Makers, doers, and dreamers--for decades they have turned to Inc. for help in getting their businesses off the ground. The publication's keen advice clarifies the process, while startup stories fuel aspirations and spark action. Warby Parker shook up the eyewear sector with its innovative, socially-conscious business model. Skullcandy tapped into the surfing, skateboarding, and hip-hop scenes--and built a standout audio brand. All along, Inc. was there, capturing triumphs, setbacks, and lessons learned.Now, Start a Successful Business gathers these important lessons into a single path-charting guide. From brainstorming to crowdfunding to building partnerships, the book walks new and aspiring founders through seven crucial stages: Come up with a brilliant business idea; Select the best structure and strategy for your startup; Figure out funding; Get the word out--and get customers; Dig deep to discover their wants and needs; Become an exceptional leader; Prepare to go global. Throughout, celebrated entrepreneurs share ideas that worked for them, including where Sarah Blakely got the inspiration for Spanx, how Elon Musk stays insanely productive, why Rent the Runway ditched the business plan, and how a hashtag accelerated Airbnb's success. With a fleet of trusted experts by your side, starting a business will be faster, less confusing--and a whole lot more fun.