The Entrepreneur's Secret to Creating Wealth: How The Smartest Business Owners Build Their Fortunes Paperback – October 1, 2012

So I just finished reading this book after having a friend recommend it to me. I work in finance currently, and have worked in Real Estate, so I am always looking to fill in the gaps in my knowledge.This book does an excellent job of walking a prospective commercial property buyer through all the options available to them. It basically espouses what I call the "McDonald's Method" of real estate investing. Sure, McDonald's might sell hamburgers and french fries, but they're really in the business of real estate, owning commercial property worldwide, typically with their restaurants as a tenant. They have been extremely successful in growing their asset base as a result. This method provides a stable way to invest and grow cashflow, eliminating a great deal of the risk in being a landlord.Now, with this piece of the puzzle, it makes a whole lot more sense. Using Chris' expert level knowledge about SBA loans (essentially a lower risk debt structure for both the lender and the borrower) you are able to have the government finance part of the debt, through a bond, and its much easier to stomach for everyone involved. Better leverage and solid rates make this the best time in recent history to be building asset ownership.If you own a small business, or a large chain, and you're not using these strategies to grow your wealth using commercial real estate, you're missing out. And I'd be hard pressed to find anyone who knows more about this subject than the author of this book. He has been a champion of this lending program for years, and done hundreds of these loans through his bank. He provides great examples of real life case studies where these loans have helped business owners become their own landlords instead of paying rent to make someone else rich.I now have yet another tool in my entrepreneurial tool belt that I didn't know existed, and will be better equipped to plan for enterprise operations in the future, no matter what endeavor I choose. Highly recommended.

I initially ordered 2 copies of Chris' book. I follow Chris on Twitter and work with small business owners throughout the United States on a daily basis so I know Chris' name and how highly respected he is. We know Chris as the nations #1 expert on the SBA 504 loan that is largely forgotten or ignored but is also probably the best type of commercial real estate loan for nearly all small business owners. As I read The Entrepreneurs Secret to Creating Wealth I was, not surprisingly, very impressed. Chris is a true expert and he lays out the path very systematically and methodically. Today I went back on Amazon and bought several more copies of this book so I can begin to give it out as a gift. If you are a small business owner there are many books you could read and a few that you "should" read. This is one that belongs on the short list. If you are a small business owner or know someone who is this book is a no brainer.Thanks Chris. Your contribution to small business owners is greatly appreciated.

I've been following the author's (Chris Hurn) work for several years as he and I were in an entrepreneur group together about 5 years ago. Its been interesting to watch his growth. Chris is a recognized expert in SBA 504 loans and much of the book is about the SBA 504 loan program works. At first you might say "well, I'd never need that type of loan so this book won't be valuable to me."That would be a mistake because Chris has imbedded within the book a lot of real life stories of entrepreneurs he has helped, so you are not only getting an excellent review of the SBA 504 process( which can seem complex - he makes it understandable) but, if you are smart you are also reading the book, taking ideas from other businesses and saying "how could I apply that idea to my business?" So this is really a "two-for-one" book.At the very least, if you are thinking about acquiring real estate for your business this book will help you avoid the common mistakes that many small business owners make. Its a good read and well worth the small investment to get it.

This book is a great tool for small business owners. Well-written and simple to understand, this book takes you through the why's and how's of purchasing commercial real estate in order to create wealth as an adjunct to owing and operating a successful small business. Focusing primarily on the finance side of commercial real estate projects, Chris takes you step-by-step through the process of acquiring the perfect real estate for your business and especially financing your project so that your real estate helps build wealth instead of expenses. Chris also provides resources specific to your locale in the United States (Certified Development Companies and Real Estate Brokers) to get you started on the right path. A must read for any small business owner wanting to stop throwing money away at commercial leases and start making money by owning.

Hurn, realized that there were already many different resources available to help small business owners build and grow their business. Most of these resources cover topics like how to market your business, hiring the right employees, providing great customer service, and how to build your customer base. While all of these topics are important to building a successful business, none of them show business owners how to create wealth that goes beyond their day-to-day needs. This is why he decided to write this book, and share with others how to create wealth through equity. It is this type of investment that helps people go from being a good business owner to a great and wealthy business owner.