A lot of business books hold your hand, make you feel good, and are set to convince you that your passion and "unique" business idea are enough to plow through your competition, garner new leads, and make millions just because you can write a business plan that says so. This is not that kind of book.
A twenty-something hustler, rainmaker, and bootstrapper who has survived and thrived despite never having held the proverbial "real" job, Scott Gerber is the ultimate "Generation Y-er." He's a self-taught serial entrepreneur who built several successful businesses without storied business connections, a business school background, executive training—or investment dollars. And in Never Get a "Real" Job, he shows you how he succeeded so you can overcome today's chronic conditions of mass unemployment, underemployment, and dead-end 9-to-5s.
Gerber gives you the no-bull reality on turning your business idea into a viable enterprise capable ofgenerating real income now—based on his hard-knocks lessons learned in the entrepreneurial trenches. From the perils of doing too much too fast, to bogging down a promising start-up with infrastructure long before it's needed, Gerber has experienced firsthand how you can sabotage your own business. Never Get a "Real" Job will help you avoid the costly mistakes that can take down your enterprise at any time, helping you to get off the ground, establish your business, and keep it successfully up and running.
But Gerber isn't just giving you a collection of war stories. He gives you insights from a fellow young entrepreneur on how to start from absolutely nothing—building a viable business model from the ground up. Along with straight-shooting advice on creating contacts and cultivating clients, he offers practical, affordable, step-by-step instructions on how to constantly analyze, refine, and target your business offerings—while minimizing wasted time and keeping you on track.
With vast resources like online tools, Web sites, checklists, and hard coaching, as well as thousands of dollars worth of connections to free and discounted small business services, Never Get a "Real" Job takes you off the unrewarding resume and cover letter cycle, while putting you on the road toward becoming a self-sufficient business owner, and creating a life that gives you a real shot at the success you deserve.
Praise for Never Get A "Real" Job
"Practical. Irreverent. Insightful. If you read just one book this year aboutbecoming an entrepreneur, make sure it's Never Get a 'Real' Job."—Anita Campbell, founder, Smallbiztrends.com
"With the economic spiral of 2009, our world of work was blown up, and with it,traditional frameworks for career success. Thank god we have Scott Gerber, a member of the next generation, telling the truth about what it takes to succeed in the coming decades. Gen Y, and parents of Gen Y, you will put your livelihoods at risk if you don't read this book. Buy it."—Pamela Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur
"Economic turmoil has made it more difficult than ever for Gen Y to have abreakout entrepreneurial success story. However, thanks to Scott Gerber, there's hope.He breaks it down, tells it like it is, and kicks you in the pants with his no-nonsenseguide to getting started and achieving real success—now."—Jeff Sloan, cofounder, StartupNation.com
"Scott is the Simon Cowell of young entrepreneurship."—Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
"Wow! If all Gen Y-ers were like Scott, we'd never have to worry about our kids moving back into the basement after college. As filled with no-nonsense, practical, yet unpredictable advice as it is serious attitude, Never Get a 'Real' Job is a must-read for all aspiring entrepreneurs. No coddling here—just the straight-up truth from a very savvy guy who's been there and done that."
—Donna Fenn, author of Upstarts!: How GenY Entrepreneurs Are Rocking the World of Business and 8 Ways You Can Profit from Their Success
"Scott doesn't give the sugar-coated advice that wannabe entrepreneurs like to hear.He gives the blunt guidance that real entrepreneurs can actually put to use."—Andrew Warner, founder, Mixergy
"Never Get a 'Real' Job will help any reader—even those withoutstart-up finances or previous entrepreneurial experience—quit their quest for9-to-5s and become self-sufficient small business owners."—Steve Mariotti, founder, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
"Never Get a 'Real' Job is a straightforward, funny, and insightful book foryoung entrepreneurs looking to make a name for themselves."—Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0, and Managing Partner of Millennial Branding, LLC
About the Author
Scott Gerber is the founder and CEO of Gerber Enterprises, an entrepreneurial incubator that invests capital, management expertise, and marketing services into early and mid-stage companies. A serial entrepreneur, angel investor, media personality, and in-demand speaker, he is also an internationally syndicated small business writer andEntrepreneur columnist. He lives in Hoboken, NJ, and can be reached at scott@askgerber.com or followed on Twitter at @askgerber. For more information about Scott and Never Get a "Real" Job, visit NeverGetARealJob.com.
