[...]... discouraging This book sets out to tell the stories of 15 ordinary women who created fun, meaningful, unique and profitable businesses from scratch—no franchises, MLM schemes, or buyouts of existing businesses I benchmark my formula against their success and see how my coaching strategies match what these women experienced in launching and steering their businesses to success I’m retrofitting my model to... begin They end up spinning their wheels or reverting to ineffective patterns that keep them small They shy away from the ideas that pop into their heads, telling themselves they are unrealistic, their ideas are too corny, they just won’t succeed! This I know from my role as a professional coach who works with these women (and men as well) day in and day out Aside from being their cheerleader, confidante,... spirit They have it on behalf of their businesses and they have it within themselves They stand by their businesses as they would by one of their children, much like a mama bear defending her cub From Wiktionary (http:// en.wiktionary.org/wiki /scrappy) : “consisting of scraps; fragmentary; lacking unity or consistency” Many other definitions were variations on these themes To me scrappy means making something... emerged with renewed energy and some great ideas That’s the power of coaching Before I set the stage for this book, I want to provide insight into my excitement about writing it You see, I have ALWAYS been intrigued with how things start—so scrappy startup stories are a perfect way to express that interest I grew up impressed by the story of how my parents met Their meeting and my existence were not only... also came from my interest in finding pioneers who were involved in fun businesses that were also meaningful, unique, and profitable Fun comes into the picture when you see the irony with which these entrepreneurs approach their work Meaningful shows up in relation to engagement with work that makes a difference to clients and customers Unique appears in the specific stamp that each places on the contribution... mindful that we all want to know specifically, How the heck did you pull this off?” How did you handle the circumstances in your life such as the need for health insurance?” How did you manage your doubts and your fears?” “What made you think you could actually succeed?” As I shared my book idea with others, I heard many questions: • What does scrappy mean? • How did you choose the subjects for your book?... bringing nebulous ideas to fruition They love this approach and find it useful for staying focused on their entrepreneurial ideas, but additionally, they need inspiration to fuel their ambitions Artists, when they want to be inspired, go to art museums and look at the masters’ creations Likewise, would-be entrepreneurs need inspiration from women just like themselves—without silver spoons in their mouths—who... CoachLink for reading early chapters and giving me helpful feedback as well as encouragement Fellow CTI certification leader Bonnie Hill was generous also with ideas for interviewees How many of my wonderful clients shared their excitement with me for Scrappy Startups! Thank you one and all for your curiosity, willingness to read excerpts, and faith in my dreams You are an inspiration to me, and I am glad for... our profiled women used, and we’ll hear about what worked and didn’t work I have singled out the women in my book because the businesses they have birthed have made a unique difference to their immediate communities or the world at large I have found these women and their projects unique, meaningful, fun, and profitable, and I hope you will be as delighted to meet them and be mentored by them through the... remember distinctly how when asked about their dreams, a woman with advanced lung cancer raised her hand and declared how much she wanted to have her own Web site—that was her dream Without hesitation, members of the group volunteered to help her Spontaneously, others expressed their dreams as well One woman wanted to write a book; others volunteered to edit it for her Life had returned! It seemed as . alt="" SCRAPPY STARTUPS