<p><b>Think big, buy small.</b></p><p>Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own start-up seem too risky? There is a radical third path open to you: You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Purchasing a small company offers significant financial rewards¿as well as personal and professional fulfillment. Leading a firm means you can be your own boss, put your executive skills to work, fashion a company environment that meets your own needs, and profit directly from your success.</p><p>But finding the right business to buy and closing the deal isn''t always easy. In the <b><i>HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business</i></b>, Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff help you:<ul><li>Determine if this path is right for you<li>Raise capital for your acquisition<li>Find and evaluate the right prospects<li>Avoid the pitfalls that could derail your search<li>Understand why a "dull" business might be the best investment