Foreword

       by Scott Cook Founder, Intuit Corporation

      So you’re thinking about starting your own business. Congratulations! You’re about to embark on one of the most exhilarating, challenging, educational, frustrating, rewarding journeys you’ll ever take.

      My personal journey started well before I founded Intuit. I recognized an innate entrepreneurial “bug” as far back as my junior year in college, when I became the president of the ski club at USC and managed to turn an almost defunct club into the largest ski club in the state.

      After earning an MBA at Harvard and then working for Procter & Gamble, I moved to California, where I became a consultant. For me, there was something about being in California that turned a persistent yearning to start a business of my own into a mission. I explored the viability of an import car rental business. I experimented with a windsurfing vacation adventure business. But I kept thinking about ways to combine my education, life experience and passions into a profitable business.

      My wife, Signe, and I often talked about how the power of computers could benefit many people, not just the few people in white lab coats that ran them back in the early 1980s.

      It was late 1982 when the proverbial light bulb went off. Signe was complaining about the boring task of bill paying. Hmmmm. Interesting thought. Everyone has to pay bills and computers are pretty good at doing repetitive financial work. “Aha!” I could take what I learned working at Procter & Gamble and combine that with my enthusiasm for the potential of computers to create a product that would make people’s financial lives fast and easy. Signe’s complaint became the genesis of a product that would be named Quicken . . . that in turn lead to the business software named QuickBooks.

      That was 20 years ago.

      Today you’re thinking about starting your own business and, much to your good fortune, Rhonda Abrams has compressed the experience of hundreds of small business founders into this book. All to help you assess business ideas and think through the process of deciding what kind of business is right for you. I wish this kind of guide was available when I started!

      I’ve known Rhonda for a few years, and my first meeting with her was an “Aha!” moment in its own right. She is the rare jewel who combines both passion for and deep knowledge of the world of small business. While she can quote all the statistical data with conviction and ease, it’s her passion and rare insight that makes her stand out among small business experts.

      One of my colleagues here at Intuit shared a story with me that I think sums it up. Rhonda had come into the office for a meeting and was in the lobby waiting to be escorted to the conference room where the meeting would be held. When my colleague arrived in the lobby, Rhonda was in an animated conversation with the receptionist and didn’t even notice that her escort had arrived. It turned out that the receptionist’s daughter was about to open a new retail business and, recognizing Rhonda’s name, took advantage of the opportunity to ask a few questions. Ten minutes later, Rhonda wished her well and proceeded to her meeting, completely energized by the conversation.

      It’s this heartfelt desire to help people achieve their goals, combined with a wealth of experience (she is, after all, a small business owner herself) and understanding, that makes Rhonda Abrams one of the best small business advisors you’ll find.

      In this book, Rhonda guides you through a process that will help you determine what is the best type of business for you. She’ll help you answer the question, “What kind of entrepreneur are you?” She’ll share with you how and where other successful entrepreneurs get their ideas and give you examples of businesses you can start right now. She’ll also give you some valuable statistical data and source information, as well as provide tips for getting started on the road to success.

      Whatever path you choose—whether your business idea comes from a hobby, research, work experience or an “Aha!” moment—I wish you the best of luck. May your journey be as rich and rewarding as mine has been.