Doug Hickok

Biography

Doug Hickok has been an entrepreneur for most of his working life, but he started out with a full-time job. When he realized that he no longer enjoyed being employed by others he quit and decided to start his own business.

That business failed, and so did the second one. it took a while for him to learn enough to start having some success.

Three of the biggest things Doug learned about owning a business were:

1. Winging it without a plan doesn't work
2. Dealing with employees is the hardest part of it
3. You need to know a fair amount about what business is and how it works before you can run one right

Today Doug Hickok is an an Executive Coach, and his company–Smart Strategy Consulting–works with other entrepreneurial companies to develop the leadership skills of their top people. Doug has a background in psychology and organizational development, and he is committed to help his clients to acquire excellent people skills to match their already-formidable business skills.

He also teaches business management classes sometimes at the University of Richmond Robins School of Business in Richmond, Virginia.

Doug lives with his wife Betsy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Smashwords Interview

How long have you been writing?
I actually started writing very short stories in the fifth grade. My dad was so proud of that, and remembered the names of the lead characters for the rest of his 86 years.

I was also the school radio announcer, and went on to a first career in broadcast news. Back then you wrote your own news copy—no excuses, no writer's block. You were on-air in ten minutes and had to come up with polished copy in that time. The experience was invaluable, and to this day the actual writing part comes quickly to me.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a little town in western New York state, and I went to prep school in New England. I knew rural life, and I also knew prep life in Connecticut. I think this background has given me a wide view of people and places, which is very helpful in writing, and in navigating life.
Read more of this interview.

Books

How to Succeed With Your Great Business Idea: A Smart Strategy Book for Entrepreneurs
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 29,910. Language: English. Published: May 14, 2015 . Categories: Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Consulting, Nonfiction » Business & Economics » New business enterprises
This is the book for everyone who has a great business idea and wonders what to do with it. Should you act on it and start a business or not? If so, how? Read this book for a step-by-step guide about what to do (or not do) about your business idea.