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Book SynopsisThis book isn’t just about being in business; it’s about the business of being. But when you stop to think about it, each of us is like a small business. Successful business owners implement strategies that improve their prospects for success. Similarly, as human beings, it serves us well to implement guiding principles that inspire us to live our purpose and reach our goals. The rich ganache filling that flows through the center of this book is the story of La Mandarine Bleue, a delicious depiction of how nine individuals used twelve steps of a business plan to find their vocation and undergo a transformation (with some French recipes thrown in for good measure). From a business plan and metrics to mission and goals with everything between—investors, clients and customers, marketing strategies, and goodwill development—this book clearly maps how to create personal transformation at the intersection of business and spirituality. Merging the language of business and self-help, The Business of Being will teach you how to enhance “profitability”—body, mind, and spirit.Trade Review2018 Readers' Favorites Book Awards Finalist in Non-Fiction—Self-Help 2018 International Book Awards Finalist in Self Help: Motivational “The book combines a personal guide and business manual with a culinary story . . . lays out a series of plain-sounding but persuasively thoughtful principles organized around the straightforward contention that there really isn’t much difference between the two disciplines, asking a deceptively simple question: 'Can implementing business values improve personal lives?’ . . . A lucid, step-by-step guide to personal and professional success—with vichyssoise mixed in.” —Kirkus Reviews “The Business of Being sets itself apart through engaging stories, actionable steps, and a dash of humor. Deftly closing the gap between business and spirituality, it encourages current or prospective business owners to live in alignment with inner values without compromising integrity. Those who take this book to heart will undergo a powerful transformation in both their personal and business lives.” —Stephen J. Hopson, the world's first deaf instrument-rated pilot and author of Obstacle Illusions: Transforming Adversity into Success “When we allow ourselves to show up authentically—be who we are—we’re in alignment. The Business of Being helps us unlock the power to reach our full potential and thrive.” —Rachael O’Meara, transformational leadership and executive coach, sales executive at Google, and author of Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break “The Business of Being is an important resource that will enable individuals to discover their calling and transform their personal and professional lives.” —Dr. Lynn Schmidt, leadership development expert, executive coach, keynote speaker, and award-winning coauthor of Shift Into Thrive: Six Strategies for Women to Unlock the Power of Resiliency “Laurie Buchanan is a master storyteller. In The Business of Being, she expertly weaves the development story of a French restaurant business with the exploration story of personal being. Individuals considering creative business partnerships will gain insights on charting a successful business and collaboration. However, the essence of the book is an imaginative and resource rich guide to hearing and responding to the internal call to one’s authentic raison d’etre. It offers a pleasurable recipe for stirring our personal being and responding to it.” —Audrey B. Denecke, Senior Leader Coach and Organizational Change Consultant “The Business of Being is the best silent partner I ever took on.” —Terrill Welch, gallery owner and author of Leading Raspberry Jam Visions Women’s Way: An Inside Track for Women Leaders “This gem of a book is really three books in one: a savvy guide to building a business, an engaging story of a boutique restaurant, and a coaching guide to living an intentional life. Chock full of quotes and stories and examples, The Business of Being will help you be the person (and the business) you want to be. And in doing so, she shows you how to change the world—and have fun doing so. Bravo!” —Rita Sever, author of Supervision Matters: 100 Bite-Sized Ideas to Change You and Your Team “Unlike so many others in the self-help book business, Laurie Buchanan makes no promises that you will 'think and grow rich.' Even though she uses business best practices as teaching moments, the goal is sustainability over wealth, integrity over profit, and the joy of the journey over the destination. Unlike many spiritual writers, she does not denigrate the physical world or the sensory world. In fact, quite the opposite! The business she chooses to use as the example of combining self and business is a restaurant, featuring the most sensory of all cuisines—French. I found myself totally absorbed in the story of how La Mandarine Bleue came into existence as an extension of relationships among talented friends whose love of good food and wine, and whose shared values but varied gifts, make a compelling story that illustrates the thesis.” —Shirley Hershey Showalter, former president of, and professor at, Goshen College, and author of Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World

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