Praise for The Parent Preneur Edge
‘Who needs an MBA? Julie’s book teaches you how to use your
parenting experiences to build a business. Brilliant stuff!’
–Mary Cantando, author, The Woman’s Advantage: 20 Women
Entrepreneurs Show You What It Takes to Grow Your Business
‘Finally! Something that successfully illustrates that parenthood
is clearly an asset to gaining the edge in business and success.
Julie has written a valuable book that inspires, motivates, and
educates.’
–Gina Robison-Billups, President, Moms In Business Network and The
International Association of Working Mothers
‘Whether you already have your own business or are thinking about
starting one, you need to read this book. Full of actionable ideas
that, when adopted, will bring benefits to your business before
you’re even done reading the book!’
–Dr. Tom Hill, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s
Soul
‘At last–a book that demolishes the polarization of parenting and
work! The skills and talents developed through parenting are a
mirror image of those developed and needed in entrepreneurship.
Julie Lenzer Kirk’s . . . firsthand experience blows away
abstractions and shows both parents and entrepreneurs how to
thrive. This is a necessary and inspiring book for anyone wanting a
whole life.’
–Margaret Heffernan, author, The Naked Truth and How She Does It,
Visiting Professor in Entrepreneurship, Simmons College School of
Management
‘Julie Lenzer Kirk integrates parenting and entrepreneurship in a
way that incorporates the best of both worlds with a message that
screams: You can do it all and enjoy it too!’
–Claudia Morrell, Executive Director, Center for Women and
Information Technology
‘This engaging book will inspire readers by showing them how the
lessons and skills they’ve learned as parents can give them an edge
in launching a business.’
–Rieva Lesonsky, Editorial Director, Entrepreneur magazine
‘Julie makes the case that parenthood and entrepreneurship are the
two toughest jobs you will ever love. Successful parenting skills
can be put to great use when you journey down the exciting path of
entrepreneurship. This book will help readers make that important
connection.’
–Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO, Enterprising Women magazine
‘Who needs an MBA? Julie’s book teaches you how to use your
parenting experiences to build a business. Brilliant stuff!’
–Mary Cantando, author, The Woman’s Advantage: 20 Women
Entrepreneurs Show You What It Takes to Grow Your Business
‘Finally! Something that successfully illustrates that parenthood
is clearly an asset to gaining the edge in business and success.
Julie has written a valuable book that inspires, motivates, and
educates.’
–Gina Robison-Billups, President, Moms In Business Network and The
International Association of Working Mothers
‘Whether you already have your own business or are thinking about
starting one, you need to read this book. Full of actionable ideas
that, when adopted, will bring benefits to your business before
you’re even done reading the book!’
–Dr. Tom Hill, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s
Soul
‘At last–a book that demolishes the polarization of parenting and
work! The skills and talents developed through parenting are a
mirror image of those developed and needed in entrepreneurship.
Julie Lenzer Kirk’s . . . firsthand experience blows away
abstractions and shows both parents and entrepreneurs how to
thrive. This is a necessary and inspiring book for anyone wanting a
whole life.’
–Margaret Heffernan, author, The Naked Truth and How She Does It,
Visiting Professor in Entrepreneurship, Simmons College School of
Management
‘Julie Lenzer Kirk integrates parenting and entrepreneurship in a
way that incorporates the best of both worlds with a message that
screams: You can do it all and enjoy it too!’
–Claudia Morrell, Executive Director, Center for Women and
Information Technology
‘This engaging book will inspire readers by showing them how the
lessons and skills they’ve learned as parents can give them an edge
in launching a business.’
–Rieva Lesonsky, Editorial Director, Entrepreneur magazine
‘Julie makes the case that parenthood and entrepreneurship are the
two toughest jobs you will ever love. Successful parenting skills
can be put to great use when you journey down the exciting path of
entrepreneurship. This book will help readers make that important
connection.’
–Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO, Enterprising Women magazine
Table of Content
Foreword ixChapter 1 Running a Business Is Like Raising a Child 1
My Third Child 1
Embracing the Parallels 4
Business or Parenting? 6
Embracing the Edge 11
The Personal Side 12
Chapter 2 Preparing for Entrepreneurship 15
Introduction 16
Deciding to Take the Plunge 16
Thinking About the Future 23
Keeping It Simple 28
Having a Financial Plan 34
Redefining Control 38
Resources for Writing a Business Plan 42
Other Resources for Starting a Business 43
Chapter 3 Launching 45
Introduction 47
Forgetting the Pain 47
Keeping Names in Perspective 50
Passion Is Required 53
Becoming Bonded 59
Sleep Is a Luxury 62
Maintaining Perspective 66
Additional Resources 69
Chapter 4 The Early Years 71
Introduction 72
Choosing Laughter over Tears 72
Learning ‘On the Job’ 74
Wearing Many Hats 77
Teaching Your Baby to Feed Herself 79
Never Wake a Sleeping Baby 81
Spit (up) Happens 85
Persuading Creatively 89
Waiting for Delayed Gratification 92
Surviving the Terrible Twos 97
Embracing ‘No’ as Good 100
Additional Resources for The Early Years 105
Chapter 5 Ramping Up: A Time to Learn 107
Introduction 107
Following Through 108
Disciplining in Anger 111
Refusing to See the Truth 114
Earning Respect 117
Guarding Your Time 121
Knowing Your Kid 125
Celebrating the Small Stuff 129
Picking Your Battles 132
Getting Rid of the ‘I Can’ts’ 135
Asking for Support 137
Resources for Growing Businesses 144
Chapter 6 Growing Pains 147
Introduction 148
Allowing for Mistakes 148
Combating Entitlement 152
Getting Out of the Details 155
Creating Consistency 158
Encouraging Productive Conflict 162
Choosing Your Friends Wisely 168
Not Taking It Personally 171
Communicating Effectively 173
Celebrating Uniqueness 179
Additional Resources 184
Chapter 7 Emerging Independence 187
Introduction 188
Making Your Presence Known 188
Flying Alone 196
Training Your Replacement 199
Setting Boundaries 203
Wanting to Be Liked 207
Fair Is Not Equal 212
The Team Approach 214
Resources for Businesses’ Emerging Independence 217
Chapter 8 Exercising Your Exit 219
Introduction 221
Business Exit–The Sale 221
Walking Away 228
The Succession Plan 233
What Next? 234
Recommended Reading 236
Chapter 9 Having It All–Myth or Reality? 237
Overcoming Stereotypes 238
Show Me the Money! 244
Identifying the Glass Balls 245
Defining Your Model of Success 249
Providing a Role Model 252
The ‘B’ Word 257
A New Model 261
Chapter 10 The Edge 265
Resourcefulness 266
Perseverance 267
Patience 267
Passion 268
Vision 269
The Bottom Line 270
Index 271
About the author
Julie Lenzer Kirk is an award-winning entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering others into entrepreneurship. She is a business owner, mentor, author, international speaker, community volunteer, and mother of two. Julie founded her first company, a software and services firm called Applied Creative Technologies, Inc. (ACT), when her children were young, and grew her business to multimillions in revenues. After cashing out and selling ACT’s software to a business partner, she now teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and runs another business, Path Forward International. Through this new venture, she offers workshops, consulting, and keynotes to give entrepreneurial companies and individuals a ‘Boot in the Butt’ to launch new ideas, grow existing ventures, find their work/life balance, and fine-tune their leadership skills. You can subscribe to Julie’s monthly Boot in the Butt newsletter through her Web site at www.Julie Lenzer Kirk.com.
Language English ● Format PDF ● Pages 288 ● ISBN 9780470167502 ● File size 3.6 MB ● Publisher John Wiley & Sons ● Published 2007 ● Edition 1 ● Downloadable 24 months ● Currency EUR ● ID 2314869 ● Copy protection Adobe DRM
Requires a DRM capable ebook reader