📘 Book Review: Finance Your Own Business: Get on the Financing Fast Track by Garrett Sutton Esq. & Gerri Detweiler
Introduction
Entrepreneurs often falter because they lack one critical skill:
unlocking funding. In Finance Your Own Business, corporate
attorney Garrett Sutton (Rich Dad Advisor) and credit expert Gerri
Detweiler offers a definitive, accessible guide to help startups and
seasoned business owners secure funding through diverse, intelligent
strategies—from bank loans to crowdfunding. This expanded edition
(2016) is structured around real-world scenarios, smart case studies,
and clear legal advice, making it a must-have resource for
navigating today’s small-business finance landscape.
Book Structure & Content Overview
The book is neatly divided into four parts, each targeting a key
phaseof the financing journey:
Finding Financing
Explores traditional sources like business credit cards, SBA, and
microloans, equipment leasing, factoring, and even retirement-
account financing
Offers refreshingly simple explanations of how lenders evaluate
applications and what entrepreneurs can do to improve their chances
Building Your Foundation
Lays out how to establish corporate structures (LLCs, corporations),
build business credit, and separate personal vs. business credit responsibly.
Walks through step-by-step credit-building plans and uses corporate formalities to protect assets.
Equity Funding
Covers the dynamics of angel investors, venture capital, and
crowdfunding.
Breaks down investment criteria, legal processes like private
placement memoranda (PPMs), and securities regulations
Mission Valley
Avoiding Scams & Staying on Track
Warns of predatory lending, funding fraud, and shady sales tactics like upfront-fee scams
Includes tools and frameworks to avoid traps and maintain clarity during sourcing efforts.
Packed with appendices—checklists, a PPM template, and real estate risk
assessment, and financing comparison tables—the material is
practical and user‑friendly
Key Themes & Insights
1. Diversify Your Financing Toolkit
Relying solely on personal savings or one loan type is risky. The
The book emphasizes combining various funding sources—SBA,
microloans, leasing, equity rounds, crowdfunding, and even
retirement-plan rollovers—to build financial resilience
2. Business Credit is Foundational
Sutton and Detweiler stress the importance of separating your
business credit from personal credit. Incorporate properly, open
credit accounts in your business name, and pay bills on time. This
independent credit strengthens authenticity with lenders, boosts
borrowing power, and safeguards personal assets
3. Be Equity-Investor Ready
The authors demystify the equity‑raising process: from identifying
angel and VC expectations to crafting pitches, preparing due
diligence documents (like PPMs), and running compliant
crowdfunding campaigns. Their crowdfunding rules are especially
timely given today’s lean‑startup environments
4. Due Diligence is Non‑Negotiable
A dedicated appendix highlights the importance of due diligence—
asking the right questions, vetting investment offers, and identifying
red flags. This structured approach helps entrepreneurs avoid deals
That seems too good to be true
5. Scam-Proof Strategies
The authors expose common pitfalls—such as upfront fees, false
brokers, and confusing contracts—arming readers with tactics to
avoid financial missteps. Real cases provide cautionary context
Covers the full spectrum of funding methods—from debt to equity. Some
readers expect deeper case studies or mechanics
Practical templates, checklists, and funding comparisons. U.S.-
Centric advice may not translate internationally
Legal and credit insights from recognized experts. Occasionally
repetitive with earlier Garrett Sutton titles
Clearly written—plain English for non-financial readers
Writing Style & Readability
Sutton and Detweiler write in friendly, conversational prose. The
flow is logical, short-chapter oriented, and peppered with relatable
examples and case scenarios. Despite covering finance and legal
topics, the style remains clear and approachable—not at all
daunting.
Who Will Benefit Most?
Ideal for:
Startups & Early-Stage Businesses seeking capital and credit
guidance.
Solo Entrepreneurs and Freelancers need structured financing advice.
Small Business Owners looking to scale responsibly via debt or
equity.
Financial Novices seeking legal and financial education in easy-to-
understand ways.
Less ideal for:
People seeking a stock market or retirement investing guide.
Large corporations or international firms need advanced cash flow modeling.
“business financing strategies”
“How to build business credit.”
“crowdfunding for startups.”
“SBA loan guide”
“Garrett Sutton, finance your own business review.”
Paperback: Finance Your Own Business – Paperback
Kindle Edition: Finance Your Own Business – Kindle
Audiobook: Finance Your Own Business – Audible
🚀 Launch your business with funded confidence! Grab Finance
Your Own Business by Sutton & Detweiler on Amazon, and learn
How to build business credit, secure loans, and raise equity: Grab the Paperback here.
Final Verdict
Finance Your Own Business is an essential, all-in-one financing
reference for any entrepreneur. It blends legal wisdom, financial
acumen, and practical insights with a conversational tone. Whether
you’re bootstrapping, chasing the right investor, building credit, or
launching a crowdfunding campaign, this book demystifies the
process and equips you with the tools to build your business smartly and safely.
If you’re ready to get funded without missteps, grab your copy today
and secure the financial future of your business.
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