WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BE YOUR OWN BOSS
TESTIMONIALS
This book isn’t built on theory. It’s built on experience. And the response reflects that.
From business leaders to first-time readers, the feedback has been consistent. Clear. Practical. Honest.
“I loved Bill’s Fastway story. It’s very comprehensive but I enjoyed it so much that I wanted more. Not everyone who reads Bill McGowan’s book ‘Be Your Own Boss,’ will build a business as large and prominent as the franchised courier business that the author developed internationally, however, every person who aspires to be their own boss will benefit greatly from the business wisdom that Bill shares — wisdom which is practical and accessible and which has been forged from his own hands-on experience in identifying a business opportunity and developing, managing and growing it.”
PROFESSOR ANDREW TERRY
LLB Hons (Cant. NZ); LLM Hons (Cant. NZ)
Professor of Business Regulation, The University of Sydney Business School
“Bill McGowan gave me the manuscript to read prior to the book being published and I can confidently state that ‘Be Your Own Boss’ is a most intriguing, absorbing, and informative read, very well-written and well-researched throughout. It is immersive and comprehensive with the ability to fascinate even the less experienced reader on starting a new business. The sustained analysis and the variety of topics discussed relating to being your own boss and business strategy make the work compelling and it shows the author’s deep knowledge and understanding. This book is also very well organized into sections, allowing for a cohesive read. The personable writing style throughout makes this work accessible to a wide audience and it will fascinate those with interests in starting or buying a business, or in business-related endeavours more widely. ‘Be Your Own Boss’ will succeed within its market.”
JAMES BLAKEMAN
“Thank you for sharing your story on your business journey and the wealth of knowledge gained in 50 years of business. ‘Be Your Own Boss’ is a must-read for anyone who is looking to venture out in starting their own business. The author provides practical advice and tips on how to start and grow a successful business. What sets this book apart from other business books are the author’s focus on entrepreneurship as a mindset, taking risk and being open to new opportunities.
The book provides a step-to-step guide on how to start a business, from identifying what type of business is right for you to completing comprehensive research on the business you are interested in, the type of business models that are most suited to you along with how to write an effective business plan and much more.
The author’s writing style is engaging throughout the book and I found myself motivated and inspired to take action after reading each chapter. Overall, I highly recommend ‘Be Your Own Boss’ to anyone who wants to start a business or take an existing business to the next level. This book provides practical advice, real-world examples, and an entrepreneurial mindset that is essential for success in today’s business world.”
DAVID TRAN
Operations Manager, National Facilities Management, Sydney, Australia
“Bill McGowan is a retired businessman who has mentored and is still mentoring newbies in business; he has been in the business world for over fifty years with a lot of experience. He is peculiarly fond of the franchise business. He has won many awards over the years and has earned his place in the business world. He has travelled the world while expanding his business.
In the book Be Your Own Boss, he leads us through his business story. He endears us to him with details of his struggles as a young business owner, and he doesn’t stop there. He lets us know his struggles before the business started and the risks he took. Also, he lets us know how draining expanding a business can be when it comes to management in connection with the different cultures of people. He doesn’t lie or make running a business easy. He tells us of the work we have to put in to enjoy financial safety and freedom. Bill encourages us and takes us through a step-by-step procedure to make this journey easier.”
BREM ELLINGHAM
“Be Your Own Boss Author Bill McGowan. The author of this book sold me his story as early as 1989, and I hung on every word then, to better my life and be my own Boss. Well I can safely say that Bill’s book published this year was, ‘wow’ what a great read, and the facts have refined themselves greatly over the years, and are undeniably factual and true if one wants to embark on his/her own business and have a better than average chance of succeeding. The book is also a great personal story of how Bill’s determination to succeed won the day regardless of how much sleep he had or not, or what day of the week it was, to build a major force in the Franchising World.
The book sets out clear objectives for motivated individuals, with the desire to better themselves, so Bill’s advice in this book to work hard and follow your goals gives us all a clear message that ‘aggression plus goal setting = motivation’.”
KEVIN HOARE
Queensland
“Be Your Own Boss by Bill McGowan delivers advice to anyone who wants to start a business. It is a guide to help. The author shares how he started the business and also writes about his family. He has more than 50 years of experience. The writer presents his entire business journey. He tells about the difficult beginnings, the struggle, and the risks. It shows that the business world is not easy at all and encourages you to achieve your goals step by step.
The book contains a lot of useful information. Bill shares a lot of details about his life, which makes the read more personal. The writer’s knowledge and life experience help the reader. He covers several topics, such as marketing and organization. What I really liked about the book were the illustrations; they made reading more interesting for me. The caricatures were entertaining.
The structure of the entire book is demanding. As I read the lines, I felt that the writer takes his message seriously and that passing on knowledge is important to him. The book is a quick read with collected information. It provides practical advice, such as how to write an effective business plan. What makes it stand out from other books is the author’s personality and his focus on mindset and open-mindedness.
While reading, I learned not only about economics and accounting but also about myself. It is a positive experience for me, which helps me grow and get to know my personality better. Bill did almost everything to get his point across. He also showed the difficulties, so it was realistic; he didn’t want to present false hopes. How’s ‘Your Personal Wheel of Fortune?’ was my favourite part.
I learned from the questionnaire what kind of place I would have in the business world. What detracted from my enjoyment of reading were the spelling mistakes. So, my rating is 4 out of 5. Despite the grammatical errors, it is a well-constructed book with a valuable message. I was motivated after reading the chapters. I recommend the book to people who would like to know themselves better and are interested in the world of business.
If you want financial independence, to learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and to organize your thoughts, this book is definitely for you. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to start a business from scratch. The book gives practical tips to those who want to be their own boss.”
NOEMI TOTH
OnlineBookClub.org
“I have enormous respect for Bill McGowan and what he has achieved in business. This book is packed with practical tips and checklists, delivered in Bill’s straight-shooting style. I particularly liked the first chapter where Bill shares his real-life journey in establishing from scratch one of the world’s leading courier franchises. And I loved the last chapter titled ‘Your Personal Wheel of Fortune’ which provides an invaluable personal assessment for anyone in business. Thank you Bill McGowan for sharing your practical business experience in such a comprehensive manner.”
GREG NATHAN
Founder, Franchise Relationships Institute
“Be Your Own Boss is a comprehensive and practical outline and guide for anyone setting up and/or buying a new business. It is an excellent tool for any wannabe purchaser or setter-upper of a business. This book is very well done.”
JIM MCCRACKEN
Melbourne, Victoria
“I really enjoyed reading ‘Be Your Own Boss,’ it was very personal, engaging, and informative. This is the sort of content that is sadly missing these days in franchising.”
STEPHEN GILES
Franchise Lawyer & Senior Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright, Australia