Finance Your Own Business by Garrett Sutton and Gerri Detweiler (Book Review)
Finance Your Own Business by Garrett Sutton and Gerri Detweiler is a game-changing guide for entrepreneurs looking to take control of their business’s financial future. This book breaks down the complexities of business financing, offering clear advice on securing funding, building business credit, and exploring alternative financing strategies. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your business, Sutton and Detweiler provide a roadmap to help you navigate the world of loans, credit, crowdfunding, and more.
Who Are Garrett Sutton and Gerri Detweiler?
Garrett Sutton is a lawyer with over 35 years of experience helping business owners and real estate investors protect their assets and reach financial goals. As part of Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad Advisors,” Garrett teaches strategies for building and protecting wealth. He’s written several bestselling books, including Start Your Own Corporation and Loopholes of Real Estate, all part of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series.
Garrett earned his law degree from UC Hastings in San Francisco and is licensed in Nevada and California. He also serves on boards for The American Baseball Foundation, Nevada Museum of Art, and Sierra Kids Foundation.
Gerri Detweiler is an expert in credit and small business finance. She is known for helping individuals and business owners find reliable answers to their financial questions. With over 4,500 media appearances, including The Today Show and The New York Times, she has widely shared her knowledge on credit and finance. Gerri has also testified before Congress on consumer credit legislation and answered more than 10,000 credit questions online.
As an author, Gerri has co-authored six books, including Finance Your Own Business with Rich Dad Advisor Garrett Sutton. She has also written hundreds of articles for various magazines and websites.
Gerri’s background includes roles as education director at Nav and Credit.com, where she helped people navigate consumer and small business credit. She has hosted a weekly live radio show, Talk Credit Radio, and has been a guest on numerous podcasts.
Top Reasons to Read “Finance Your Own Business”?
Securing financing to fuel growth can be one of the most challenging hurdles for business owners. Finance Your Own Business by Garrett Sutton and Gerri Detweiler provides a clear roadmap to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of business financing.
Finance Your Own Business is about controlling your business’s financial future. Sutton and Detweiler break down how to effectively build and maintain business credit—essentially giving you the tools to secure financing without relying solely on personal credit.
One of the most valuable takeaways is the guidance on obtaining business credit cards and small business loans. The book offers a simple yet detailed explanation of how business credit works, including why it’s important to separate your business and personal credit. It even goes into the step-by-step process of establishing business credit if you’re starting from scratch, something many business owners overlook.
What sets this book apart is its extensive coverage of alternative financing strategies. It dives into crowdfunding, SBA loans, and even micro-lenders—avenues unfamiliar to many small business owners. The authors also provide a detailed look at how to create your own Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), which can open the door to funding from investors.
If you’re concerned about using your retirement funds to finance your business, Sutton and Detweiler explain the risks and potential rewards. This section is especially helpful for those considering non-traditional funding routes. For entrepreneurs interested in crowdfunding, the book explores how to leverage platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe and the legal and financial implications involved.
Beyond the financing strategies, the book also includes a Business Credit Resource Guide, packed with valuable contacts and resources to help you get started.
Final Thoughts
Finance Your Own Business by Garrett Sutton and Gerri Detweiler is a great book for business owners looking to overcome financing challenges. The book gives clear advice on building business credit, obtaining loans, and exploring alternative funding options like crowdfunding and SBA loans. It empowers entrepreneurs to separate personal and business credit, avoid financial scams, and confidently navigate the complex world of business finance.
What sets this book apart is its practical guidance and real-world examples, making it accessible for both seasoned entrepreneurs and those just starting. The comprehensive Business Credit Resource Guide is an added bonus, providing key contacts and tools to build a solid financial foundation.
Finance Your Own Business is a must-read for anyone serious about growing their business and ensuring long-term financial stability. It offers a roadmap to take control of your financial future, giving you the tools to fuel your business’s growth and success.
