Self-Made Boss by Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg Summary
Overview of Self-Made Boss
"Self-Made Boss" is your entrepreneurial roadmap from Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg. This "highly addictive" guide has become a silent revolution among women business owners, offering practical wisdom on everything from securing funding to scaling your vision. What's your excuse for not being your own boss?
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Key takeaways
From Dream to Reality: The Entrepreneurial Journey
Starting a business begins with a compelling "why." Bobby Crocker launched his personal training business after a career-ending baseball injury, driven by a desire for independence. Aylon Pesso joined his father's ice cream shop to continue a family legacy. Peter Stein transformed his lifelong oyster passion into Peeko Oysters after being laid off. Life transitions often spark entrepreneurial journeys - like when Jen Pratt started Fresh Sunshine Flowers after her employer closed, leveraging skills learned from her florist mother. Some entrepreneurs are motivated by community needs, like Erin Caudell and Franklin Pleasant who founded The Local Grocer in Flint, Michigan after the water crisis. Others build businesses to fill gaps they personally experience - photographer Lucia Rollow created Bushwick Community Darkroom when she couldn't afford darkroom access post-graduation, starting with a $75 monthly storage space that quickly grew to serve 500 photographers monthly. With only half of small businesses surviving their first five years, a solid business plan dramatically improves your chances of success. Even if you're not seeking funding, the research and thinking required to create a plan is invaluable - it forces you to systematically think through your venture's viability before committing resources. Start with a compelling executive summary that concisely captures why your business will succeed. Before committing to a solution, thoroughly understand the problem you're solving. As Yvonne Cariveau advises, "Define your problem very, very specifically. Observe. Ask open-ended questions. Many entrepreneurs fall in love with their solutions before they really understand the problem."
Building Your Legal and Financial Foundation
The Engine Room: Operations That Drive Success
Beyond Transactions: Building Your Brand
Navigating Obstacles: The Art of the Pivot
From Vision to Legacy: Building for the Future
Resources and Support Networks
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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