The economy of you : discover your inner entrepreneur and recession-proof your life

The biggest trend in business is the microbusiness! Handcrafted jewelry, artisanal eats, life coaching, app development, you name it - entrepreneurial side ventures are everywhere. Weary of pink-slip anxiety and the endless money squeeze, millions of people are taking the leap. They're adding to their incomes and creating safety nets in case the ax falls at work. In the process, they're unlocking their creativity and finding a sense of fulfillment they never dreamed possible. Financial columnist Kimberly Palmer illuminates the everyday faces behind this growing movement, starting with her own journey. Recognizing that journalism offers little job security these days - and with a baby to provide for-she decided to develop a series of financial planners. This supplemental business was soon providing a reliable income stream. The Economy of You recounts story after story of people who - like Kimberly - are liberating themselves from financial strain. A deli employee who makes custom cakes at night. An instrument repairman who sells voice-overs on his website. A videographer who started a profitable publishing house on the side. Interwoven in the profiles are concrete guidelines for readers looking to launch rewarding businesses of their own, including: tips for figuring out the ideal side gig; ideas for keeping start up costs low; advice on juggling a fledgling enterprise and a full-time job; strategies for finding your "tribe" and building a social network; branding and marketing basics that bring results; when and what to offer for free; and much more. Companies guarantee nothing but today's wages. It's up to you to build stability by becoming a money-making engine. It's empowering, gratifying, and easy to do with The Economy of You. "Weary of pink-slip anxiety and the never-ending money squeeze? Join the millions who are starting side-gig businesses, and taking back their financial futures! Do-it-yourselfers and solopreneurs are everywhere, launching eBay stores, artisanal eats, e-books, life coaching services, apps, tutoring businesses--you name it--on top of their regular jobs. They're adding to their incomes, building safety nets, learning new skills, and finding a sense of fulfillment they never dreamed possible. One study found that more than a third of under-40 respondents had started supplemental businesses. And the trend extends further, as Baby Boomers eyeing retirement are turning to sideline endeavors to sustain their lifestyles. Get in on the action with 'The Economy of You, ' a groundbreaking book that both documents the exploding side-gig phenomenon and supplies how-to information for creating a lucrative venture of your own, including: Tips for figuring out the ideal side-gig--Ideas for keeping start-up costs low--Advice on juggling a fledgling enterprise and a full-time job--Strategies for finding your "tribe" and building a social network--Branding and marketing basics that bring results--When and what to offer for free--And much more. 'The Economy of You' recounts story after story of people who are liberating themselves from financial strain. A deli employee who makes custom cakes at night. An instrument repairman who sells voice-overs on his website. A videographer who started a profitable publishing house on the side. Even the author's own entrepreneurial journey, triggered by the job anxieties of a turbulent profession and income demands of a new baby. Her self-created series of financial planners, along with extra freelance work, supplied the additional revenue stream she needed. Your current job may be comfortable, but there's no guarantee it will grow sufficiently to cover rising expenses--or even last beyond the next paycheck. It's up to you to build stability by tapping into your inner entrepreneur and becoming a money-making engine."--Print The microbusiness is huge! That’s not just a play on words but an indisputable fact that millions of budding entrepreneurs have already figured out. On top of adding to their income and creating safety nets in case the ax falls at work, they have been able to unlock their creativity and find a sense of fulfillment they never dreamed possible--or rather day-dreamed possible from their uninspiring cubicle.In The Economy of You, author and microbusiness owner herself Kimberly Palmer illuminates the everyday faces behind this growing movement, starting with her own journey. Readers will meet a deli employee who makes custom cakes at night, an instrument repairman who sells voice-overs on his website, a videographer who started a profitable publishing house on the side, and many other inspirational examples of those who have discovered how to turn their joys and hobbies into a profitable microbusiness. Interwoven in the profiles are concrete guidelines for readers looking to launch rewarding businesses of their own, including: • Tips for figuring out the ideal side gig • Ideas for keeping start-up costs low • Advice on juggling a fledgling enterprise and a full-time job • Branding and marketing basics that bring results • When and what to offer for free • And much moreYour employer can guarantee nothing but today’s wages. It’s up to YOU to build real financial stability. It’s empowering, gratifying, and now easy to do with The Economy of You. Join the millions who are starting side-gig businesses, and taking back their financial futures! Do-it-yourselfers and solopreneurs are everywhere, launching eBay stores, artisanal eats, e-books, life coaching services, apps, tutoring businesses--you name it--on top of their regular jobs. They're adding to their incomes, building safety nets, learning new skills, and finding a sense of fulfillment they never dreamed possible. Get in on the action. This book both documents the exploding side-gig phenomenon and supplies how-to information for creating a lucrative venture of your own, including: tips for figuring out the ideal side-gig; ideas for keeping start-up costs low; advice on juggling a fledgling enterprise and a full-time job; strategies for finding your "tribe" and building a social network; branding and marketing basics that bring results; when and what to offer for free. This book recounts story after story of people who are liberating themselves from financial strain: the author's own entrepreneurial journey, triggered by the job anxieties of a turbulent profession and income demands of a new baby; her self-created series of financial planners, along with extra freelance work, supplied the additional revenue stream she needed