Book Review
Sonya Barlow, award-winning entrepreneur and author of Unprepared to Entrepreneur: A Method to the Madness of Starting Your Own Business, believes times have changed. Today you can launch a successful enterprise with your phone, sell through social media and tap into a whole world of opportunities. In her new book, Sonya takes a look at the resilience needed to make it in business, the incredible tax on mental health and the non-negotiable steps to creating a viable business. This is the ultimate guide to side hustling, freelancing and entrepreneurial freedom of the future.
Unprepared to Entrepreneur by Sonya Barlow is an honest guide to launching your own business, sharing real stories from real people who have tested, failed and won at business. It profiles the underdogs, those who brainstormed ideas whilst travelling on the bus, started a business from their phone and managed to create three income streams whilst maintaining a full-time job in the city to show you that you can do it too. From a working Google doc as your business plan, to ideation strategies that live and die off Instagram engagement; they won't teach you this at business school.
Author Quotes
Anyone could launch the next greatest start-up, but it’s normally the fear that prevents us from putting ourselves out there.
Small wins will give you the confidence to try something bigger.
Not all passion projects need to become a multi-million pound business.
About the author
Sonya Barlow is an award winning entrepreneur, founder of the @LMFnetwork, author diversity business coach, radio host and Linkedin Changemaker. Her efforts are focused on bridging the skills gap and creating inclusive cultures. She has delivered two TEDx Talks and is acknowledged as an international keynote speaker. Sonya has had her articles published in Metro newspaper, Sifted EU and The Telegraph. Her businesses have partnered with global companies such as Babbel, Steady, Institute of Coding, GoCo Group, Barclays, Financial Times and BMW. In 2020, she was named as one of the Most Influential Women in Tech (Computerweekly), Winner of the Women in Software Changemakers (Makers and Google), Top 50 BAME Entrepreneurs (TechRound), Future Shaper 2020 (Marie Claire) and Forbes 30 Under 30 Shortlist runner up 2021. In 2021, Sonya became a published author sharing her debut handbook on entrepreneurship, business & becoming your own boss titled: Unprepared to Entrepreneur, was announced as the host of BBC Asian Network’s The Everyday Hustle and the Linkedin Changemaker for 2021.
Why LoA loves it…
Taking the decision to become an entrepreneur in the first place takes guts, but it also takes the knowledge to accept that every entrepreneur is different. Some will fail, others will build a business that takes care of themselves and their families, others will go on to build large businesses that employ others and possibly even change the world. Everyone starts out as an entrepreneur in the same way, with an idea, with passion, and with the determination to try and make a success of their business. In her new book, Unprepared to Entrepreneur, Sonya Barlow tells it like it is, and brings a wealth of insight and practical guidance to taking those first steps to building a business. Whether you a newbie to the world of entrepreneurship, or you are looking to take your side hustle to the next level, this is a great read to help you get there. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa