from online diamond dealers to neighborhood cafes to biotech companies—generate 70 percent of new jobs in the U.S. annually. Brothers Jeff and Rich Sloan, the founders of StartupNation, have helped start dozens of successful businesses and have guided and encouraged thousands of others through their Web site, e-newsletters, and syndicated radio talk show.

STARTUPNATION examines every aspect of smart entrepreneurship, including figuring out your tolerance for risk, taking advantage of your skills and past accomplishments, and focusing on what you love to do.

The Sloans bring their lessons home through the stories of a wide variety of successful ventures, from their own patented invention, the Battery Buddy®, which generated more than $1 million in royalties; to other entrepreneurs’ dream businesses. Among them, Dada, a fashion brand that now produces the sneaker designs worn by L.A. Laker Karl Malone and other athletes; and the booming online business ShopInPrivate.com, where people can order the things they’re embarrassed to buy at their local drug stores.

STARTUPNATION presents a master course in taking a good idea, executing it well, and avoiding the mistakes that cause businesses to fail. It’s an indispensable road map to pursuing the dream of running your own show, enjoying the freedom, and reaping the profits.