Synopsis

Every journey starts with an idea and a fantasy of discovering the great unknown.  This book explores the path an entrepreneur must take to reach the “x” on the map and beyond.  The author draws on research from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and healthy entrepreneur ecosystems to help founders navigate their journey using effective business strategies and techniques that keep the leader whole.  The content of this book provides a rich tapestry woven of sound theory and practical application.  Moreover, the author provides a clear road map for entrepreneurs who seek to find balance and wellness throughout their journey and achieve a life of happiness beyond the company they created.

Outline

What you’ll learn:

1.     Set sail with the destination in mind: From startup to scale to exit:

·       How to transform your business at each stage of growth to maintain the optimal trajectory

·       When the compass goes awry: Creating innovative solutions with limited resources

·       Harnessing the wind: reveling in your success

·       Land ho: Moving from sea legs to solid ground; preparing for an offer

·       Becoming part of a new crew: Transitioning ownership responsibilities for a graceful exit

2.     Oh captain my captain:

·       Be the leader your crew thinks you are: Leadership skills to tackle the toughest seas

·       Emotional intelligent leaders find the most treasure

·       Leadership habits that lead to engaged workforces and inspire creative solutions

·       IQ vs EQ vs eQuu

3.     Maintaining your bearings: Keeping your wits about you to handle whatever the wind may bring

·       Keeping the ship centered: Mindfulness practices for professionals

·       Swab the deck: Healthy brain habits for optimal performance

·       Creativity and the brain; a neuroscience perspective

·       Performing under pressure: Avoiding distractions in troubled times to reach your destination

4.     Making the seas safe for future captains:

·       Rum island: Living graciously in your success and establishing a lifestyle of meaning

·       Your next voyage: Finding happiness through balance and purpose

·       Share your bounty: Coaching future leaders from the lessons you’ve learned

Audience

This book is for innovators, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and adventurers. According to the Kauffman foundation, entrepreneurs create all net new jobs in the United States. When companies grow and leaders manage larger numbers of staff, levels of motivation, employee engagement, and performance outcomes become increasingly important. Additionally, the global expansion of organizations requires leaders to be more skilled in emotional aspects of the employees they lead. Gallup estimates that disengaged employees cost companies over $350B a year in lost production. Apogee provides insight into navigating these challenges.  This book is ideal for founders who are just starting out but looking ahead to the growth and expansion of their companies. The content provides the framework for founders and leaders who are looking to build strong companies that can weather the test of time, keep employee engagement high, and maintain a sense of balance and well-being for themselves and the people within their charge.  Ideal readers include founders of companies (first timers and serial entrepreneurs), those within leadership positions of large corporate businesses, academics focused on business and those looking to create more balance and success in their life.

Promotion

I have run successful crowd funding campaigns on two previous occasions. I have a network of approximately 4,000 followers across a variety of social media channels, email distribution lists, and former clients and students.  I will be posting the book campaign via these channels with targeted messaging and a call to action to support the campaign.  Additionally, I will reach out directly to key influencers within my network and establish an "echo chamber" effect through leveraged social media reach and support. 

Competition

The Mindful Entrepreneur: How to rapidly grow your business
while staying sane, focused and fulfilled - by Joel Gerschman. Publication Date: April 23, 2017.  This book is similar in nature to my proposal but mine is based more on research and practical application with proven strategies rather than quick fix approaches and gimmicks that only work for specific types of companies. 

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - by Dan Pink. Published April 5, 2011.  This book follows my format with strong science and research with practical anecdotal stories from companies who implement key concepts. My content is more updated with a stronger focus on emotional intelligence and achieving the Drive that Dan Pink discussed through a effective tools that can be used to support a diverse workforce. 

The Age of Metapreneurship: 21st Century Entrepreneurship - by CJ Cornell. Publication Date: April 11, 2017.  Strong focus on proven track record of success from an author who has actually practiced what he preaches. Focus is primarily on scale and business growth rather than overall well-being of the entrepreneur.  My proposal covers both areas. 

Purpose Driven Entrepreneurship: The 10 Entrepreneurship Skills You Need to Transform Your Life, Start a Business You Love, and Change the World - by Tchiki Davis. Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 3, 2018). This book focuses more on the philosophy of entrepreneurship and establishing a life of meaning and purpose.  My book focuses more on the purpose you create through your entrepreneurship journey and how you can find balance in this journey. 

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success - by Adam Grant, PhD. Publisher: Penguin Books (April 9, 2013).  This book provides a strong foundation on how establishing strong relationships helps to build success for all parties.  My book enhances this approach by looking at what happens after the success of your company and how you can support others through what you have learned along the way.