About the Author

Greg Holden started the small business Stylus Media, which is a group of editorial, design, and computer professionals who produce both print and electronic publications. Greg has been a freelance writer since 1996, and is also a novelist. A former PowerSeller on eBay, he is now embarking on a new hobby — beekeeping. (Visit Greg's blog, www.gregholden.com, for more about his activities and for links to his fiction.)

The first edition of Starting an Online Business For Dummies was the ninth of Greg's more than 45 computer books, and he authored eBay PowerUser's Bible for Wiley Publishing. Over the years, he has been a regular contributor to CNET (www.cnet.com) and to EcommerceBytes (www.ecommercebytes.com). Greg balances his technical expertise and his entrepreneurial experience with his love of literature. He received a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and he writes general-interest books, short stories, and poetry.

Greg translated his experiences raising two daughters into the book Karma Kids: Answering Everyday Parenting Questions with Buddhist Wisdom. He lives with his wife and their Corgi in a Victorian rowhouse in Chicago. He is a longtime member of Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation and study group based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Dedication

To my father, who taught me all about being innovative, working independently, and working hard.

Author’s Acknowledgments

The most successful entrepreneurs tend to be the most generous with their time and experience. I want to thank everyone who was profiled as a case study: Dean Pettit of Space Coast Outdoors; Ryan Hatfield of PriceSpectre; Lucky Boyd of MyTexasMusic.com; Paula Slof of Paula and Chlo; Mike Holden of lp2cdsolutions; Nanette Thorell of Enchanted Hen Productions; Mimi Kriele of A Touch of Europe; Eva Kertesz; John Moen of Graphic Maps; Mike LoCarto of Natural Body Inc.; Jason Bolt of Society43; John Counsel of The Profit Clinic; Jeffrey E. Edelheit; Lars Hundley of Clean Air Gardening; Laura Milnor Iverson; Chris Green of FBAPower; Brad Owens of Rock Shop Music and Comics; Doug Laughter of The Silver Connection; Skye Ryan-Evans; Kharisma Ryantori; Sarah-Lou Morris of Alfresco; Judy Vorfeld of Office Support Services; Marques Vickers; and Scott Wills. Special recognition also goes to attorney David Adler (www.ecommerceattorney.com) for his assistance with Chapter 16.

I would also like to acknowledge my wife, Peggy, who has supported and encouraged me in all areas of life. And thanks to Ina Steiner at EcommerceBytes for allowing me to write interesting articles about online businesses of all sorts.

For editing and technical assignments, I was lucky to be in the capable hands of the folks at Wiley Publishing: my project editor, Brian Walls; my copy editor, Lynn Northrup; and my technical editor, Joel Elad.

Thanks also to Neil Salkind of Studio B, and to Kyle Looper of Wiley Publishing, for helping me to add this book to the list of those I’ve authored and, in the process, broadening my expertise as a writer.

Last but certainly not least, the future is in the hands of the generation of my two daughters, Zosia and Lucy, who allow me to learn from the curiosity and joy with which they approach life.

Publisher's Acknowledgments

Acquisitions Editor: Kyle Looper

Project Editor: Brian Walls

Copy Editor: Lynn Northrup

Technical Editor: Joel Elad

Editorial Assistant: Annie Sullivan

Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case

Project Coordinator: Katherine Crocker

Cover Image: © John Lund/Marc Romanelli/Jupiter Images