For many, achieving the American Dream means taking control of their destiny, quitting their 9 to 5, and opening the doors to their very own business. These brave entrepreneurial souls have shaped American enterprise, and today, they're playing the critical role of helping to drive the nation's economic recovery. If you're one of these people—pouring your blood, sweat, and tears into running your own business—my new book, Growing an Entrepreneurial Business: Concepts & Cases (Stanford University Press, 2011) stresses that there's no time for rest. Once you've got your start-up off the ground, the daunting task of growing your business to the next level must begin.

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