Business for Bohemians

Book excerpt: “Extremely funny . . . part practical business handbook, part entrepreneur’s memoirs, aimed at freelancers or small-business owners in the creative fields.” —Financial Times If you want to run your own business—but cash flow forecasts, tax returns, and P&Ls sound horrifying—fear not. Help is at hand. Journalist and cofounder of the Idler Tom Hogkinson has spent his career advocating for laid-back living, and in Business for Bohemians, he combines practical advice with hilarious anecdotes to create a refreshingly candid guidebook for all of us who aspire to a greater degree of freedom in our working lives. Whether you dream of launching your own graphic design startup or growing your Etsy store into a full-scale operation in your spare time, Business for Bohemians will equip you with the tools to turn your talents into a profitable and enjoyable business. Accounting need no longer be a dark art. You will become a social media maven and a friend of the spreadsheet. You will learn the art of negotiation, how to get paid, and how to decide which clients to take. You will discover that laziness can be a virtue. Above all, you will realize that freedom from the nine-to-five life is achievable—and, with Hodgkinson’s comforting, pragmatic, and funny advice, you might even enjoy yourself along the way. “Ways to tackle topics ranging from finance to social media . . . solid examples and a helpful glossary of business terms. Readers familiar with his lighthearted, humorous approach to life will find much to enjoy.” —Booklist “Plenty of good, practical advice.” —The Wall Street Journal