The Introvert Entrepreneur

September 7, 2015
Buelow (Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert), a professional coach and founder of a company called the Introvert Entrepreneur (as well as a podcast of the same name), makes a case for introvert-friendly entrepreneurship—including techniques for hustling, pitching, and networking—in this winning business manual. According to her, introverts can succeed, with careful planning, in building businesses that emphasize authenticity and relationships without draining all of their energy or feeling like they’ve given up their souls. Buelow adeptly and compassionately covers the basics of this personality type—a demographic estimated to constitute about 50% of the population but often overlooked and marginalized by extroverts—and dispenses advice, both high-level and granular, for entrepreneurial success. She describes networking and self-promotion, handling fear and doubt, finding your voice, collaboration, succeeding by staying in your comfort zone, and selling yourself and your product, this last task being one of the hardest things for introverts to face and achieve. This is a thoughtful, kind, and helpful guide for all those who are looking to strike out on their own, but concerned that their need for alone time may get in the way. Agent: Annie Bomke, Annie Bomke Literary Agency.

October 15, 2015
Buelow, entrepreneur and coach, explores a range of entrepreneurial topics from an introvert's perspective. With stories and lessons, she provides a road map for introverts to emphasize their strengths, which include being thorough and introspective, finding comfort in going it alone, and loving research. The author states, Introversion inherently has nothing to do with social skills and everything to do with how a person gains or drains energy, processes information, and relates to the world. Bill Gates, Larry Page, and Mark Zuckerberg are notable introvert entrepreneurs. The author examines the fears, challenges, and opportunities that introverts face, and she offers advice for readers to use or discard, as applicable. The author finds that introverts feel vulnerable delivering presentations, e-mailing and calling strangers, and attending networking eventsimportant activities for entrepreneurs. Yet, to be successful, introverts must persist in these uncomfortable activities. Buelow quotes hockey's famous Wayne Gretzky: You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take. Excellent book for introvert entrepreneurs and managers of a large and varied workforce.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)