Escape from Cubicle Nation by my friend Pam Slim

I connected with Pam Slim first through Havi Brooks, and then through getting to know her on Twitter. And, we seemed to hit it off, and so she was kind enough to include me on a list of people to receive a copy of her book to review, Escape from Cubicle Nation–From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur.

Let me explain that I’m running a business, I’m a new father of twin boys, and I’m a little sleep-deprived. I haven’t really had a lot of extra time to read.

Howsoever, when Pam’s book arrived, and I saw the cover, I couldn’t help but flip it open.

And there it was, the line on page 2 that everyone seems to be repeating, and that sums up the gestalt of the whole book (whatever “gestalt” means):

“And despite what a lot of hyped-up marketing material will tell you, hating your job intensely is not a business plan.”

One morning, after a 3am feeding which my wife blissfully slept through (one of only two nights a week when I’m on for the night feedings–an arrangement that allows me to be coherent and run the business that keeps us in baby formula), I couldn’t go back to sleep. So I picked up her book. I think I had made it to the second chapter.

And finished the book by 5:30am. (That’s your cue to go buy it now.)

If you’re wondering how to make the leap from corporate to entrepreneur this is the book for you. It’s got the nitty-gritty, like:

• “How to Shop for Benefits, including the basics, resources, and some things you definitely might not have thought of. And what is more terrifying than being without benefits while you’re trying to support your family?
• “Do I Really Have to Have a Business Plan?” The answer is “Absolutely not.” And “Absolutely.” which is a lot more clear than you think if you read the chapter. And you’ll be glad you did, because business plans and planning can either speed you up or slow you down, depending.
• “How Do I Choose a Good Business Idea” including Pam’s direct confrontation of the popular trite-ism “Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow.” No, she’s not recommending losing what you love, but she does clue you in how and where the money comes from.

But, this is not another boring how-to-set-up-a-business book. What kind of a boring-how-to-set-up-a-business book would help you detox from corporate life and thaw out your soul, which you must do. You can’t be a successful entrepreneur with a frozen soul, period.

Or how how about facing your family and friends who maybe don’t have an entrepreneurial bone in their body and can’t conceive of you actually making it, and so they tell you their worries day in and day out until your dreams start to turn to dust…

Except that you were smart enough to have both picked up this book and read it.

About the Writing Itself

I revel in the informal, conversational, messy, impromptu, in-the-moment writing that has cropped up in blogs, on Twitter, and in a variety of pdfs. I love it that written conversation is accessible to everyone.

At the same time I’m a writer and sometime editor, and have been for more than twenty years. I worked on a daily newspaper, I ran a non-profit magazine, and I’ve written hundreds of articles and a few books.

I say this to let you know that I value quality writing. There is a skill, talent and art to written expression which makes it easy for the reader to walk into a book, sit down, and have a cup of tea. A combination of humor, heart-opening turns of phrase, and an ability to empathize and stay connected to you as the reader.

Pam’s got it. You’ll enjoy reading the book. You will. Even the parts that could be boring, like “Looking Your Finances in the Eye,” are a pleasure to read.

Why Am I Making Such a Big Deal Out of This Book?

Heart of Business has two missions. The inner mission is to help people touch spirit, to remember Oneness and love in the context of business and money, specifically small business and being self-employed.

The outer mission is to have as many people as possible thriving, with their hearts open, because small businesses are where most of the jobs, creativity, passion, and life-blood comes from in the business world. And strong small businesses help keep money local, and they help to weave strong communities.

A huge number of people have just been forcibly ejected from the corporate world, and millions more are wanting to make the leap. Around the turn of the last century, half the population of the US was self-employed or working in small businesses. I think we’d all be healthier and better off if we were to get back closer to that percentage.

Pam and her Escape from Cubicle Nation- From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur are compadres of ours in this mission. She may only suspect it, but we’re soul-siblings in terms of this mission.

So, there you go. My cards on the table. Now, please, go get the book. And follow her on Twitter. And read her blog.

And start a business.