Page 7 - 6 Secrets to Startup Success

vi Foreword

The difference between them and others who end up in the
“failed” pile of startup statistics is that they cared enough about their
ideas to give them the very best chance to succeed.

Caring means researching. Caring means testing ideas before
committing too many resources. Caring means not brushing off peo-
ple who challenge your idea. Caring means getting the very best ad-
vice from people who have successfully guided companies through
the startup phase and beyond.

In 6 Secrets to Startup Success, John Bradberry, a calm, steady hand
and seasoned mentor, brings an invaluable voice of reason that will
guide you every step of the way without preaching or dampening your
enthusiasm. He celebrates entrepreneurial passion while giving it the
structure it needs to result in business success:

The solution lies not in ratcheting down passion, but in elevating
awareness. By pausing early in your startup process to take an ob-
jective look at yourself and what you bring to the table—your pur-
pose, goals, skills, resources, and needs—you can develop a highly
valuable kind of optimism, one that rests on the rock of clear, hon-
est assessment and willful preparation. I call it earned optimism.

It is such a relief to know that sustained energy to grow your busi-
ness is not based on manufactured enthusiasm or pep talks from mo-
tivational speakers. It is based on executing a well-defined yet flexible
plan in tiny steps, leaning into the market and adjusting your business
model as you go.

If you want to mitigate and reduce risk to your career, your fi-
nances, your relationships, and your health before starting your busi-
ness, read this book.

You will breathe easier.
Most important, you will increase the likelihood that your busi-
ness will be a raging success.

—Pamela Slim, author, Escape from Cubicle Nation: From
Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur

American Management Association • www.amanet.org