Business Entry: Starting vs Buying – Essential Knowledge for Smart Business Decisions

As a former SCORE mentor I would recommend this book to anyone interested in being a business owner. It provides an excellent overview of the options, including the pros and cons of each and the factors to consider in evaluating which best fits your risk tolerance and skill set. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of emotional considerations. Too often people think a business will run on autopilot -- it doesn't. Emotional commitment is as important as financial commitment.

A practical, well-organized guide for aspiring entrepreneurs weighing the pros and cons of starting versus buying a business. The inclusion of detailed case studies, a four-pillar feasibility test (product, market, ability to sell/manage), and comparative insights on franchises, intrapreneurship, and risk tolerance stand out. The action plans and resource-packed appendices make it more than just theory—it’s a hands-on toolkit. A solid read for anyone at the crossroads of entrepreneurship

Charlie Victor's "Business Entry: Starting vs Buying" is a comlete and practical guide for anyone thinking of dipping their toes into entrepreneurship. Asks the Q: start a business from the ground up or buy an existing one? I like that the book doesn't just throw information at you, but walks you through the decision-making process with real advice you can act on - the real-life examples help as well Victor lays out the pros and cons of each path to busienss ownership, covering key factors like the intial investment, those all-too-real risks, and the level of control you'll get. For those wanting to start a business, the book provides detailed guidance on creating viable business plans and setting up operations. You'll learn how to value a business, all about due diligence, and even how to negotiate. Case studies are always good, and the examples come from various industries. One minor negative is that sometimrs (for me at least) the level of detail can feel a bit overwhelming, but I have to say the way the book is layed out eases this a lot. Overall, I recommend this book to any prospective entrepreneur. (A group in which I count myself!)

There's lots of great knowledge in this book and I feel a lot better about my upcoming choices thanks to what the author shared. Well done!

If you are tired of spinning thoughts and indecision about your next business move, this book will help. It is a structured companion for helping decide whether to start on your own, or buy something established. Tons of resources in the back.

The book offers a balanced look at different business entry options, covering both benefits and challenges. Highly recommended for those stepping into entrepreneurship.

I've had a few micro businesses and have always been curious about taking on something a bit more ambitious. I've occasionally considered a franchise, too, but wondered what other unknown factors I should be aware of. I found this book to be a great introductory guide for those, like me, who are considering starting a business or buying one. It is well organized and easy to follow. I appreciated the resources at the end especially, such as the business plan template. Really helpful!