Series lets Oklahoma startups tell their stories

Colbert native Jeretta Horn Nord is a professor with the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University, but she has always been an entrepreneur. She’s dabbled in real estate, developed personalized birthday cards, sold nutritional supplements and owned a hair and nail salon.

Earlier this year, Nord, 53, tackled another endeavor — a book series specifically for entrepreneurs and those aspiring to become one.

"A Cup of Cappuccino for the Entrepreneur’s Spirit, Volume I,” is a compilation of stories from entrepreneurs from 18 states — including some familiar names from Oklahoma — and five countries.

The goal of the book, and the entire series, is to educate and inspire entrepreneurs as they learn how others, telling stories in their own words, overcame challenges to become successful.

One common theme among the stories is the entrepreneurs’ passion for their pursuits. That, and a good work ethic, has been the key to their success and "makes it not feel like work,” Nord said. Volume II, which Nord co-authored with Cindy Patterson Thompson, also was recently published.

The books are available at Full Circle Bookstore and online at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Future books planned for the series will include stories from disabled entrepreneurs and "momtrepreneurs.”

By the way, the blog Winning Workplaces named Volume I as one of the top 20 recommended books for an office stocking stuffer.