The $100 Startup: Fire Your Boss, Do What You Love and Work Better To Live More

I bought this book last Christmas in order for me to get inspired by some of the stories in this book. I was amazed as to how well written and engaging those stories were. I really loved this book because at some point in your life a decision must be made and one of them is knowing whether you have the 'balls' to jump into the entrepreneur world. I've been thinking about business ideas for a long time now (I'm 27 y/o) but never really gone for one of them. I work in digital as a full-time job and I can see on a daily basis how people just come up with businesses online and (in most cases) make a living out of it. This book really helped me go for it. It just makes you realize how simple an online business can be. It's the perfect platform to discover whether your idea will triumph or not in no time (and no cost). I believe there are many people in my situation, wanting to go solo but not having the time or motivation because of your full-time jobs. This book comes in handy because it aso demonstrates that you can start small, very small and just keep meeting people at events, go to online meetups, co-working and networking spaces. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who desires to change his daily life at least a little bit for the better. PS: I decided to buy this same book to my father because even though hes been there and done it, a little reminder of how the business world really starts of it's no harm to anyone. Moreover, he absolutely loved it! Thanks, Chris Guillebeau

Full of short but interesting case studies of people who have started their own small businesses (some 1-person, some niche, some part-time, some on-line, etc). Provides some ideas for low level, low cost networking/marketing aspects. Very worthwhile reading if you are wondering if/how to start something small yourself.

I've followed Chris Guillebau's blog for a while now and The 100$ Startup is the best writing he has done so far. It's written in an uplifting tone without technical jargon or superfluous material. The book is crammed with practical information on how to launch a small company. There is an abundance of insights and ideas, all backed up by countless stories from everyday people, who have successfully launched their own companies without massive loans, intricate business plans or years of planning. Chris stresses the importance of starting small and testing ones ideas on the market. The book is more concise than the Art of Non-Conformity, The (Guillebeau's previous book). The book is not aimed at a specific field, but has general advice on how to develop and refine valuable businesses. There is a big section devoted to product launches and creating sustainable value for customers. The book is very sincere and promotes a philosophy of increasing freedom to lead the lives we want. It has deeply inspired me and I look forward to apply the many ideas to my own company. 5/5

I bought this book because I have been thinking about starting a business for some time. And I can definitely recommend this book! The book stands out through its pragmatic approach with many examples without the typical "get rich quickly" promise. It is about being embracing uncertainty when starting a business and achieving a big impact with minimal resources. The best part of this book are the diverse examples that help you to think about your ideas. Personally, 'The $100 Startup' helped me get closer to understanding and pursuing my entrepreneurial dreams. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a change, no matter how big or small, in their entrepreneurial journey. Even if you do not want to start a business, it is a good read!

First of all, I think this book might be of interest to those who are waiting for that little impulse to start their own businesses as it really provides some inspiration. Having said that, the whole book could be easily be summarized in one sentence, "do what you enjoy and love to do". I bought the book thinking that it was going to be a list of stories about entrepreneurs who built their business with low budgets. Rather than that, I found a book about entrepreneurship talking about conversion rates, business models, launch strategies and such topics, which honestly (and having already a lot about it) don't excite me at all. And well... the entrepreneurs' stories are kind of scattered around across the whole book in small mentions or little paragraphs. Which I heat as I use to read books a few pages per day which makes almost unbearable to read this one. So, if you are like me thinking about buying this book because you enjoy reading comprehensive entrepreneurship stories, then think twice. And the point made by some of the commentators about the author promoting his own businesses was right, although I think it is fair enough, but you may not. Still rating it as 3 stars as it is cheap and I still think it might be useful/inspirational to other people.

if you're thinking or are starting your business, this book contains so many keys to build the right foundation to drive success. this is easy to read, full of concrete advice and guide to start crafting your offer and ensure you'll get clients sooner rather than later. I love all the various examples and stories shared. great way to remember the dos and donts as you start. It makes things way more easy to grasp. I truly enjoyed this book, how easy, comprehensive and real it is.

As a former assistant professor of English who is now launching a new online tutoring business, I found this book invaluable. The author is a great writer and even though this book was originally published more than a decade ago, the lessons taught by the various entrepeneurs in the book are still relevant in today's world. As a Canadian, I was also impressed that some of the case studies were from Canadian microbusinesses, and from other countries throughout the world. If you need inspiration to launch your own microbusiness and finally be your own boss, this book is for you! The next book on my list is another by Chris Guillebeau, called Born For This, and I will start reading it tomorrow!

The book is divided into 16 chapters which are always structured in the same way. Introduction, examples and explanation on the topic of the chapter, partly with "exercises". The chapters are concluded with the Key Points, a kind of summary. Easy to read and always interesting because of the many examples. Who thinks about creating an additional income for himself certainly a help. It is almost always the idea and the perseverance with which one stays on it that brings success. Chris Guillebeau has given himself a task, namely to travel all countries until he is thirty. On the way there, he learned how to get by without a steady job. It's not about getting rich, it's about shaping his life. For his second book he interviewed many people who run a microbusiness and finance their lives with it. From the many interviews and his own experiences he has made a book which describes what you can do to be/become independent. It is a guide how to create an income with work that you determine yourself. It will still be work, but the basic idea is to say, think about how you want to live your life and then rebuild your work so that it could be done. If it does not work, try something else. Through the many examples show that it is normal people who have normal ideas to create their life and income. I am a University of Twente Honors student enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Business Development track and this was my recommended reading

Life changing stuff. Really enjoyed the lessons I learned that will help me turn around after my first “failed” business and do the right thing in my next one!

easy to understand content , rich of information and joyful when reading

-The author comes up with a simple formula that passion+usefulness=success and has described case studies of people who started with less and became successful. The profile of such people are carefully chosen and many are on their way to earn income from their side Gig that will make them quit their original job. -Some of those successful people described include excel guru (BFF for excel); travel agent (side GIG); Evernote tutorial book author; accidental photographer etc. All these profile became successful in earning a good income. They didn’t use high capital as one might think to start their GIG. -The importance of “solopreneur” is discussed. These start-ups don’t require team or the work can be outsourced instead of hiring full time employes. -Bonus for this book: The author in the appendix of the book makes in tabular form 25 case studies which he described. Name-Business-Description-Promise