'The Eventual Millionaire' is Released

For many people, starting a business is one of the best ways to achieve both wealth and the personal goals that they have set for themselves. Many people want to become entrepreneurs at some point, but lack confidence in their ability to run a business. The truth is, though, that anyone can start their own company. In her new book, "The Eventual Millionaire: How Anyone Can Be an Entrepreneur and Successfully Grow Their Startup" (WILEY: February 2014; Hardcover & e-book: $27.95: ISBN: 978-1-118-67470-3), business coach Jaime Tardy explains that money is not the true key to happiness, but it is something that someone can accumulate along their journey toward a fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle.

At 22 years old, author Tardy had all of the trappings of success. Two new cars, a house with a pool-these material possessions made her life look picture perfect from the outside. But from the inside, Tardy realized just how unhappy she was. With $70,000 in debt and a job that she hated, she made the decision to get out and start living for herself. Just 16 months later, she was debt-free. She now works part time doing work she loves and makes more than her stressful corporate job ever paid her.

The first question that people ask when they hear Tardy's story is, "How did she do it?" In "The Eventual Millionaire" she answers this question and shares her secrets that can help anyone transform their life. Not only does this book explain her exact steps, but it also distills the advice from over 120 millionaires that successfully have grown their startups.

"After interviewing more than 120 millionaires, I can easily say that there are patterns to success. So many similar stories and struggles have come up in the course of years of studying them," says Tardy. "I can also easily say that calling them millionaires almost seems trite, because they are utterly amazing people, and their net worth does not define them."

More and more people around the world are becoming entrepreneurs, according to a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2011 report. The world's so-called "innovation-driven" economies saw an increase of 22% in early-stage entrepreneurship in 2011 over the year before, as measured by the number of people operating a business that's less than 3.5 years old. In the United States, entrepreneurial activity increased a whopping 60% in 2011 from 2010. The boost in US entrepreneurship is somewhat of a mixed indicator, signaling that while the economy is improving, some people are turning to entrepreneurship because it's becoming evident that some jobs may never come back. People want to build a business for their own security, to build wealth, to have a retirement account, to help create jobs, and to make their lives more meaningful. But, these same people need to hear from others who have done it. They need practical advice and how-to's, but they also need the inspiration.

"An eventual millionaire is someone with a goal to be a millionaire, eventually. But they want to do it on their own terms-with an enjoyable life and an enjoyable business," explains Tardy. "Eventual millionaires are everywhere, from an airplane pilot looking to start his own business for more freedom and money, to a student looking to start her life on the right foot, to a successful business owner needing inspiration and wondering how to take her business to the next level."

There are many ways to become a millionaire, but research has often shown that creating your own business is one of the best ways to build wealth. Wealthy households are more likely than others to be headed by a business owner, according to the Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurial Leadership. "The Eventual Millionaire" lays the foundation for those looking to start their own business and work their way toward financial independence and a fulfilled life.

Tardy adds, "We all want to be successful and enjoy financial security, but we don't know how, don't think we can do it, or aren't willing to sacrifice everything for it. This book is a culmination of all that I've learned since those days when I was unhappy in my job. This is the book I wish I'd had during that time. Interviewing these millionaires has afforded me more knowledge about money and happiness than I ever dreamed of. How you spend your days, and what you contribute to the world matters. So why do we give that all up in the pursuit of money? Don't get me wrong; the money matters, too. But you should strive for a life where you can make decisions based on what's best, not on whether you have the money. Life first, then money."

About the author
JAIME TARDY is a business coach and speaker who helps entrepreneurs to achieve their goals. She is the founder of EventualMillionaire.com, a website that features a new millionaire interview each week that focuses on personal finance and entrepreneurship. She made her exit from the corporate world after finding herself $70,000 in debt and realizing that she hated her job. With an ambitious goal and a strategic plan, she was out of debt and out of the job she hated in just 16 months. Now, Tardy is helping others to find freedom, money and work they love. She has been featured on CNN, MSN, Kiplinger's, Fox Business and Yahoo!'s homepage.

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