THE PARENTPRENEUR EDGE

Praise for The ParentPreneur Edge "Who needs an MBA? Julie's book teaches you how to use your parenting experiences to build a business. Brilliant stuff!" --Mary Cantando, author, The Woman's Advantage: 20 Women Entrepreneurs Show You What It Takes to Grow Your Business "Finally! Something that successfully illustrates that parenthood is clearly an asset to gaining the edge in business and success. Julie has written a valuable book that inspires, motivates, and educates." --Gina Robison-Billups, President, Moms In Business Network and The International Association of Working Mothers "Whether you already have your own business or are thinking about starting one, you need to read this book. Full of actionable ideas that, when adopted, will bring benefits to your business before you're even done reading the book!" --Dr. Tom Hill, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul "At last--a book that demolishes the polarization of parenting and work! The skills and talents developed through parenting are a mirror image of those developed and needed in entrepreneurship. Julie Lenzer Kirk's . . . firsthand experience blows away abstractions and shows both parents and entrepreneurs how to thrive. This is a necessary and inspiring book for anyone wanting a whole life." --Margaret Heffernan, author, The Naked Truth and How She Does It, Visiting Professor in Entrepreneurship, Simmons College School of Management "Julie Lenzer Kirk integrates parenting and entrepreneurship in a way that incorporates the best of both worlds with a message that screams: You can do it all and enjoy it too!" --Claudia Morrell, Executive Director, Center for Women and Information Technology "This engaging book will inspire readers by showing them how the lessons and skills they've learned as parents can give them an edge in launching a business." --Rieva Lesonsky, Editorial Director, Entrepreneur magazine "Julie makes the case that parenthood and entrepreneurship are the two toughest jobs you will ever love. Successful parenting skills can be put to great use when you journey down the exciting path of entrepreneurship. This book will help readers make that important connection." --Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO, Enterprising Women magazine

Julie Lenzer Kirk is an award-winning entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering others into entrepreneurship. She is a business owner, mentor, author, international speaker, community volunteer, and mother of two. Julie founded her first company, a software and services firm called Applied Creative Technologies, Inc. (ACT), when her children were young, and grew her business to multimillions in revenues. After cashing out and selling ACT's software to a business partner, she now teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and runs another business, Path Forward International. Through this new venture, she offers workshops, consulting, and keynotes to give entrepreneurial companies and individuals a "Boot in the Butt" to launch new ideas, grow existing ventures, find their work/life balance, and fine-tune their leadership skills. You can subscribe to Julie's monthly Boot in the Butt newsletter through her Web site at www.JulieLenzerKirk.com.

Chapter 1. Running a Business is Like Raising a Child.
Chapter 2. Preparing for Entrepreneurship.
Chapter 3. Launching.
Chapter 4. The Early Years.
Chapter 5. Ramping Up: A Time to Learn.
Chapter 6. Growing Pains.
Chapter 7. Emerging Independence.
Chapter 8. Exercising Your Exit.
Chapter 9. Having it All—Myth or Reality?
Chapter 10. The Edge.
Index.