Details

<p>Foreword ix</p> <p><b>Chapter 1 Running a Business Is Like Raising a Child 1</b></p> <p>My Third Child 1</p> <p>Embracing the Parallels 4</p> <p>Business or Parenting? 6</p> <p>Embracing the Edge 11</p> <p>The Personal Side 12</p> <p><b>Chapter 2 Preparing for Entrepreneurship 15</b></p> <p>Introduction 16</p> <p>Deciding to Take the Plunge 16</p> <p>Thinking About the Future 23</p> <p>Keeping It Simple 28</p> <p>Having a Financial Plan 34</p> <p>Redefining Control 38</p> <p>Resources for Writing a Business Plan 42</p> <p>Other Resources for Starting a Business 43</p> <p><b>Chapter 3 Launching 45</b></p> <p>Introduction 47</p> <p>Forgetting the Pain 47</p> <p>Keeping Names in Perspective 50</p> <p>Passion Is Required 53</p> <p>Becoming Bonded 59</p> <p>Sleep Is a Luxury 62</p> <p>Maintaining Perspective 66</p> <p>Additional Resources 69</p> <p><b>Chapter 4 The Early Years 71</b></p> <p>Introduction 72</p> <p>Choosing Laughter over Tears 72</p> <p>Learning “On the Job” 74</p> <p>Wearing Many Hats 77</p> <p>Teaching Your Baby to Feed Herself 79</p> <p>Never Wake a Sleeping Baby 81</p> <p>Spit (up) Happens 85</p> <p>Persuading Creatively 89</p> <p>Waiting for Delayed Gratification 92</p> <p>Surviving the Terrible Twos 97</p> <p>Embracing “No” as Good 100</p> <p>Additional Resources for The Early Years 105</p> <p><b>Chapter 5 Ramping Up: A Time to Learn 107</b></p> <p>Introduction 107</p> <p>Following Through 108</p> <p>Disciplining in Anger 111</p> <p>Refusing to See the Truth 114</p> <p>Earning Respect 117</p> <p>Guarding Your Time 121</p> <p>Knowing Your Kid 125</p> <p>Celebrating the Small Stuff 129</p> <p>Picking Your Battles 132</p> <p>Getting Rid of the “I Can’ts” 135</p> <p>Asking for Support 137</p> <p>Resources for Growing Businesses 144</p> <p><b>Chapter 6 Growing Pains 147</b></p> <p>Introduction 148</p> <p>Allowing for Mistakes 148</p> <p>Combating Entitlement 152</p> <p>Getting Out of the Details 155</p> <p>Creating Consistency 158</p> <p>Encouraging Productive Conflict 162</p> <p>Choosing Your Friends Wisely 168</p> <p>Not Taking It Personally 171</p> <p>Communicating Effectively 173</p> <p>Celebrating Uniqueness 179</p> <p>Additional Resources 184</p> <p><b>Chapter 7 Emerging Independence 187</b></p> <p>Introduction 188</p> <p>Making Your Presence Known 188</p> <p>Flying Alone 196</p> <p>Training Your Replacement 199</p> <p>Setting Boundaries 203</p> <p>Wanting to Be Liked 207</p> <p>Fair Is Not Equal 212</p> <p>The Team Approach 214</p> <p>Resources for Businesses’ Emerging Independence 217</p> <p><b>Chapter 8 Exercising Your Exit 219</b></p> <p>Introduction 221</p> <p>Business Exit—The Sale 221</p> <p>Walking Away 228</p> <p>The Succession Plan 233</p> <p>What Next? 234</p> <p>Recommended Reading 236</p> <p><b>Chapter 9 Having It All—Myth or Reality? 237</b></p> <p>Overcoming Stereotypes 238</p> <p>Show Me the Money! 244</p> <p>Identifying the Glass Balls 245</p> <p>Defining Your Model of Success 249</p> <p>Providing a Role Model 252</p> <p>The “B” Word 257</p> <p>A New Model 261</p> <p><b>Chapter 10 The Edge 265</b></p> <p>Resourcefulness 266</p> <p>Perseverance 267</p> <p>Patience 267</p> <p>Passion 268</p> <p>Vision 269</p> <p>The Bottom Line 270</p> <p>Index 271</p>

<b>Julie Lenzer Kirk</b> 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.JulieLenzerKirk.com.

<p>Praise for The ParentPreneur Edge</p> <p>"Who needs an MBA? Julie's book teaches you how to use your parenting experiences to build a business. Brilliant stuff!"<br /> —Mary Cantando, author, The Woman's Advantage: 20 Women Entrepreneurs Show You What It Takes to Grow Your Business</p> <p>"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."<br /> —Gina Robison-Billups, President, Moms In Business Network and The International Association of Working Mothers</p> <p>"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!"<br /> —Dr. Tom Hill, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul</p> <p>"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."<br /> —Margaret Heffernan, author, The Naked Truth and How She Does It, Visiting Professor in Entrepreneurship, Simmons College School of Management</p> <p>"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!"<br /> —Claudia Morrell, Executive Director, Center for Women and Information Technology</p> <p>"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."<br /> —Rieva Lesonsky, Editorial Director, Entrepreneur magazine</p> <p>"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."<br /> —Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO, Enterprising Women magazine</p>

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