08.30.07

I love to read and I especially love to mix up my reading style. One week it might be a book about parenting or gardening, another week you'll find me in love with tales from ancient times and archaeological ruins, another week I am engrossed with a poignant memoir, yet another week my special leisure time is occupied with the latest best seller. Whenever I finish a book I am known to exclaim "This is the best book ever", so you know I am discerning in what I read.

This summer it has been my special pleasure to be among the first to read a great new book. This is a guide to running a business and is written by Julie Lenzer Kirk who is a successful entrepreneur and mother. She describes entrepreneurs who are parents as the ParentPreneur. Her business book presents a realistic plan for running ones own business from its very infancy. Julie writes "There is no entrance exam for becoming an entrepreneur or a parent. Most of us start businesses without all the skills or tools needed to success, but we do it anyway". Does this ring a bell?

The flow to this guide is excellent; the end of each segment has a great synopsis with additional resources which include books, support groups and web based materials. The chapters progress myriad with practical policies, strategies and approaches ranging from the nuts and bolts of maintaining a professional image to balancing the books, from inspiring to firing employees, from implementing cost effective  procedures for travel expenses and brochures to designing and obtaining office space.

I was stuck with the line "The ultimate similarity between parenting and entrepreneurship or any type of leadership is that you are building a legacy". It is obvious Julie Lenzer Kirk knows what she is doing and has respect for the process. This all encompassing guide was written by a pro who relates to us all as business people endowed with the special gift - The ParentPreneur Edge.
From one parentpreneur to another, I highly recommend it!