Rating: 
Summary: Wisdom for the Enterprise, Sustenance for the Spirit
Review: "Tycoon" is about throwing off the shackles of working for someone else, and finding (or creating) a livelihood of your own, based upon your talents, values and passions. The book has captured the essence of the self-employment experience, with its dreams and aspirations, nightmares and setbacks, and small and major victories. This is a book about making a personal declaration of independence, and all of the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that follow. Chan candidly tells his own story and the stories of others who have chosen the independent path. From these experiences he distills the hard lessons learned, offering useful counsel about the nuts and bolts of starting up and sustaining a successful business; and welcome inspiration for sustaining one's spirit throughout the journey. James Chan's book achieves a wonderful balance between head and heart. "Tycoon" is a thoughtful, helpful and buoyant companion for both the aspiring and the experienced self-employed.
Rating:
Summary: Wisdom for the Enterprise, Sustenance for the Spirit
Review: "Tycoon" is about throwing off the shackles of working for someone else, and finding (or creating) a livelihood of your own, based upon your talents, values and passions. The book has captured the essence of the self-employment experience, with its dreams and aspirations, nightmares and setbacks, and small and major victories. This is a book about making a personal declaration of independence, and all of the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that follow. Chan candidly tells his own story and the stories of others who have chosen the independent path. From these experiences he distills the hard lessons learned, offering useful counsel about the nuts and bolts of starting up and sustaining a successful business; and welcome inspiration for sustaining one's spirit throughout the journey. James Chan's book achieves a wonderful balance between head and heart. "Tycoon" is a thoughtful, helpful and buoyant companion for both the aspiring and the experienced self-employed.
Rating:
Summary: Cardinal
Review: Dr. James Chan's book, SPARE ROOM TYCOON, is different than the usual type of business book. It is motivational in that it tells, and prepares the reader for, the psychological aspects of owning your own business. The efforts and the rewards involved in being an entrepreneur are presented in Dr. Chan's own story and in several stories of other "Spare Room Tycoons". I felt as if the author were in front of me telling me the stories instead of me reading words from a book. I recommend this to those contemplating starting their own business and to those already established on their own.
Rating:
Summary: The new "Gold Standard" resource on professional indepence
Review: During my 2002 summer quest to relax and spend more time with family, I've rediscovered my passion for reading. (Real books. Made of paper. No LCD screen attached. What a novel idea...)Spare Room Tycoon was one of the first books I picked up. Simply put, I just can't say enough great things about this book. While many people praise similar books on the subject of entrepreneurial independence, Spare Room Tycoon is by far a more thoughtful, honest, true-to-yourself account of what it is to be a solo entrepreneur or to run a MicroEnterprise. If you're a Free Agent or have entrepreneurial aspirations of any kind, you *have* to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! A Must Read book for independent entrepreneurs
Review: Excellent book! I could not put it down. I read the whole thing - not because I had the time - but because it was so darn interesting and true that I could not stop reading. Not only is James Chan a great speaker, (I heard him at a breakfast meeting), he is a great writer too. My story is so similar to those of the "tycoons" in this book it's eerie. The 70 lessons are right on target, and I have made copies of them and put them by my desk.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic, Pragmatic and Inspiring!
Review: Having been self employed for about 10 years, I felt that James Chan accurately depicted the highs and lows of self-empoyment - and working from your home. While reading the first few chapters, I felt inspired and validated. There are many books and inspirational speakers who romanticise and glorify "striking it on your own" to pursue the American Dream. Chan balances this notion with pragmatic examples of the challenges one experiences not only in the day to day routine of being self-employed, but also in the life-cycle of an independent professional. The array of examples that Chan cites through his subjects give interesting insight into how other independent professionals in different industries operate. The book can scare away a person who is "dreaming" about being their own boss. Conversely, this book can inspire the person who has commitment and passion to follow their destiny. Chan challenges societal's pressure of thinking that one must be making "meg-bucks" to be considered "successful". Chan raises up those who dare to think differently from the commonly held definitions of "success". Spare Room Tycoon is a refreshing book for the realist who needs just a gentle push to blaze their own trail towards personal fulfillment through entrepreneurship.
Rating:
Summary: The "Four Seasons of Entrepreneurship" ... in a nutshell !
Review: I think Mr. Chan has hit the nail on the head with this book.
I am a coporate executive who has been thinking about going independent for some time. Without exaggerating, I think this book really pushed me over the edge in terms of my decision to start my own business.
Mr. Chan is an absolute realist. He takes one through what I call the "four seasons of entrepreneurship" (fear, hope, confidence, uncertainty) with great skill. He openly shares his wisdom and concrete examples from 20 years of his own experience as an entrepreneur. He will take away all your illusions but gives you great reason to be hopeful as well. I would summarize by saying that this book gave me two things: inspiration and confidence to know that I can succeed. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to start a business.
Tim Ryan
Lucerne, Switzerland
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for the Beginning Entrepreneur
Review: If one is considering self-employment, this is a must read. Dr. Chan provides many insights into whether a person has what it takes to become an entrepreneur. He provides many real life stories from everyday people who took the step and the challenges they faced along the way.
As a successful sales representative for 25 years, Dr. Chan's book compelled me to evaluate my life, and if I would be willing to leave a stable corporate environment to step into uncharted waters. For example in my position, I get to socially interact with many people. He discusses the isolation one can feel when the phone does not ring. Would I be prepared for that?
Because of Dr. Chan's direct nonsense approach it was a very eye opening experience for me, and to reiterate, I would highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of doing it their own.
Rating:
Summary: A highly useful book on self-employment
Review: It should be mentioned up front that although the title leads you to believe that it's a book about working from your home, it's far more about being a "Tycoon" (a master of your own fate) than it is about working from a "Spare Room". When I transitioned my career from freelance writer to publishing a newsletter, I prepared myself by reading a number of books that I considered appropriate to the subject. Spare Room Tycoon was the best of them. James Chan tackles some of the thorniest issues of self-employment, including self-confidence and realistic pricing of your services. I found the section on how to price your services extremely valuable. The entire book is full of insights like this. James Chan's tone throughout the book is of having met an interesting new acquaintance and choosing the spend the weekend together getting to know one another. After reading the book, you'll have a much more realistic view of how well you're likely to do as a "Spare Room Tycoon". I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A highly useful book on self-employment
Review: It should be mentioned up front that although the title leads you to believe that it's a book about working from your home, it's far more about being a "Tycoon" (a master of your own fate) than it is about working from a "Spare Room". When I transitioned my career from freelance writer to publishing a newsletter, I prepared myself by reading a number of books that I considered appropriate to the subject. Spare Room Tycoon was the best of them. James Chan tackles some of the thorniest issues of self-employment, including self-confidence and realistic pricing of your services. I found the section on how to price your services extremely valuable. The entire book is full of insights like this. James Chan's tone throughout the book is of having met an interesting new acquaintance and choosing the spend the weekend together getting to know one another. After reading the book, you'll have a much more realistic view of how well you're likely to do as a "Spare Room Tycoon". I highly recommend this book.
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