The Pampered Chef: The Story of One of America's Most Beloved Companies

Doris Christopher has given many people the opportunity to earn a living and to be their own boss. I know because I'm one of them. Even though I have been with the company for 12 years I learned so much from this book. It tells how she started the Pampered Chef with very little money and has built it into a business now owned by Warren Buffet. And if you know anything about Mr. Buffett, you know he doesn't buy unsuccessful companies. Yes it is a how-to book for starting your own business....but it is also a beautiful life story. Doris is a very humble person and this IS her story.

I couldn't put this book down! It's a must read for anyone in direct sales, considering joining direct sales, and all start up entrepreneurs. Great advice, ideas and realities. And backing from the premiere business man himself, Warren Buffet!

Doris Christopher's book invites you as a consumer, Pampered Chef consultant or even entrepreneur to think "out of the box" and dream big. Her company, launched out of a wanting to stay with her children (a mother's wish) and provide for her family is heartwarming and enlighting. There are moments that are slow and seem to drag somewhat, but it gives you encouragement that if this hometown suburban Mom can do it, you can as well.

I highly recommend this book to anyone starting a business with limited financial resources. Doris Christopher started her business with only $3,000, which she borrowed from her husband's life insurance policy. "The Pampered Chef" explains in considerable detail how to overcome obstacles along the way. Ms. Christopher teaches by example--she doesn't pull punches--she puts it all on the table. The author isn't shy when it comes to talking about her self-doubts that she had in the early stages of her business. She is very specific about telling how she nearly quit before making her first sales call. This is what I loved about this book. It's so easy to relate to because Christopher comes across as one of us. And like one of us, she had her share of anxiety; still, she pushed forward because she so strongly believed in her mission: she wanted to simplify preparing family meals so more families would dine together. This, she strongly believed, promoted a healthy lifestyle and was good for America. Christopher was driven to serve her customer first and concurrently take good care of her employees, and if there was a profit at the end of the day, that was okay too. She wasn't driven by money--only to serve others. But as her book well illustrates, if you do this, the money will follow. And did it ever for Doris Christopher. This business philosophy has made her one of America's five most successful women. While there are many lessons to be learned in this book,what I thought was the most valuable one--if you have a mission--and a passion to achieve it, and this is combined with doing good for others, you will eventually do good for yourself. Christopher is living proof. She is the perfect role model for anyone thinking about starting a new business, or for that matter, any small businessowner who is struggling to make ends meet. Follow her advice, and you'll do well. And perhaps like Christopher, succeed beyond your wildest dreams. While there are a lot of self-help books that give good advice, most of them are poorly written. This book is exceptionally well written, so much so that I had trouble putting it down. I found myself highlighting its lessons that I wanted to apply,and by the time I finished reading this book, I don't think there's a single page that isn't marked up. I plan to read and reread it, and most importantly, apply its valuable lessons to my own career. To get the most of this book, I advise you to read it with a highlighter--there are dozens and dozens of gems in it that you can use--each explained in detail and with examples demonstrating how the author did it. If you only read one book this year, make sure this is that one book!

This book is a great read and an awesome inspiration to all who have dreams that have yet to be fulfilled. Whether in business or personal life, this is a great guide book on how to overcome obstacles and prove to yourself that you can really do it!