JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Aundrea Y. Wilcox, author of Startup Savvy: Strategies for Optimizing Small Business Survival and Success
(PublishAmerica)

STARTUP SAVVY is jam-packed with relatable real-world entrepreneurial stories from seven actual small businesses combined with solid advice from professional small business advisor, Aundrea Y. Wilcox, MBA.

Those who read STARTUP SAVVY are assured they will be able to: steer clear of common pitfalls and mistakes; learn from real entrepreneurs about some behind the scenes aspects of starting and running a small business; save themselves considerable pain, money and precious time; and outperform and outlast their competition.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Startup Savvy: Strategies for Optimizing Small Business Survival and Success?

Aundrea Y. Wilcox: Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to work with many business owners and entrepreneurs over the years, and tackle myriad problems and “situations.” I’ve witnessed many mistakes and missteps, as well as triumphs.

As a small business advisor, I consider it my duty to forewarn others about scams, infeasible concepts, poorly contrived measurements, broken and incomplete processes, etc. If I see them heading down the wrong road, I try to steer them back in the right direction. If they are lacking confidence for no good reason, I try to restore it.

Ultimately, it’s up to the business owner whether they want to listen or take my advice. I just put “it” out there for them. Honestly, I don’t want to see anyone get hurt unnecessarily.

JP: What sets Startup Savvy: Strategies for Optimizing Small Business Survival and Success apart from other books in the same genre?

AYW: Unlike typical business leadership and self-help books, STARTUP SAVVY is complete with relatable real-world entrepreneurial stories combined with solid advice from an everyday practitioner of small business who encourages readers to seek help from a variety of qualified professionals and ultimately be willing to pay for particular support, rather than try to do everything themselves. The book highlights lessons learned and best practices from seven actual small businesses.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Startup Savvy: Strategies for Optimizing Small Business Survival and Success getting out to the public?

AYW: Frankly, most people stop pursuing their dream too soon, either because they are too thin-skinned, or they don’t have the guts to take the elevator all the way to the top. Abruptly, they wake up from their dream of success embittered and empty-handed.

During the process of writing my book, I challenged myself to maintain an open mind and commit to following a tried and true process. I sought help from a variety of experts and listened to good advice and acted on it with diligence and effort.

I didn’t expect anyone else to do my research and hard work for me. I learned to dream more while I’m awake—doing whatever it takes to make my vision a reality. The key to my success was EXECUTION.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Startup Savvy: Strategies for Optimizing Small Business Survival and Success?

AYW: I did not write this book on a whim. Actually, I came up with the concept for my book more than 12 years ago. I knew then that I was going to write a book to help entrepreneurs and small business owners. I watched my parents struggle owning and operating their own startups while growing up.

I’ve spent the last five years intensely working directly with startups and established business owners to solve their real problems. I realized that I had all the necessary parts about a year ago. I outlined the chapters of my book, which ended up being the most requested areas for technical assistance.

Acting on the advice of a good friend and published writer, I pounded out a chapter a week to finally get the project done. Of course there were weeks when I didn’t accomplish my task, but I kept writing and working towards my goal of finishing. Periodically, I reported my progress to my friend. This made me accountable to someone other than myself.

JP: What’s next for Aundrea Y. Wilcox?

AYW: I am working on my second book SIMPLE GROWTH STRATEGIES FOR SOPHISTICATED BUSINESSES, which will be available in 2012. This book will be for small businesses that have already made it past the five-year mark and are pursuing $1M in sales.

http://www.startupsavvy.biz
http://www.aundreaywilcox.com

http://www.facebook.com/StartupSavvy

http://www.twitter.com/startupsavvy

http://www.linkedin.com/in/aundreaywilcox

awilcox@intrepidbizstrategies.com

In the last chapter of my book, I have developed a series of tactics that I call my 40-Day Survive to Five Campaign that will re-energize and breathe new life into businesses, regardless of the business type or place in the small business life cycle. The 40-Day Survive to Five Campaign was designed specifically to increase small business survival rates.

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