Not a "Dummies" guide on the practical steps of starting a business, Everyday Entrepreneur focuses on the real problems, decisions, and personal qualities of budding entrepreneurs, in the form of an easy-to-read and interesting story.

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"The most important skill in the 21st century will be the ability to create your own job."
In Everyday Entrepreneur, you will meet three individuals who all have entrepreneurial aspirations. The first is Tim, whose career is stagnating, despite having a good job. Tim has developed some software that could form the basis of his own business, but he can’t make the decision whether or not to set up on his own. Terry, a childhood friend, steers Tim into a class on entrepreneurship conducted by a mysterious person named Sam. The class includes two others: Grace, in her mid-thirties, and Mike, who is twenty-something. Sam invites his three students to learn to become entrepreneurs over a period of twelve days. By focusing on the qualities of a successful entrepreneur and by relying on a wide range of anecdotes, he cleverly leads all three to make important decisions about their future.
Fred Dawkins’ practical insights and advice can help you identify your own strengths and empower you to take the leap to an entrepreneur – and make your dream a reality.
Watch for Ageless Entrepreneur, arriving May 2015.

 

Fred Dawkins is a successful entrepreneur having owned and operated businesses in manufacturing, retail, land development, small business consulting and import/export. His most recognizable business role came as co-founder of The Olde Hide House, Canada’s largest leather store, well known for the slogan "it’s worth the drive to Acton". He holds a Bachelor's degree in commerce and finance, for which he won the W.E. Rundle gold medal and a Master’s degree in economics. He lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Fred Dawkins' profile page

The book contains lots of good advice based on Dawkins’ 40 years in manufacturing, retail and real estate.

Financial Post

An entertaining, even heartwarming, book of thoughtful observations and dos and don'ts for starting a business, framed by a storyline with twists and turns one might find in a novel.

Guelph Mercury

"Fred Dawkins’ Everyday Entrepreneur: Making it Happen provides a strong gateway into thinking about entrepreneurship."

Chicagonow.com

Excellent insights to empower you

by brenden

This book is an excellent read as it brings to light the very core of the human spirit pursuing individual effort and initiative while fighting fear and indecision. The Everyday Entrepreneur emboldens you to pursue with tools to address this fear.

Fred Dawkins draws you in with three dimensional characters that wrestle with the same uncertainties you have, but are also yearning for something more. He addresses these issues directly through the myriad of life lessons Fred has pooled together from a collection of entrepreneurs and successful individuals.

He tells the story so clearly that even junior business students like myself and seasoned entrepreneurs that often struggle, are able to take away key lessons right away. I find myself already following these lessons and applying them immediately with the entrepreneurs I am involved with.

There is a deep and insightful macro perspective that Fred brings out in the book and this is crucial towards understanding the future role of the entrepreneur as economies continue to evolve.

A lifetime of learning is passed to you in the two weeks in a cottage that this story takes place in. You will have the tools to make the most of the canvas in front of you after reading this book.

Excellent insights to empower you

by brenden

This book is an excellent read as it brings to light the very core of the human spirit pursuing individual effort and initiative while fighting fear and indecision. The Everyday Entrepreneur emboldens you to pursue with tools to address this fear.

Fred Dawkins draws you in with three dimensional characters that wrestle with the same uncertainties you have, but are also yearning for something more. He addresses these issues directly through the myriad of life lessons Fred has pooled together from a collection of entrepreneurs and successful individuals.

He tells the story so clearly that even junior business students like myself and seasoned entrepreneurs that often struggle, are able to take away key lessons right away. I find myself already following these lessons and applying them immediately with the entrepreneurs I am involved with.

There is a deep and insightful macro perspective that Fred brings out in the book and this is crucial towards understanding the future role of the entrepreneur as economies continue to evolve.

A lifetime of learning is passed to you in the two weeks in a cottage that this story takes place in. You will have the tools to make the most of the canvas in front of you after reading this book.

What a tale. Conquer your entrepreneurial fears

by nico

The everyday entrepreneur shares the tale of a group of new potential entrepreneurs fighting over their everyday fears of what it means to take own your own business. Its a very engaging story that will hook you in right from the very first chapter.

I truly enjoyed the core teachings in the book. They connect with the everyday fears we undergo when deciding to take on our own business. It shows how entrepreneurship is all about mindset and simply trucking through our fears.

I would recommend this book to both new entrepreneurs considering taking the leap into entrepreneurship and veterans who want to explore mentoring.

Great read.

The Wealthy Barber meets Man and Superman

by Steve Dawkins

Yes, this reviewer shares a surname with the author, and indeed, he is my uncle. But those familiar with families and business will know this does not - in the least - ensure a positive impression ;-)

That said, this is a wonderful book, a great read and truly valuable and sage resource for anyone contemplating the life of an entrepreneur or those in their circle attempting to understand their ambitions - and angst. While 'Sam' is not Fred, the former is fully informed with the diverse life lessons and good-bad-and-ugly experiences of the latter.

The narrative style is engaging and it's arguably the least pedantic book on business and innovation that's been published for many years (and that's a VERY good thing!) The Appendix is reminiscent, in my view, of that in Shaw's 'Man and Superman' - an equally practical social manifesto for its time; and the content and format will appeal to a wide swath of the clerisy, akin to The Wealthy Barber - David Chilton's best-seller in an adjacent genre/subject a decade ago.

In short, this is a great book - you should buy at least four copies, one for yourself and three for the first 'students' in your own workshop to pay forward the great gift and value of being an Everyday Entrepreneur.