Startups and Downs - by Mona Bijoor (Hardcover)

About the Book

Entrepreneurship is a cycle of failures and recoveries-hopefully with more successes than not. Mona Bijoor has created a guidebook for navigating the process. This book is about resilience. How do the best entrepreneurs think about failure-as it's happening and in hindsight-and ultimately win?

Book Synopsis

Entrepreneurship is a cycle of failures and recoveries-hopefully with more successes than not. This national bestseller is about resilience and navigating the process. How do the best entrepreneurs think about failure-as it's happening and in hindsight-and ultimately win?

Today's media is replete with stories about major entrepreneurial successes, IPOs (initial public offerings), mergers, and acquisitions. Reporters and readers alike have also been captivated by the stories of entrepreneurial failures, downfalls, and massive exits (think Travis Kalanick, Elizabeth Holmes, and Doug Evans). However, entrepreneurship is rarely linear, and a lot happens between the headlines and reality. Entrepreneurship is a cycle of failures and recoveries--hopefully with more successes than not.

Start-Ups and Downs: The Secrets of Resilient Entrepreneurs shares the wisdom of one entrepreneur who successfully disrupted an entire industry but felt as if she was never prepared for what came next. Mona Bijoor has created a guidebook for navigating the process, from pitching with power to coping with competition, with inspiring stories from respected entrepreneurs, including Nat Turner, cofounder and CEO of Flatiron Health; Courtney Nichols Gould, founder and co-CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins; and Stephen Kuhl, cofounder and CEO of Burrow, intended to lift up anyone determined to keep pushing forward.

This book is about resilience. How do the best entrepreneurs think about failure--as it's happening and in hindsight--and ultimately win?

Review Quotes

This book shares valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and those in the business world. It is an easy, quick, conversational read that keeps the tone honest for readers. I found myself genuinely engaged throughout. A lot of founders don't talk about failure and I think the honesty found among the founders in this book is commendable and will really help entrepreneurs.--Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Co-Founder of Gilt and GLAMSQUAD

This book is a must-read for entrepreneurs in their startup journey. Key startup lessons come to life through the honest and open stories of the author's own startup journey, both the good and the bad. Interviews with other founders in various stages of their companies help punctuate each theme in the book.--Sapna Shah, Principal, Red Giraffe Advisors

Startups and Downs should be read by any serious entrepreneur in the startup world--and really anyone who is focused on excelling at work. As an entrepreneur, having the right mindset is more than half the battle. The combination of Mona's personal experience, sage advice, and real-world examples shifts your mindset to build the next big business.--Sutian Dong, Venture Partner at Female Founders Fund

Startups and Downs is a must read for anyone thinking about, running or recovering from a startup. You'll learn how to handle the challenges, and most importantly learn that everyone experiences challenges, no matter how #blessed their companies look from the outside.--Sarah Kunst, Managing Director, Cleo Capital

This book provides anyone in the startup world with valuable guidance on how to build mental strength to overcome any challenge--big or small. There are several detailed examples on problems that founders commonly face and specific techniques on how to mentally move past these issues quickly and regain momentum.--Rachel Wexler, Angel Investor and Co-Founder of Black Iris