Sunbelt Book Club

Recommended reading for small business owners or those looking to buy a business:

McIlhenny’s Gold: How a Louisiana Family Built the Tabasco Empire
Jeffrey Rothfeder, a former BusinessWeek editor, recounts Tabasco’s journey into the 21st century. Since the company’s inception in 1869, the McIlhenny family has controlled the Avery Island, Louisiana company. Rothfeder details the structure of a family owned and operated company struggling with the pressures of doing business in the 21st century. He thoroughly examines the question: Can a company survive on family tradition alone? McIlhenny’s Gold retails for $24.95.

Hug Your Customers: The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results
Jack Mitchell, co-owner and CEO of the high-end Connecticut clothing retailer Mitchells/Richards, details the customer-centric approach to doing business. Mitchell believes that personalizing service outweighs having the most inventory or the best location. He also employs the “no problem” attitude to keep customers coming back. This book retails for $19.95.