Entrepreneurship in Action

Welcome to the second edition ofEntrepreneurship in Action!Entrepreneurship continues to be a significant part of our economic health and vitality in the United States. And in this book, I've tried to bring to you the excitement and challenges of what it's like to be an entrepreneur in today's world. I believe my book is unlike any other entrepreneurship textbook available. Why? Because it emphasizes, explains, and celebrates the realities of being an entrepreneur--it shows entrepreneurship in action. I first wrote this book because I felt ;here was a definite need for a book that conveyed the exciting realities of entrepreneurship; now after finishing the second edition, I still believe that! Entrepreneurship is such a fascinating topic-why not have a book that brings that excitement to students studying entrepreneurship? How does the second edition ofEntrepreneurship in Actiondo this? Through many of the unique features introduced in the first edition which have been retained and enhanced. These features include the following: Chapter-Opening Entrepreneurship in Action CaseEvery chapter opens with a description of a real entrepreneur in action, facing the challenges that entrepreneurs must deal with, and making good and even some not-so-good decisions. The entrepreneurs profiled are Daymond John of FUBU (Chapter 1), Gary Hirshberg of O'Naturals (Chapter 2), Sara Blakely of Spanx (Chapter 3), Lisa Joronen of SOL Cleaning Service (Chapter 4), Karen Drakenberg of StrawberryFrog (Chapter 5), Nicholas Graham of Joe Boxer Company (Chapter 6), Joe Montgomery of Cannondale Corporation (Chapter 7), Glen Kelman of Plumtree Software (Chapter 8), and Corinna Lathan of AnthroTronix (Chapter 9). Each case ties in to the chapter material and is referenced at various points throughout the chapter. These fun stories relate the excitement of the entrepreneurial adventure. It certainly is an adventure that you're embarking on! Entrepreneurship in ActionThis chapter box provides examples of entrepreneurs from different types and sizes of entrepreneurial ventures. You'll discover what's involved with being an entrepreneur, and you'll read about different entrepreneurial approaches and philosophies. Again, it's another way to see entrepreneurship in action. Rapid ReviewIn multiple places throughout each chapter, you'll find a box that lists review questions addressing the material that you've just read. These questions will help you review and assess whether you understand the material. I've also used this innovation in my other textbooks (Managementwith Stephen P Robbins andStrategic Management in Action), and I believe that you'll find it to be a convenient and useful way to review and reinforce key chapter information. FYI (For Your Information)This chapter box provides information about a particularly interesting entrepreneurial topic or idea. Each chapter has a number of FYI Boxes. Some of the topics covered in the FYIs include male versus female entrepreneurs, gazelles, combating sexual harassment, building customer loyalty, budgeting basics, values-based management, developing your creativity, and the ABCs of trademarks and patents. I think you'll find the information included in these FYI Boxes to be timely and useful in your entrepreneurial journey. The Grey ZoneAs I sit writing this preface in the summer of 2002, the collapse of Enron and WorldCom and other well-publicized business scandals are reinforcing the importance of ethical decision making in business. Entrepreneurs do (and will) face ethical and social responsibility challenges as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. This chapter box describes some of these issues. You won't just read about these issues, you're asked to think critically about what you would do in this situation. As you'll find out, there are no easy answers whCoulter, Mary K. is the author of 'Entrepreneurship in Action', published 2002 under ISBN 9780131011014 and ISBN 0131011014.