Holly Hurd distilled the process of generating extra income into 12 no-nonsense steps that can be done in 12 weeks or less. Read on below in this interview with Holly about her new book.
What inspired you to write Venture Mom: From Idea To Income In Just 12 Weeks?
People have so many great ideas and I want to show them how easy it is to take their idea or talent and turn it into a paying business venture. My eyes often glaze over when I hear complicated plans for starting a business and I’m sure many feel the same way. I’ve distilled the process into 12 no-nonsense steps that can be done in 12 weeks or less.
Each of my chapters could take an entire book to cover. I’ve worked to keep the process simple so that by the end of the 12th week, the reader gets their first paycheck. I’m a big believer in learning from others and to that end, I’ve interviewed over 200 women for my website and learned so much that I wanted to share. Many of these stories are in the book. By reading what others have done to build a successful business, you learn how to translate those ideas for your own use.
Could you give us a quick high-level summary of your entrepreneurial background?
By high level do you want to hear about the countless lemonade stands, paper routes and tag sales I had as a child. 🙂
I began trading commodities right out of college and started my own hedge fund at 23. In that arena I had several of my own ventures including authoring a book, a by-mail library of out of print trading books, an industry advertising deck and a public speaking career. After selling that business I went on to develop a line of glass coffee tables that were sold to local designers for their clients. Other ventures have included real estate ventures. But the most fun I’m having now is showing others how to start a business and helping them grow a business.
Delving into your book now, who would benefit most from your book?
Anyone who wants to start a business around a talent, skill or product. The book covers business ventures in food, fashion, exercise, computers, children’s products and services, home decor products and services, pet supplies and services, and more. In each story, would-be or current entrepreneurs can garner ideas to use in their current or future business.
Whether you want to leave your full time job or just add some extra income to your bottom line, this book is for anyone who wants a simple plan for getting started. A big part of the audience is women who left the work force to raise their children and want to start their own business so they have the flexibility they require.
Out of all your advice you’ve given to others wanting to become an entrepreneur, which 2-3 points do think are most significant?
- Build your business around something you love and something that you are often complimented on.
- Develop simple branding – two colors and a specific font so users know it’s you.
- Own it – tell everyone you know what you are doing and tell them often.
What are the major sections of your book?
- Section 1: Figure out what to do – sometimes the hardest part for a wanna-be entrepreneur.
- Section 2: Get organized – come up with a great name, price your product or service, set up a web site, establish simple branding,
- Section 3: Tell the world – email, social media, networking.
- Section 4: Different areas of interest – food ventures, fashion ventures, web ventures, service ventures, home decor ventures, art.
Give us an interesting fun fact about your book or the research you conducted for your book.
People often call me the “Venture Detective” because I can talk with someone for a short time and come up with a business idea around something they already do. I’ve taken this skill and translated it into written form in the first three chapters of the book. People who want a business find that this section can change their lives. I find business ideas everywhere with just about everyone I meet. I offer this as a service called “VentureHour” on my website.
So many times when I’m interviewing an entrepreneur, it comes out that they used to do something prior to their real world job that circles back around in their lives. Then they rediscover their love or skill of something and build a business around it. The ultimate payoff that is universal in the people I’ve interviewed is in the form of more happiness in their work and more flexibility in their lives. You’ll see this in each of the Venture Stories in the book.
Given your experience, how would you describe an entrepreneur’s mindset?
Entrepreneurs are crazy….. they never give up and are passionate about what they are working to create. They eat, sleep and breath their business. They wake up with new ideas and plan to grow their ventures. All entrepreneurs are a little afraid to put their idea out into the world but once they do the feeling is one of exuberance.
The majority of the VentureMoms I covers in the book didn’t have a business plan, self funded their ideas to get started and didn’t have to hire a babysitter. “No business plan, no funding, no babysitter – no problem. These women did it and you can too.” – is the message of my book.
Where can people find out more about you and/or your book?
Go to VentureMom.com or email me at info@venturemom.com
What is the most important thing your book offers?
A simple plan: develop an idea, get a little organized and tell the world – it’s that easy!!!!
See more reviews of this book on Amazon.com by clicking here.
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