No Limits: How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams

Having followed some of Sara's writing on the topics of Artificial Intelligence, and AI, I was very curious to read her latest title on a different subject entirely. She does a wonderful job of explaining the self-employment process. She begins by explaining the reasons why someone might choose self-employment over a seemingly "secure" corporate job. She personalizes this description with a very interesting summary of her own transition to a career that she found more rewarding. She then moves on to the practical "nuts and bolts" of shifting your career to self-employment. Sara covers everything from marketing, promotion and legal structures. She even discusses healthcare, outside of the group policies traditionally found in the corporate world. If you are considering the shift to self-employment, I think you will find this an inspirational read.

Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (10/09) This motivational informative book is filled with first-hand advice from author Sara Morgan. The first chapter is dedicated to telling her story by way of six "challenges" that many can relate to (college, first job, motherhood, wrong job fit, short term/part time contracting work, and jobless). But that is only the beginning. After the birth of three children and the divorce of two husbands, Morgan decided to share her experiences in written format about her challenges in corporate America. Her hope is that others can find inspiration and motivation in their search to find fulfillment in self-employment. "No Limits: How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams" was written for the person who dreams of being an entrepreneur but is afraid to venture out without a lifeline into the world of self-employment. How many of us have dreamed of being our own boss, making our own decisions, making our own hours. As enticing as this appears, it is hard work with lots of opportunity for failure. But Morgan clearly explains the benefits of being self employed by highlighting her work environment in a whimsical way (her four outdoor break rooms in St. Francisville, Louisiana where she goes to unwind and think) and a practical way (her flexible hours that allow her to spend more time with her children.) Included in this book are profiles of seven self-employed people who were interviewed by the author. Each of them found the courage to leave behind restricting jobs and start their own business. They are characterized as being secure, successful, a finisher, goal oriented, free, a chance taker, and optimistic. Their biographies are located at the end of the book along with information on the companies they founded. I was impressed with the way Morgan applies their experiences to the facts she is trying to get the reader to understand. First-hand information such as this makes the context more applicable. A chapter is devoted to words of good advice from the author as well as people she encountered through her journey to self-employment. Chapter seven is quite precise with tips on start-up costs, writing a business plan, websites to visit for more information, and making a presence in the business world by creating a website. She concludes each chapter with a summation of the chapter topic for quick reference and action. A reference section at the end of the book is loaded with contact people who are experts in their field. "No Limits: How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams" is definitely a great reference book for anyone starting their own business. I especially liked the content of this book. It's an easy read yet has practical advice on business start up practices. Author Sara Morgan's words "work, live and have fun" are woven throughout the book. Anyone can tell she is living those words after breaking

No one wants to be a corporate wage slave their entire life. "No Limits: How I escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams" serves as a guide for striking out on one's own to make their own way in life away from the corporate oppression that so often destroys souls. Tips on starting finances, the right mental mind-set for self-employment and more are all discussed. "No Limits" makes for solid and highly recommended reading for the potentially self-employed.

[...] Anyway, about this book... When I was given the offer to review this book, there was no question about it. I spend everyday trying to better myself and educate the people around me. I really enjoy reading books that empower you and give you the tools you need to aid you in this life. This is no get rich quick scheme. This book will help you pinpoint your strengths and weakness and give you the skills necessary to be your own boss. I think that this book is a wonderful guide for small business owners but I also think that the benefits provided by this book could be helpful to anyone, anywhere. You can apply much of what you read into your daily life.

Reviewed by Kam Aures for [...] (08/09) "No Limits- How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams" is a very inspiring book. If you currently are employed within corporate America and have dreams of starting your own business, I think that "No Limits" will give you the extra push that you need to go out and do it! The author, Sara Morgan, makes an excellent point in her introduction that small businesses have an advantage right now. "The new economy insists that successful businesses are able to react quickly and that these businesses are able to closely monitor their markets and rapidly adjust according to their needs." (p. 17) Corporate America really can't do that, but small businesses can. Therefore, if you are interested in starting your own, now is the time to do it! Morgan starts out the book by telling us her own story of how she became self-employed in 2005 by starting a consulting company. She then goes out to outline the benefits of self-employment, describes the type of person who will more likely succeed in starting a business of their own, tells us how to get started, and provides us with plenty of other useful tips and advice. "No Limits- How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams" is well-organized and is an easy book to read. All of the points are neatly laid out and there is even a chapter summary card at the end of each chapter. Morgan suggests that these chapter summary cards be copied and posted up somewhere where you are able to see them every day. This process would provide a great reminder of the ideas discussed and also serve as a sort of an action plan. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in becoming self-employed. There are a lot of great points in the book that I believe will be very inspirational and encouraging to those that have an interest in starting a business of their own!