Please welcome Elizabeth Gordon, author of “The Chic Entrepreneur – Put Your Business in Higher Heels” with Leanna Adams, on the last day of her virtual book tour.

Here’s a couple of the stops she made on her way throughout the blogosphere: a guest post and detailed interview.

Life has been beyond hectic these days–with my biggest and newest full-time project: Salma K Farid Academy (our new site was launched this week, of course we’re utilizing internet branding with a blog!). Here’s my humble welcome letter as I feel destined for this wonderful new role…

Anyways, as I agreed to be Elizabeth’s last stop…I actually had to fit in reviewing the book myself (something I haven’t done in months!)

How timely it is!

hile I’ve been starting up home-businesses for over a decade (ie, foreclosures/short sales real estate business, freelance writing, becoming an author, etc.)–Heading Salma K Farid Academy is my biggest endeavor yet.

And, I’m it my dear: The Head Administrator–spearheading a grand opening for September with a building presently getting being constructed, hiring an entire teaching staff, and reviewing applications for an entire student body–and that’s just my main duties

As you can imagine, I’m doing thAngs-differently–with my Empowered-womanly-flare!

And, with much more risk involved than any start-up I ventured into before…God willing, the rewards will be well-worth the investment…so, I’m in great need of some advise!

Fortunately, our owners are multi-million-dollar-producing businessmen; so while I’m surrounded with great company–I will always be Me…and I’d love to say “Chic!”

So, here I am with only 2 owners dedicated to our simple mission, and our simple yet altruistic goals...They’re basically supporting me as I make some of my Biggest Dreams come true–while they honor their beloved mother, may God have mercy on her.

So, HOW am I going to forge forward, you may ask?

First and foremost, in pure faith and God will continue to shower me with health and strength if I humbly put Him and Only Him at the forefront in all that I do. Ameen.

Second, Elizabeth’s guidebook to being a Chic Entrepreneur by my side–as I network like crazy of course.

No lie–girl!

Elizabeth writes with spunk, authority, humor, and gives detailed tips, outlines and breaks things up one-to-one on an entrepreneur’s level; but reminds you of the big-picture of becoming big-corporation (only if that’s within your goals, she inspires you to reach that goal…but, if you want to remain on a smaller-scale that’s totally cool too).

Being the fashion-chick that I am–yes, I LOVE clothes–Elizabeth kept me chugging along with many Ah-Hah moments and smirks of delight.

She reminded me to stick to processes and systems–but most importantly, to document them.

People thought  I was crazy when I hired an intern during her 3rd-trimester only to loose her when everyone thought I needed her most.

Well, I really DO need her today…but we were well-prepared.Based on her critical experience with other private academies, we spent her last day handwriting out as many Process Maps (p. 134-136) as possible.

Now, I’m getting my FAIR share of criticism for my hiring processes too.

But with Chapter Four’s “The DMV or Google: Attracting and Retaining the Best Employees“–I know in my faith and heart (and thankfully–Elizabeth’s proven business-advice) that soon (possibly not until the end of our 1st year), people will be able to appreciate ALL the time I spent being absolutely nit-picky about the very staff I am hiring.

Because I believe wholeheartedly in our mission & vision, I am doing Everything in my power to have all our staff embrace our grand-goals, and will implement as many if not all the tips Elizabeth offers to retaining them for the long-run too.

Elizabeth had has me racking my brain with Chapter Nine. Everything Financial. #s, $-signs…urgh ;-(

Everything I’ve leaned heavily on hubby to do, upto now!

But, with our numbers SO much greater and Hubby and the girls overseas vacationing (yay, that’s another story)–planning, assessing and projecting our financial status is critical. And, I HAVE to understand everything myself: upfront & personal :-/

Fortunately, Elizabeth breaks things down step-by-step.

Listed above are only a few examples how comprehensive this book is.

To close, I must share that I have marked up this book Something-Silly!

There are folds on the top-corners, bottom-corners, multiple-colors highlighting phrases and sections so “important things” can Pop out the pages–but its nearly impossible to leave any section un-marked.

So, my advise–big or small (start-up or mid-career): Read & Embrace this book! It’s practical and the analogies are just well–Chic!

As for EWN–we’re making many changes, trying different writers and projects; and I’m basically leaving things it to my partner and assistants to lead its way. I’ve obviously removed myself; not out of choice, but by the demand of the limited hours of my day.

Please know that I am forever grateful for your loving support and know that whatever we do here–it’ll be Empowering to All Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners: just like Elizabeth Gordon and Leanna Adams!

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Posted on August 10th, 2008 by Ponn Sabra
Filed under: Business Mgmt, Entrepreneurialism