If there's ever been a time for a handbook on the basics of starting a small self-employment business, it's now. American workers are increasingly finding themselves unemployed due to downsizing and plant closures. The current economic crisis will leave millions of people out of work with few good job prospects. When I started writing this book in early 2008, my goal was to share my experience in building a small business with those who might want to make a change. Now, it may prove vital to people who have always worked for someone else but find they need to work for themselves due to job loss and a tough economy. I believe millions of Americans should reject the cycle of being hired by corporations, only to be discarded at the first sign of an economic downturn. This country was founded by self-employed people. Small businesses are the backbone of America. I wrote this book to help those who want or need to build a small business but don't know how or where to start.