Atlantic Publishing

101 businesses you can start with less than one thousand dollars; for stay-at-home moms and dads.

This book aimed at stay-at-home parents details a step-by-step process for figuring out what type of business to start and the skills needed, the pros and cons of running a business, health care and retirement issues, business structure and obtaining licenses and permits, advertising, business plans, and financing. Incorporated throughout are case studies of successful businesses and lengthy chapters on specific ones that can be started for less than $1000, with details about each. Shepherd is an author, writer, teacher, and speaker who has started several businesses, which she operated from her home. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The complete guide to e-mail marketing; how to create successful, spam-free campaigns to reach your target audience and increase sales.

The author of How to Use the Internet to Advertise, Promote and Market Your Business or Web Site — With Little or No Money traces the history of online and e-mail marketing and the process of successful Canned Spam Act-compliant marketing campaigns. Brown offers industry expert advice, case studies, online resources, and a glossary. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The complete guide to planning your estate; a step-by-step plan to protect your assets, limit your taxes, and ensure your wishes are fulfilled.

Dying or becoming incapacitated without a will means leaving important estate decisions to the state. The author, who is not an attorney, takes readers through the steps of estate planning. The guide includes case studies, sample forms, a glossary, and Web resources, but not state-specific laws. As befits a book that considers provisions for pets (though not in the pages indicated in the index), a portion of the profits will be donated to The Human Society of the United States. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

How to open & operate a financially successful web-based business. (CD-ROM included)

Virginia-based free-lance writer Williams sets out an entire procedure for starting and running a business online. Among the stages she describes are finding a niche, designing the web site, creating powerful content for the web site, and hiring employees. The disk contains all the forms shown, plus Microsoft's business plan, which can be edited, but seems to have worked just fine as is for them. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The restaurant manager's handbook; how to set up, operate, and manage a financially successful food service operation, 4th ed. (CD-ROM included)

The author founded Atlantic Publishing company to publish training materials for the food service industry, and this reference, just one of the company's offerings, is now in its fourth edition. Reader- friendly, with large-type headings and an informal writing style, the 39 chapters cover buying or leasing a restaurant, creating a business plan, securing financing, and analyzing and investing in a franchise; layout, remodeling, and pre-opening activities; cost controls, menu planning, nutritional guidelines, equipment; inventory, storage, food buying, kitchen management, safety and sanitation, staff training and management, bar set up, and marketing, among other topics. The included CD-ROM contains forms and other material. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)