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Don't Suck at Business: How to build a formidable business with speed, strategy, and a healthy dose of sarcasm by Kara Laws

November 19, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Kara Laws

Book Review

Don't Suck at Business: How to build a formidable business with speed, strategy, and a healthy dose of sarcasm, written by Kara Laws, is a business book for the brave humans who want to create a successful business but have exactly zero idea how to make said money and hold onto their sanity. This book is for the people who don't know ridiculous terms like COA, ROI, CRM, KPI, CMS, TOF, etc. This book is for the average small business owner who isn't sure they know what they are doing or how they thought they could start a business anyway. Most small business owners feel a little lost and in over their heads. Welcome! You are not alone.


Kara Laws has written her new book, Don't Suck at Business: How to build a formidable business with speed, strategy, and a healthy dose of sarcasm, for all those business owners who don't take themselves too seriously, who want to laugh, and who want to make money. She believes that building a business is different than simply selling some stuff - instead, starting a real business requires so much more than having a product. The “so much more” is what this book is about. And it is more than that. Don't Suck at Business is a step-by-step guide to creating a solid business foundation. A solid business foundation saves you time, makes you more money, and helps you avoid expensive mistakes.

Kara says that Don't Suck at Business is not a lecture, it is not a book of her achievements. Instead it’s a book that brings a combination of Humor, Sarcasm, Step-by-step guidance and Empathy. It is written for the everyday business owner who is busting their butt every hour of the day. This is for the business owner who is tired of making mistakes, tired of ending up in sticky situations. Countless business owners find themselves in sticky situations. This is the business book hundreds of business owners asked Kara to write when they realized those sticky situations were avoidable.

Author Quotes

This book is for the average small business owner. The regular Jane/Joe who isn't sure they know what the crap they are doing or how they thought they could start a business anyway. 

Most small business owners feel a little lost and in over their heads. Welcome! You are not alone.

This book is for business owners who don't take themselves too seriously, who want to laugh, and who want to make money.

There are humans all over the world who want profitable businesses but have no idea how to get there. If you are one of those humans, this book is for you.

About the author

Kara Laws is a business educator and the founder of LaunchedAcademy.com. Kara has built six businesses, sold four, and still runs two. Kara has worked with over 600 business owners and has personally coached some to hit over 1 million in revenue. Kara wrote her book Don’t Suck at Business because she was getting the same feedback from the women that she taught. Kara created a program and wrote a book to teach business owners HOW. How to open a business, how to avoid expensive mistakes, how to start growing, and how to do everything in the right order. Kara’s wit and sarcasm that got her in trouble in grade school are what she uses to keep business owners from falling asleep today.

www.launchedacademy.com


Why LoA loves it…

As women entrepreneurs, we need to constantly keep ourselves open to new ideas, new insights, new approaches that will help us to build our businesses and grow them to become the success stories we envision. Kara Laws brings a breath of fresh air to business coaching, helping entrepreneurs to navigate the world of business building and avoid making the usual mistakes that can be costly, time consuming and energy sapping. If you are looking to read a different kind of business book, one that combines advice and information with a good dose of humour included, then Kara’s new book could be for you. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene
Image of the Day / Ruahh

Heritage-inspired accessories…Michelle Hammond is the founder and ceo of accessories brand, Ruahh. Her Ghanaian heritage has provided a rich source of inspiration and symbolism that she is rightly proud of. Today, Mic
Image of the Day / Dvyn Treat Batamba’s

Premium Coffee Experience…We love a great cup of coffee in a morning at Lionesses of Africa, and so we are fans of Dvyn Treat Batamba’s great coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene Image of the Day / Ruahh

Heritage-inspired accessories…Michelle Hammond is the founder and ceo of accessories brand, Ruahh. Her Ghanaian heritage has provided a rich source of inspiration and symbolism that she is rightly proud of. Today, Mic Image of the Day / Dvyn Treat Batamba’s

Premium Coffee Experience…We love a great cup of coffee in a morning at Lionesses of Africa, and so we are fans of Dvyn Treat Batamba’s great coffee brand in Mozambique, co-founded by Emilia

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation
Gladys Kgorane, an entrepreneur creating special events and wellness retreats for those looking for rest and relaxation

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
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The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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