Quick Book Review: The Big Enough Company

Quick Book Review is a column I will periodically put out detailing the books I'm reading. Most of these will be guides on entrepreneurship or business ownership, but not all. Anyway, this is what I finished reading a few weeks ago:

The Big Enough Company by Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams

Summary:
The authors started their own successful company by putting together a shared workspace in Manhattan complete with informational and networking resources specifically for female entrepreneurs. This is their advice guide from their own experiences and the experiences of some of their clients and friends. It includes question sections titled For Your Consideration that ask questions for the reader to consider when opening her own business.

Review:
This book reads like a text book for starting your own business. It is written in a very accessible and simplified style with tons of been-there-done-that knowledge. Personally, this book inspired me to quit my corporate job. I realized through the "For Your Consideration" sections scattered throughout the book that I don't have the energy to be able to have a full-time job and get my own projects off to a start in the way I'd want to run them. Years ago, I attended a meet-and-greet at their shared workspace (In Good Company is the name of it), and I remember being so impressed by their vision and their support for entrepreneurs. The most inspirational aspect of this book was the message that you must define your own goals for success. It is definitely an alternative perspective to our cultural imperative that more equals success always. For example, if I take less vacation and spend less time at home with my loved ones because of starting my own business, then no matter the profits gained, I will have failed. This book is an extremely practical guide to reference throughout the lifespan of anyone's entrepreneurial venture.


To Whom I Recommend:
I recommend this book highly to anyone (especially women, but men could learn from this as well) who has always had an urge towards entrepreneurship and never understood where to begin. Also, anyone who is lacking inspiration in their work would benefit from reading this book to understand that there are other options besides a 9-to-5 desk job.