hbr guide to buying a small business

Amber Cole is a 31-year-old stripper. With her prime years in the industry slipping away, she’s aware that soon her looks will no longer be enough to make the money she needs to survive. Struggling with her self-worth and looking for a way out, Amber’s world is about to be upended when she meets Ryan Carter, a cold, successful businessman from Chicago. Ryan, reeling from his fiancée's betrayal, is forced into a bizarre deal by a clause in his late grandfather’s will: he must marry and stay married for one year. When his best friend, Tom, suggests he hire a stripper to pretend to be his fiancée, Ryan reluctantly agrees. He picks Amber, offering her $500,000 for her time. Unaware of the deep complexities of her own emotions, Amber agrees, seeing the money as her ticket to a fresh start. Despite their differences — Ryan's polished world of wealth and Amber's gritty, down-to-earth life — they are drawn into a tense, fiery dynamic that forces both to confront their prejudices and assumptions. Amber start their arrangement, initially unaware of the emotional journey she’s about to embark on. As she undergoes a transformation, both physically and emotionally, Ryan begins to question his initial perception of her, discovering that beneath her tough exterior, Amber is more than just a stripper. As the months pass, their relationship evolves from contractual obligation to something far more complicated. Sparks fly, but so do their insecurities. Amber finds herself falling for Ryan, but can she ever be the woman he needs her to be? And can Ryan truly let go of his past and embrace the real, messy woman Amber has become?

Arya is a young Omega living in a world where Omegas don’t mean much. Abandoned by her family she has been raised in an Institution for Omegas and sold at an auction. Her buyer appears to be a mysterious rich merchant who enjoys BDSM. However he decides to buy a well educated Omega to mark his presence in the local society. They start to live together and lots of tension and awkward situations appear.

Taken in as a son-in-law, he led a miserable life. The moment he gained power, both his mother-in-law and sister-in-law kneeled down in front of him.His mother-in-law begged him, “Please don’t leave my daughter.”His sister-in-law said, “Brother-in-law, I was wrong…”

Stefan's eyes shot up in time to see Sky standing at the foot of the stairs. Stefan's lips fell apart at the sight before him. Standing in all his glory was the beautiful, flawless, shirtless and sexy as all fuck, Sky. His eyes a perfect baby blue, the sparkles all gone yet they held Stefan captive. Sky was bigger, his toned chest flex with well-defined muscles, his lips a full sexy red color, his long honey brown hair gliding down smoothly to his shoulders. God, he was breath taken beautiful. Stefan was on his feet before he knew it, he was walking towards his price, the pull too strong to ignore like a magnet attracted to the other one. ****

Atasha Quinn thought she had a perfectly planned life not until a promise from the past hunts her down. Atasha has one goal in life and that is to become a well-known neurosurgeon but when Conrad Sawyer appeared in the picture her dreams came crashing down because Conrad made her realize that her life is full of lies. Atasha refused to accept her written fate but no matter how hard she tries to deny she can't change the fact that she is bound to marry Conrad, a ruthless Mafia who messed up everything. Atasha was forced to live in a world where she was told what to do but when secrets from the past unveils she found the strength to fight and get her sweetest revenge. Will love sprout when one's heart is filled with hate and pain?

Rosalie wanted a peaceful married life away from Aiden her husband a blood thirsty , a cruel, vicious perverted Alpha , after she marries him in place of her sister but things go out of loop when Aiden with his dominating Alpha vibes rattles her wolf so bad - enough to make her wolf and her to desire him. She wanted to stay away from him because she knew he can never give her his heart but unfortunately she is drawn towards him against her will.Alpha Aiden finds his little wife intriguing with her spit fire temper and the way she looks his way makes him feel things he never did . He wants to own her , posses her - heart and soul but the more he wants her the further she hides herself from him . And isn't a saying that goes- the more you can't have something the more you want to claim it ? Run , little wifey because Alpha Aiden is coming to get you prologue :- Rosalie woke after a very long dream , a dream that showed her , her future .Hated by her family , she is sold off to marry a bloodthirsty Alpha,Aiden Cullen in place of her elder sister Anna.Aiden Cullen,famous for his cruel nature having killed his own mate , he lives a life full of debauchery .With a husband like that , Rosalie only wishes to live a quite life being ignored by him and his mistress.But his mistress won't leave her alone and what did her husband means by saying that he loves her alone and will treat her better ? She just wanted a peaceful life! What is with her husband infinite pampering ?

