This book has a lot of examples and is a keeper. This was a required text in one of my college courses and was a fun easy read. It is structured by common mistakes others have made so it allows you to learn quickly by example.

This book is very dry and hard to read. There is some great information enclosed yet it is really hard to access. I also didn't appreciate that at every moment possible the author seems to downgrade the ability of the self employed, multiple times it is suggested that under no circumstances should you chose to be a sole proprietor, which for me seems to disregard those that are starting out on a smaller part time basis.

This book was a perfect tool to benchmark my design studio. After 14 years of business I found that Foote's advice, assumptions and calculations were right on the mark ... even for a business in New Zealand. Highly recommended.

This is not for me. It is pretty good for interesting reading, but not made for freelancers like me.

This book is divided into four sections: organization, personnel, marketing, and operations. It also has four appendices. I really liked this book very much. I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor who regularly counsels SCORE clients on starting their own small businesses. I highly recommend the instant book to people similarly situated to my clients since it will help them better grasp and understand what is involved in starting a business.

If you want to put together a business plan (and you should if you want to start a business), then use this book to help you by looking at the following chapters:

1. A Solid Foundation
2. Structure and Facilities
4. Organizing
9. Positioning
10. Promoting
12. Pricing Your Services
15. Financial Issues

After you prepare your business plan and have your business up and running, then you'll be able to:

14. Grow the Business
16. Personal Issues (Cash Out).

I particularly liked the Case Study #6 in Appendix 2 (Failing to Institutionalize the Company). And Appendix 3 (A Designer's Short Course on Marketing) was very well done. Chapter 10 on "Promoting" was very well done given the amount of pages devoted to it.

I was a bit disappointed with the Sample Business Plan Form included in Appendix 4. But the book is not exactly set up to cater to people trying to write a business plan. So I can't be too critical here.

This book is packed full of content regarding the business of graphic design (and small business, in general). It will be well worth your time in reading it if you have any interest in small business. 5 stars!