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8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Buy This Book!Aug 19, 2000
By J. A. Billington
"know it all"
This is a wonderful book. Like one of the reviews states, it is mostly philosophizing. However, I think that is a good thing. You can find a million books that tell you the individual steps required to start a business, but how many books tell you how to remain sane when the phone doesn't ring? And, trust me, it will not in the beginning. Think of this book as having your very own guru to go to for inspiration when you're really depressed and questioning yourself for taking the entrepeneurial path.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 THE JOY OF SELF-EMPLOYMENTOct 20, 2000
By Dorothy Weiss
This book is for self-employed people who work from their homes. and for those considering this adventurous step. It is not a how-to book. It provides good information but is more philosopical. For instance, Mr Chan offers four main benefits of self-employment: personal satisfaction, autonomy, deliverance from office politics, and freedom to make your own mistakes instead of being forced to carry out the misjudgments of others. He writes, "I'm a captain of industry myself, though my craft is more like a rowboat than an ocean liner. My empire is small, but I do rule it." He does acknowledge that working for an organization provides many benefits that one should consider before leaving to experience the joys of self-employment. The book offers food for thought and options for the courageous and daring wannabe entrepreneurs.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
A highly useful book on self-employmentJul 12, 2001
By Steve Stroh
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.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Wisdom for the Enterprise, Sustenance for the SpiritDec 06, 2000
By Robert Coppola
"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.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
An Essential Guide for Entrepreneurs and their FriendsMay 03, 2000
By james shulman
While many business publications purport to help independent enterprises, James Chan's unique book goes several steps further by probing the challenges, frustrations, elations and especially motivations behind successful entrepreneurship. It's almost as if Chan had read my mind, telegraphing very specific (and what I had assumed to be unique!) impressions of running an enterprise. Evidently we entrepreneurs may feel isolated, but our experiences are univeral--and have been captured succinctly in this work. Readers who are making the crucial transition from conventional employment to self-employment should consider Spare Room Tycoon their business Baedecker: it will make the journey far more pleasant and successful. Established entrepreneurs will immediately recognize many familiar situations. Finally, I urge you to buy this book and give it to your family--so THEY'LL FINALLY UNDERSTAND what motivates you to be YOU!
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based on 37 reviews