"I had a conversation with Death and he wants you back." --- At the New Year's Eve party, Reniella De Vega finds the dead body of Deshawn Cervantes, the resident golden boy and incredibly rich student from Zobel College for Boys, his death was no accident. By morning, Rei sees him again - seemingly alive and sitting in the corner of her bedroom. However, only she can see him. Haunted by the ghost of Deshawn Cervantes, Rei is approached by Death himself with a dangerous proposition. If she can solve the mystery of his murder, she'll be granted a single wish - to wish someone back to life. With the help of meandering rumors, his suspicious rich friends, and the help of the victim himself, can Rei uncover the truth? Or will Deshawn Cervantes remain as a wandering soul? How can Reniella De Vega save his life?

Indulge in a thrilling tale of deception, redemption, and unexpected passion in "Letters to a Dangerous Billionaire." Leilani, a young woman shackled by neglect and despair, takes a daring leap towards freedom by pouring her frustrations into a final farewell. Little did she know that her letter would reach the hands of a mysterious stranger—an anonymous figure who would ignite a fire in her soul. With each exchange, their connection deepens, and against all odds, they decide to meet. But the shocking truth that awaits Leilani shatters her heart into shards of betrayal. Unveiling the dangerous billionaire criminal behind the letters, she realizes her life will never be the same again. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as one woman's destiny intertwines with a ruthless delinquent billionaire, setting off a chain of events that will leave you breathless and begging for more.

"This birthday has been absolutely amazing" he said wrapping his arms around my waist and putting his chin just above my right shoulder. "Bub, we barely just started" I chuckled. "Yeah but just looking at this beautiful view with you is more than enough to make me happy" he stated. I smiled then turned around so I'm facing him. I pulled down our mask since there weren't anyone else around. I gave him a kiss on the lips. "You realize how much I love you, right?" I said. He smiled. "How much do you love me?" he asked cheekily. "If I'm being honest, I love you more than love itself" I started making him smile wide. "I love you more than how much I love the scent of vanilla" I said. "I love you more than how much I love the moon and the stars" I continued. "I love you more than how much I love listening to music" I added. "Lastly, I love you more than I can ever love myself" I confessed. He looked at me lovingly. "Brielle" he said softly. "Yes?" I replied. "Will you marry me?" he asked. My heart skipped a beat. "Yes" I said. _ Gabrielle Margareth Rivero is a multi-talented woman. She travels thousands of kilometers away from home to work and achieve her dreams. What she thought was going to be a simple, laid-back and independent life in another country becomes one full with modelling, acting and guesting offers after her name ends up on the news. But then , her plan to stay single for who knows how long ends up in the gutter when she suddenly meets the guy of her dreams; Theodore King, a superstar and billionaire with the visual and charisma of a God and a heart of an angel.

Leena Mills is a plus-size she-wolf who's wolf has refused to shift due to the humiliation she faces as an omega that looks different from the rest of the pack. What's worse is that her father is the Alpha and encourages her brutal existence. When Damon Saxe, the Lycan King goes on a mission to wipe out the Silver Stone pack because of the corrupt Alpha Lancaster Mills, he never expected to meet his fated mate, nevertheless the omega. Their troubles aren't finished yet. They must fight their biggest enemy yet and find out truths about themselves they weren't ready for. In this thrilling, dark, and erotic novel, fall deep within a world where societal norms no longer matter as Leena discovers true self-love and true love along the way.